Grape Of The Week: Catarratto
A grape native to Sicily, Catarratto is a high-yielding white wine grape that is light and easy to drink. Often found in blends, Marsala wine, and Vermouth, Catarratto is spread across about 29,500 hectares of vineyards. With notes of lemon, honey, apple, peach, dried flowers, and sage, Catarratto is excellent alongside light fish dishes, antipasti, and spicy fare.
Originally thought to be two different varieties, Catarratto Bianco Comune and Catarratto Bianco Lucido were proven to be genetically identical with a DNA test in 2008. Instead, it was discovered that they were in fact clones of the same varietal. Catarratto Bianco Comune is higher in sugar and lower in acid, and can be commonly found in bulk wines. While Catarratto Bianco Lucido produces medium to full-bodied white wines.
Check out these Italian Catarratto wines:
Pietro Caciorgna Guardolivento Etna Bianco 2021
Sambucese Catarratto Chardonnay 2021
Grape Photo Courtesy of Pietro Caciorgna
