Catarratto

Sicilian white grape variety that may well be the most widely planted grape variety in Italy. According to the 2010 Italian grape census, which distinguishes between Catarratto Bianco Comune and the less common but better quality Catarratto Bianco Lucido, probably two clones of the same variety, plantings still totalled 34,793 ha/ nearly 86,000 acres, despite eu efforts to diminish this total. The variety is planted almost exclusively in the far western province of Trapani and was in the past much used for the production of marsala. Today, it can be expected that much of the vine’s produce is regarded as surplus and is therefore either compulsorily distilled by the eu, or transformed into grape concentrate. Despite its profusion, the variety is specified in the regulations of just three doc zones; familiarity seems to have bred the usual contempt from locals. See sicily for more details.