Catarratto, Sicily's most widely planted white grape, is finally stepping out of the shadows. Accounting for roughly a third of the island's vineyards and ranking as Italy's second most planted grape after sangiovese, it has long been the unsung hero of white wines. For decades, catarratto was destined for bulk wine, anonymous table wines, or as a component in better-known Sicilian denominations like fortified marsala or Etna bianco, where it supported other indigenous grapes such as grillo or carricante.
From supporting role to lead star
In the 2010s, catarratto became a staple house white in many London restaurants, particularly in Hackney, and it frequently appears in sub-£15 natural white wines at independent bottle shops. However, many consumers who buy wine from larger retailers and enjoy fruity, sun-soaked whites have unknowingly been drinking catarratto. Modern producers are now crafting more complex catarrattos that express their terroirs, whether volcanic, maritime, or from the rolling hills around Alcamo in northwestern Sicily.
A versatile wine for any occasion
Catarratto offers ripe pear, peach, lemon, and almond notes that appeal to a wide audience. It remains a favorite on wine lists for its fun, affordable, and crowdpleasing nature. Supermarkets are also championing it: the Purato organic catarratto/pinot grigio blend from Ocado celebrates its component parts, while Vinca's Organic White Wine explicitly mentions "100% catarratto grapes" on its packaging and is available in aluminium bottles from Tesco for just £8.50. The Biddizza unfiltered amber wine from Adnams, in a party-friendly litre bottle, showcases another facet of this grape.
Small producers shine
Nino Barraco, a natural winemaker based in Marsala, is a titan of Sicilian wine. He makes single-vineyard wines with indigenous grapes and wild yeasts. His Biancomatte 2025, a one-off wine made when his new bush catarratto failed to reach full ripeness, is light, bright, mineral, and wonderful. It is available for £22.50 from Sip Wines and is a limited edition worth seeking out.
Four catarrattos to try
- Fazoli Gino Biddizza Catarratto – £17.99 (1 litre) at Adnams, 13%. A peachy and food-versatile orange catarratto perfect for alfresco parties.
- Biancomatto Barraco 2025 – £22.50 at Sip Wines, 9.5%. A beautiful oops resulting from a bad year for the winemaker's young bush catarratto.
- Purato Organic Catarratto Pinot Grigio – £10.75 at Ocado, 11%. A blend with round, fruit-forward catarratto character.
- Tule Bianco Catarratto 2024 – £11.10 at The Sourcing Table, 12%. An unfiltered, mineral wine from the Alcamo heartland that pairs with everything.
