Collection: Cataract

Catarratto is a white grape variety that has its home in Sicilia. This is where the grape has its deepest roots, and it is also from here that we source it. At Copenhagen Wine we carry exclusively Catarratto from Italy, more specifically from Sicilia, where the variety is among the island's most widely planted white grapes.

Catarratto has traditionally been a workhorse in the Sicilian wine landscape, often cultivated on a large scale and used as the basis for blends. The grape is known for a relatively neutral character, but it is precisely that neutrality that has become a strength in the hands of winemakers who want to work with terroir and technique rather than powerful grape aroma. The variety also has good resistance and an early to mid-season ripening, which suits the warm Sicilian climate well.

Today you encounter Catarratto both as a single varietal and as part of blends. The wines we carry show how the variety can range from the fresh and straightforward to the more structured and contemplative. When the grape receives extra attention in the cellar, for example through barrel ageing or fermentation on the skins, it can develop more body and complexity than the neutral base grape would immediately suggest. This produces white wines with a slight nerve and a clear Sicilian character.

Catarratto is a good choice if you fancy exploring the white wines that belong to that particular island. If you enjoy uncomplicated, fresh white wines for everyday, you will find them here, and if you are curious about the more worked expressions, the variety can also surprise you. Either way you get a piece of Sicilian wine culture in your glass, from a variety that is increasingly being taken seriously on its own terms.