Region: Molise
History: Established as a DOC in 1998
Principal White Grape Varieties: Chardonnay, Falanghina, Fiano, Greco, Malvasia, Moscato, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Trebbiano
Principal Red Grape Varieties: Aglianico, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Montepulciano, Pinot Nero, Sangiovese
Styles and Wine Composition:
WHITE WINES
- Chardonnay (Wh, WhFr): Minimum 85% Chardonnay + OAWG
- Falanghina (Wh): Minimum 85% Falanghina + OAWG
- Fiano (Wh, WhFr): Minimum 85% Fiano + OAWG
- Greco Bianco (Wh): Minimum 85% Greco + OAWG
- Malvasia (Wh, WhFr, WhFrSw): Minimum 85% Malvasia + OAWG
- Moscato Bianco (Wh, WhFr, WhFrSw): Minimum 85% Moscato + OAWG
- Pinot Bianco (Wh, WhFr): Minimum 85% Pinot Bianco + OAWG
- Pinot Grigio (Wh, WhFr): Minimum 85% Pinot Grigio + OAWG
- Sauvignon (Wh): Minimum 85% Sauvignon Blanc + OAWG
- Trebbiano (Wh): Minimum 85% Trebbiano + OAWG
ROSATO WINES
- Rosato (Ro): Minimum 85% Montepulciano + OARG
RED WINES
- Rosso (Rd): Minimum 85% Montepulciano + OARG
- Aglianico (Rd): Minimum 85% Aglianico + OARG
- Cabernet Sauvignon (Rd): Minimum 85% Cabernet Sauvignon + OARG
- Merlot (Rd, RdFr): Minimum 85% Merlot + OARG
- Pinot Nero (Rd): Minimum 85% Pinot Nero + OARG
- Sangiovese (Rd): Minimum 85% Sangiovese + OARG
- Novello (Rosso, Merlot)
- Riserva (Rosso, Aglianico)
SPARKLING WINES
- Spumante Bianco (WhSp): Minimum 50% Chardonnay, Falanghina, Fiano, Malvasia, Montepulciano (vinified as a white wine), Moscato, Pinot Bianco, and/or Pinot Grigio + OAWG
- Spumante Varietals (WhSp): Same as Chardonnay, Falanghina, Fiano, Pinot Bianco, or Pinot Grigio
- Spumante Varietals (WhSpSw): Same as Malvasia or Moscato
- Spumante Rosso (RdSp): Minimum 85% Montepulciano + OARG
DESSERT AND SPECIALTY WINES
- Passito (WhSw): Same as varietal Falanghina or Moscato
Significant Production Rules:
- Minimum alcohol level: 9.0% for Malvasia tranquillo; 10.0% for Pinot Grigio and Pinot Grigio Spumante; 10.5% for Chardonnay, Falanghina, Fiano frizzante, Malvasia frizzante, Moscato, Trebbiano, and all Spumante wines except Pinot Bianco and Pinot Grigio; 11.0% for Greco, Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon, Rosso, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, Pinot Bianco Spumante, and Novello; 11.5% for Fiano tranquillo, Rosato, Aglianico, and Pinot Nero; 12.5% for Riserva; 13.0% for Moscato Passito (14.0% potential); 14.0% potential for Falanghina Passito
- Residual sugar: Maximum 12 g/l (1.2%; zero dosage to brut) for Spumante Bianco, Pinot Bianco Spumante, Spumante Rosato, and Spumante Rosso; 12–17 g/l (1.2–1.7%; extra dry) for Chardonnay Spumante, Fiano Spumante, and Pinot Grigio Spumante; minimum 25 g/l (2.5%) for Falanghina Passito; minimum 32 g/l (3.2%; demisec to dolce) for Malvasia Spumante and Moscato Spumante
- Aging: For Riserva, minimum 2 years, including 6 months in barrel (ERD = November 1, V+2)
