Damaschino

The Damaschino grape is an ancient and rare white variety whose origins remain uncertain and fascinating. Its very name suggests a possible connection to the city of Damascus, leading many scholars to hypothesize a Syrian origin. According to tradition, the vine was introduced to Sicily during the period of Arab domination (9th–11th centuries), eventually finding its ideal home in the area of Trapani, on the island’s western coast.

The first documented reference to the Damaschino vine dates back to 1868, when it was mentioned by the noted ampelographer G. Mendola of Agrigento, who studied and catalogued many of Sicily’s native grape varieties. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Damaschino played an important role in the reconstruction of vineyards in Marsala that had been devastated by phylloxera. Its wines were particularly appreciated for their freshness and were considered excellent companions to seafood dishes.

Over time, however, the Damaschino grape was gradually replaced by the more resistant Catarratto, a variety better able to withstand mildew and rot. Despite its decline, the Damaschino has never completely disappeared. It is still officially included among the grape varieties allowed for the production of Marsala DOC, where it contributes to the authenticity and historical continuity of this world-famous fortified wine.

The Damaschino vine is known for its vigour and high productivity, making it attractive to growers in past centuries. Its berries are white, medium to medium-large in size, spheroid in shape, with a waxy but rather thin skin. The colour is greenish-yellow, often developing brownish freckles on the side most exposed to the sun. The bunches are large to very large, typically pyramidal or conical-pyramidal in shape, often winged and usually compact. The leaves are broad, orbicular, and sometimes kidney-shaped, with 5 to 11 lobes depending on the specimen.

Wines made from the Damaschino grape are pale straw-yellow in colour, bright and inviting in the glass. On the nose, they offer an intense and fruity aroma, often with fresh orchard fruit notes. On the palate, Damaschino wines are light-bodied, smooth, and easy to drink, making them excellent everyday wines and perfect with fish and seafood cuisine, which has always been central to Sicilian gastronomy.