We're quickly
approaching the end of another year and our Italian Food, Wine &
Travel (#ItalianFWT) bloggers are ready to share with you this month
a variety of Italian holiday wines, culinary traditions and holiday
and Christmas festivities found throughout Italy. This month I'm
focusing on the small region of Molise that never seems to get enough
attention.
Christmas Traditions in Molise
I don't know about
you, but I personally love this time of year. One of my favorite
things to do is partake in the festivities all around me whether it's
scoping out the houses with some of the best christmas light displays
while sipping some hot chocolate or maybe attending Christmas parades
and other local holiday events. Well Italy has many of it's own
traditions in each region and many of the towns within those regions
have special events that the local citizens hold dear to them.
In Molise
Christmas Eve is a big celebration for the locals. In particular, in
the town of Agnone, there is a celebration of the ndocciata,
torches. A bell is rung at St. Anthonys and bagpipers play and fill
the streets with music. A fan shaped variety of torches made of
pinewood are carried by those dressed in costume of all ages. The
event culminates at Plebiscite Square with a large bonfire, called
the bonfire of brotherhood, where the nativity is displayed. In the
town of Oratino, another event called La Faglia takes place where
they burn hundreds of candles into forming one candle. The candle is
carried through the town where it is lit on fire at the end at the
Chiesa Madre bell tower.
 |
| Ndocciata of Agnone by Gianfranco Vitolo |
Holiday Wine Recommendations from
Molise
I recently had a
couple wines from Molise that I very much enjoyed. The 2014 Di Majo
Norante Terre Degli Osci Sangiovese I.G.T and the 2011 Di Majo
Norante Ramitello Molise. Di Majo Norante is located in Campomarino
in the district of Ramitello and has been producing wine since the
1800's. Helping craft wines of top quality they have seeked out the help of one of the top Italian wine consultants, Riccardo Cotarella, who consults wineries throughout Italy and the world.
The Di Majo
Norante Terre Degli Osci Sangiovese I found to be a great value wine.
With aromas of cherry and raspberry, this dry wine is easy and soft
with smooth tannins. SRP $9-10.
The 2011 Di Majo Norante Ramitello Molise was my favorite of the two and had also been rated on the Top 100 in 2014 for Wine Spectator. It's sourced from the top grapes of the Ramitello vineyard with vines aging on average about 50 years old. It's a blend of mostly montepulciano with some aglianico grapes. A very powerful, complex wine with spice and dark, black fruits. A wine that benefits from aeration for sure. SRP $15.
The 2011 Di Majo Norante Ramitello Molise was my favorite of the two and had also been rated on the Top 100 in 2014 for Wine Spectator. It's sourced from the top grapes of the Ramitello vineyard with vines aging on average about 50 years old. It's a blend of mostly montepulciano with some aglianico grapes. A very powerful, complex wine with spice and dark, black fruits. A wine that benefits from aeration for sure. SRP $15.
Culinary Treats of Molise
Molise is known during Christmas time for calciuni. Calciuni are
sweet fritters that are filled mainly with chestnuts and almonds with
the addition of chocolate, honey and oranze zest sometimes.
Definitely a treat after a Christmas feast!
Feast
on History – Feast of the Seven Fishes in Italy: Myth orTradition?
L'Occasion - 5 Italian Christmas Dishes and Wine Pairings
The Wining Hour - A Venetian Holiday: Wine, Food,Tradition
The Wine Predator - Italian Holiday Traditions Adapted to California Conditions: 3 dishes with wine
The Wining Hour - A Venetian Holiday: Wine, Food,Tradition
The Wine Predator - Italian Holiday Traditions Adapted to California Conditions: 3 dishes with wine
Next month Susannah from Avvinare will host coastal reds and whites along with foods and travel to coastal regions on January 7th.
Sourced from ilmolise.net.
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