Catarratto is the most important white wine variety in Sicily and, together with the plantings on the mainland, occupies second place among white wines in Italy's grape variety statistics. The variety comes in two variants, Catarratto Commune and Catarratto BIanco Lucido. The two were previously thought to be independent grape varieties, but scientific studies have shown that they are just two different clones that have close relationships with Garganega, another important white wine variety in Italy. The variety, which ripens later rather than earlier, was first mentioned in 1696 and is considered to be very fertile and vigorous, so yield restrictions are essential for quality wines. The Catarratto is quite resistant to fungal diseases, but the Lucido variant in particular is susceptible to rot. There are currently around 41,000 hectares of Catarratto in Sicily, over 85 percent of which is made up of the Commune variety alone. The wines of Catarratto can be quite simply structured and rustic, but over the last decade some producers have proven that with careful and uncompromising work in the vineyard and cellar, very interesting wines can be made from them. Outside Italy there are still around 80 hectares of Catarratto in California.
This grape variety is also known by the name of:
Cataratto Carteddaro, Cataratto Bianco Nostrale, Catarrato Lucido, Catarratto Bertolaro, Catarratto Bianco Extra Lucido, Catarratto Bianco Latino, Catarratto Bianco Comune, Cattaratto Commune, Catarratto Bianco Lucido, Catarratto Bertolare, Catarratto Bianco Lustro, Catarratto Bianco Nostrale Catar, Cataratto Bertolaro, Cataratto Bianco Latino, Castellaro
