s in most other central Italian regions, Molise too owes a great deal to the Etruscans for its winegrowing tradition. It was the Etruscans who first planted vines here in the 7th and 8th centuries B.C. They should also be credited for the use of elm trees as a support for the grapevine. In the 4th century B.C., a very sweet grape variety called Apianae, similar to the Moscato, was grown here. Relating the story of Hannibal, Polybius of Megalopoli, a 2nd-century B.C. Greek historian, sings the praises of the wine produced in these vineyards facing the Adriatic coast. He claims that this wine played a great role in healing injured soldiers, preparing them for future combats.
That wine was an important part of the local economy can be deduced by the great number of amphorae, vases and coins preserved in the archaeological museums of Samnium, which clearly depict winegrowing scenes. The continuous devastations inflicted upon this area at later times brought its agriculture to a near halt. Recovery was slow and difficult. Great harm was done also by the phylloxera epidemic in the late 19th century. The dire consequences of the epidemic lasted several decades.
Today, most of the region's viticulture is based on traditional vineyards that are over 30 years of age. Only recently has there been an effort to modernize the vineyards and to improve the quality of the wines produced here. Thanks to the efforts of a few private vintners, Molise's winemaking industry has started a process of recovery, crowned by the Molise D.O.C. appellation in 1998. The D.O.C. regulations are up-to-date and courageous, combining innovation with tradition, and providing the framework for the production of quality wines in this region.
This page was written by Stefano Milioni. Background image and most photos in this section courtesy of Giuliano Bugialli, all right reserved (see Copyright and Credits).
s in most other central Italian regions, Molise too owes a great deal to the Etruscans for its winegrowing tradition. It was the Etruscans who first planted vines here in the 7th and 8th centuries B.C. They should also be credited for the use of elm trees as a support for the grapevine. In the 4th century B.C., a very sweet grape variety called Apianae, similar to the Moscato, was grown here. Relating the story of Hannibal, Polybius of Megalopoli, a 2nd-century B.C. Greek historian, sings the praises of the wine produced in these vineyards facing the Adriatic coast. He claims that this wine played a great role in healing injured soldiers, preparing them for future combats.