This wine is composed of 70% Catarratto and 30% Chardonnay. I've never
heard of Catarratto (though "catarro" is Spanish for a cold). I tried
it at the store; my notes said it had chardonnay on the nose, and pinot
grigio on the palate. I tried it with some grilled swordfish, recalling
that at a restaurant that used to be, I often have pinot grigio to go
with their swordfish. (Their wine selection was a bit limited)

Well, it didn't here. The swordfish has a nice sweetness but this wine
has a dry acidic finish in back (the "pinot grigio" note) which did not
go well with it. The half bottle I had left I put in a half-bottle and
corked it for later, with almost no air in the ullage.

Today, a month and a half later, I'm happy to say the wine held up fine
in the fridge. I tried it with crabcakes (and yams and spinach), with
the same result. Again the crab meat has a sweetness to it that just
does not abide the harsh finish of this wine.

The notes for this wine (given to me at the store where it was a wine
club selection) said "This is an excellent match for fish and
shellfish". Well, I'm going to have a word with the winemonger about that.

As the last of the glass was disappearing, my wife suggested I try it
with anchovies - there were anchovies in the salad.

Ding! Perfect match. The wine is downright mellow with anchovies and
mustard vinigarette dressing. The last quarter bottle will be saved for
when we have pasta with asparagus and mustard-anchovy sauce. (I have it
in a split, also corked with almost no air).

Jose
--
Humans are pack animals. Above all things, they have a deep need to
follow something, be it a leader, a creed, or a mob. Whosoever fully
understands this holds the world in his hands.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

A new one to me. Wher eis it from?
Thanks for notes

A new one to me. Wher eis it from?
Thanks for notes

It's Italian. Here are the notes given to me by the wine sto

"Tenuta Rapitala, situated in the area of Camporeale in Sicily, is made
up of 70 acres, and extends over gentle hills. The perfect aspect and
the special composition of the soil in this region make it ideal for the
cultivation of fine wine varietals. Rapitala is named for the river
that runs through the property - Casalj is the ancient name of Tenuta
Rapitala. The grape composition for htis quite refreshing and
distinctive wine is 70% Catarratto (a native Sicilian varietal) and 30%
Chardonnay. The wine displays an intriguing array of rich viscocity
with a crisp freshness. Floral and citrus notes are found on the nose,
and the color is pale gold. The flavor is full and round, and its
somewhat higher degree of aciticy lends elegance and finesse. This is
an excellent match for fish and shellfish."

I take issue with some of this. It is however an excellent match for
anchovy, and probably other similar fish (sardines come to mind). It
may well do ok with wasabi, but I think there are better matches for sushi.

Jose
--
Humans are pack animals. Above all things, they have a deep need to
follow something, be it a leader, a creed, or a mob. Whosoever fully
understands this holds the world in his hands.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

See:

http://www.stratsplace.com/hawkins/wgg.html#cat

CATARRATO BIANCO:
Variety native to Sicily where it is found widely grown along the
western coast. Usually blended with Grillo and the Inzolia white wines
to create versions of historically interesting "Marsala" wine in
several dry, or sweet dessert, styles. Also grown in Tunisia where its
fruit is made into a wine subsequently blended with Rassegui to make a
white wine claimed to be vaguely taste reminiscent of Welschriesling
concoctions.

CATARRATO NERO:
Winegrape variety grown in Italy and elsewhere. Has synonym name
Greani. (No other details as yet).