Molise (10)

Molise Wine: There is still something to discover here.

The characterful red wines made from the Aglianico and Montepulciano grape varieties, as well as the lively white wines from Greco Bianco and Falanghina, deserve your attention. Discover the first-class red and white Molise wine here in the offer from VINELLO.

Location and Geography of the Molise Wine Region

Molise is one of the smallest Italian wine regions. It extends across the southern Italian provinces of Campobasso and Isernia. To the north are the Abruzzo, to the west Lazio, and to the southwest Campania. A sandy coastline of the Adriatic measuring 35 kilometers forms the eastern border. To the southeast, Apulia borders Molise between the Adriatic and Campania. 

Geographically, the region is divided from west to east into the mountain ranges of Alto Molise in Isernia, the hilly land of Basso Molise in Campobasso, and the immediate coastal areas. The Alto Molise is part of the Apennines and enchants its visitors with intact natural landscapes and picturesque small mountain villages. 

Viticulture spans from the foothills of the mountains to the sea, with most wine being cultivated in the hilly areas of Basso Molise at altitudes of up to 600 meters. A fragmented structure prevails. Many wineries occupy an area of only one hectare or even less. However, there are also some large producers like the Di Majo Norante winery, which has 125 hectares available for the cultivation of Molise wine.

Climate and Soil in Molise

In the province of Isernia, a continental mountain climate prevails with sub-zero temperatures and snow in winter. The lower coastal areas of the region have a milder climate. They are more greatly influenced by the temperate effects of the Adriatic. During the summer months, daytime temperatures here range from 27 to 29 °C. During the winter season, the thermometer rarely falls below freezing at night. In the wine region of Molise, the underground consists of alternating soils of clay, sand, and limestone. 

History of Viticulture in Molise

Molise only received the status of its own region in 1963. Historically, it had mostly belonged to Abruzzo before that. The first DOC areas were established in the 1980s. This is one of the reasons why Molise wine is still less known abroad than the northern neighboring region. In terms of tradition, Molise does not lag behind the renowned wine-growing regions in Italy. As early as 500 BC, wine was cultivated here by the Etruscans and Samnites. These peoples had learned viticulture from the Greeks, who then populated the even further southern parts of Italy. 

Red and White Molise Wine

The most important red variety in the wine region is Aglianico. It was introduced to the neighboring Campania over 2,500 years ago. Due to its high tannin content, Aglianico usually matures for several years for flavor development. Therefore, this variety is very popular for Riserva, which must be aged longer according to legal regulations. In addition, varieties such as Tintilia del Molise and Montepulciano, as well as the international red wine varieties Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, are cultivated. 

Popular white wine varieties in Molise include the indigenous southern Italian Greco Bianco and Falanghina. The name Falanghina literally means "bound to the stake." It refers to the classic method of vine training that has been common since ancient times. Other white wine varieties grown in the region include Bombino Bianco, Trebbiano, and Chardonnay.

Buy Molise Wine at VINELLO

In the offer from VINELLO, you will find both IGT country wines and high-quality DOC wines. A prominent place is occupied by wine from Molise from Norante. The Di Majo Norante winery is one of the leading providers in the region. Try, for example, the complex red Contado Aglianico del Molise Riserva DOC or the Ramitello Biferno Rosso DOC. You can purchase an elegant white balcony wine with the Ramí Falanghina del Molise DOC or the Molí Bianco Terre degli Osci IGT.