🍇 Damaschino

Damaschino is a white wine and table grape from Spain. In the VIVC catalogue it is listed under the prime name Planta Fina, and the name Damaschino is among its synonyms.

According to DNA markers recorded in VIVC, one of its parents is Heben; the other is unknown.

Italy's National Register of Grapevine Varieties lists it under code 72, admitted on 22 March 1971. The register lists the variety as permitted in 4 DOC and 6 IGT wines, among them Delia Nivolelli, Marsala, Menfi and Sicilia. 1 clone of it is registered.

According to VIVC, it covered 1,167 ha in Portugal (2010), 384 ha in Italy (2000) and 227 ha in Spain (2008). Samples of the variety are kept in 19 collections. The variety is registered in the European catalogue of varieties.

Why it matters to you. VIVC lists 86 synonyms for it, among them Abbotta Pezzenti, Alicante and Arratalau Bianco, so the same grape can turn up under other names. If a grape is named on the label of an EU wine, it makes up at least 85% of that wine.

Marsala's vineyards leaned on Damaschino when they were replanted after phylloxera. Later it gave way, bit by bit, to Catarratto, which copes better with mildew and rot. It still has a place in Marsala DOC, where it may be used alongside Grillo, Catarratto and Inzolia. The first written record dates from 1868, when G. Mendola of Agrigento catalogued it. The name hints at Damascus, but where the vine really comes from is anyone's guess.