Molise, the second smallest of Italy's 20 regions, is enclosed by the south-central regions of Abruzzo, Lazio and Campania after Valle d'Aosta in the north-west corner. It is known as Italy's "last" hidden place, a place where time seems to stop flowing, an amber that solidifies the beauty of Italy's independence. There is no bustle of tourists, here you can hear the breath of nature.
In Italian history, Molise has been on the margins. In ancient times, the area was home to the Samnites. In the 3rd century BC, this mysterious tribe fought many battles against the Romans but was conquered by them. The isolation of the mountains also seems to have kept away later rulers, including the Lombards, Normans, and Bourbons.
In 1861, Molise was annexed to the borders of the Kingdom of Italy, and after the Second World War it was part of the Abruzzo e Molise region, but in 1963 it was separated from Abruzzo to become the youngest region in Italy.
However, in recent years, "unknown" has instead become a selling point for Morise out of the circle. It gradually reveals its true essence to the world, and becomes a fascinating destination for those who want to escape from cyber cities.
Lake Castel Lago di Castel
The mystery of the terroir
Molise is located between the Apennines and the Adriatic Sea, with a long and narrow coastal oceanic climate, a temperate climate in the upper valleys, and a continental climate in the inland mountains. The landscape of Molise is also very similar to that of Abruzzo, with extraordinary mountains and hills, and a variety of microclimates due to the variety of terrain and altitude.
The soil is composed of moraine and calcareous soils, which have ideal water retention properties and give the grapes a unique mineral character.
Wine regions
There are now 4 DOCs in the Molise area. Although it may seem like the end of the world, the history of winemaking here dates back to 500 BC. After breaking away from Abruzzo, Molise finally had three appellations of his own at the end of the 20th century.
molise doc
biferno doc
pentro di isernia doc
This was followed in 2011 by the establishment of:
tintilia del molise doc
Created in 1998, Molise DOC allows the production of white, rosé and red wines, and is the only sparkling wine DOC in Molise. It is now about 187 hectares (2019). Regulations require at least 85% of the respective grape varieties in the case of monowinery. The breed includes many of the mainstream varieties in south-central Italy, including:
The main white grape varieties are:
- Chardonnay Chardonnay
- Falanghina
- Fiano
- Greco Bianco White Greco
- Malvasia
- Moscato Bianco White Moscato
- Pinot Bianco Pinot Blanc
- Pinot Grigio Gris
- Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc
- trebbiano d'Abruzzo Abruzzo Tabiano
The main red grape varieties are:
- aglianico Anianico
- Sangiovese
- Montepulciano
- Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon
- Pinot Nero Noir
- Merlot Meno
In Molise, the wine meets the local food. Fresh and refreshing white and sparkling wines are a great accompaniment to rich vegetables and fatty seafood.
Fruity rosés and young wines complement the delicious cured meats and cheeses, cold cuts and pastas, while a well-structured reserve wine with a long finish can't miss the rich stews and offal
Morise, its landscapes, its food, its wines, everything is waiting to be explored.
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