In 1963 this little known region of Italian gained its independence from the "Abruzzi". In between Abruzzo and Puglia it cetrtainly has a southern feel to it. Molise ranks in at 19th in terms of size and population of Italy's regions. Campobasso is the region's capital and is a big exporter of drought ridden Puglia.
Molise
Regional detail
Location
Climate
Warm Mediterranean but with cooling Adriatic sea breezes
Topography
Characterised by rolling hills as the Appenines turn towards the Puglian Plain. Everything about this regions seems innocuous – its hills, climate, lack of urban sprawl.
Soils
mixed limestone and marl, iron rich subsoils
Average annual production
less than 100,000 HL
Molise
Grapes
Aglianico
Description
See Campania
Principle Wines
See Campania
Bombino Bianco
Description
See Puglia
Principle Wines
See Puglia
Falangina
Description
See Campania
Principle Wines
See Campania
Greco
Description
See Campania
Principle Wines
See Campania
Montepulciano
Description
See Abruzzo
Principle Wines
See Abruzzo
Moscato
Description
See Piemonte
Principle Wines
See Piemonte
Pinot Bianco
Description
See international
Principle Wines
See international
Sangiovese
Description
See Tuscany
Principle Wines
See Tuscany
Tintilia
Description
Very plummy red grape with high acidity. Some claim it indigenous, others say it has relations to Bovale Grande in Sardegna.
Principle Wines
Molise
Trebbiano Toscano
Description
See Tuscany
Principle Wines
See Tuscany
Major Appellations DOCG/DOC
Biferno DOC (a multi DOC*)
Description
Named after the regions main river in the province of Campobasso, this has a red, rosé and white version according to the above vairieties
Principle Wines
Trebbiano, Sangiovese, Aglianico
Molise DOC (a multi DOC*)
Description
Rosso - Montepulciano Varietal – above grape varities
Principle Wines
Aglianico, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Falanghina, Greco Bianco, Moscato, Pinot Bianco, Sangiovese, Sauvignon, Tintilia, Trebbiano.
Other Appellations DOCG/DOC
Pentro di Isernia or Pentro DOC (a multi DOC*)
Principle Wines
Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Trebbiano, Bombino Bianco
IGT Appellations
Osco or Terre degli Osci
Rotae
Rotae