(Picture shown not correct vintage)
Catarratto is an Italian white grape variety native to Sicily where it is the most widely planted variety. Outside of Sicily it is still one of the most widely planted grape varieties and often used as a component of marsala wine. This dry white wine version under the Mandoletto label of Fazio Winery and distributed in Australia by Fourth Wave Wines is a rather rare find and inexpensive to try at least once.
It is light yellow and slightly gold in colour and has a rather light aroma with nothing in particular worth sticking your nose in the glass to experience. It has a nice flavour with elements of pear, green apple and stone fruits. It is not as acidic as many Italian white wines often are so it can be enjoyed on its own as much as it would be a great accompaniment to things like seafood, light pasta or salads.
Interestingly, I read some other reviews of other Catarratto wines and words such as 'unusual' and 'different 'seemed to be rather common. I like the wine myself but I can tell that this will be a wine with a divided opinion.
Mandoletto 2011 Catarratto
Price - $9.99 from WineStar
Region - Sicily, Italy
Final Sip - At $9.99 you don't have much to loose by giving it a try. I also find imported wines like this that punch well above their price point great gifts as people will think you spent far more just because it's 'imported'.
