Study / Region guides
Molise
No DOCG and 4 DOCs. Examined in Unit 2: Central and Southern Italy.
- Borders
- Abruzzo, Lazio, Campania, Puglia
- Wine provinces
- Campobasso, Isernia
The land
Molise is Italy's second smallest region. It is mostly mountain and hill, with a short stretch of Adriatic coast.
The vineyards are in the hills of Campobasso province toward the sea, and around Isernia inland.
The grapes
Montepulciano and Aglianico are borrowed from the neighbours on either side. Tintilia is the native red and the region's own speciality. Trebbiano and Falanghina are the whites.
Which grape leads which appellation
- Montepulciano 1
- Biferno
- Tintilia 1
- Tintilia del Molise
In the vineyard and cellar
Most wine is simple red for local drinking. Tintilia yields little and was nearly abandoned before a few growers brought it back.
History and trade
Molise was joined to Abruzzo until 1963 and is still the least known wine region in the country.
The DOCGs
Molise has no DOCG.
The DOCs
| Appellation | DOC since | Grapes | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biferno | 1983 | Montepulciano (60-70%), Aglianico (15-20%), Trebbiano; Trebbiano Toscano, Bombino, Malvasia for whites | Campobasso |
| Molise | 1998 | Montepulciano, Aglianico, Falanghina, Greco, Trebbiano | Campobasso, Isernia |
| Pentro di Isernia (Pentro) | 1983 | Trebbiano Toscano, Bombino; Montepulciano, Sangiovese | Isernia |
| Tintilia del Molise | 2011 | Tintilia (min 95%) | Campobasso, Isernia |
Facts that get tested
The kind of thing an exam asks about Molise. Cover the answers and try them.
Which native red grape is Molise's speciality?
Tintilia. Tintilia del Molise has its own DOC. The grape nearly disappeared because it yields so little.
Which grapes lead Biferno Rosso?
Montepulciano and Aglianico. Molise sits between Abruzzo and Campania and borrows the main red grape of each.
Until 1963 Molise was joined to which region?
Abruzzo. The two were administered together as Abruzzi e Molise.
Think you've got it?
Twenty questions on Molise, with every wrong answer drawn from the region and its neighbours.
Quiz me on Molise