Carlo Pagano (best sommelier in Abruzzo and Molise) led a stage to discover the "wines of Molise"

To guide Stage 14 of the Sommelier Wine Box (May 2019) we turned to the best sommelier in Abruzzo and Molise, the great Carlo Pagano , who told us his story.

“I was born in 1982, when Italy won the World Cup and the best-selling album in the world, Thriller by Michael Jackson, was released. But I don't do the calculations well being born on Christmas Day and leaving Fate one gift a year. I started wandering around restaurants at 16 but love at first sight with wine occurred in 2007 when I began my studies with the Italian Sommelier Association - I graduated in the twilight of 2008. Ambitious and passionate, I study and travel around a lot. In 2009 I won the title of best sommelier in Abruzzo and Molise and a few months later I was elected best sommelier in Central Italy in the Master The search for excellence .

I then began other training courses: official AIS taster, beer, mineral water, cigar and spirits taster. I become the contact person for AIS Molise (Isernia delegation) and participate in the drafting of the Vitae Guide, the best wines of Italy .

But I miss something: the competition, getting back into the game with myself! I leave the position of delegate and resume my studies, understanding even more that I am a " wine's victim ". I travel around a lot, taste even more and look far into the distance. On my first attempt I won the Trento Doc award for third Best Sommelier in Italy 2016 (a placement which I will repeat the following year). Just enough time to come down from Trento to celebrate and the books are immediately opened for other competitions. Important successes arrive, one after the other: 1st place in Master Sagrantino, Master Nebbiolo, Master Soave, Master Nero di Troia, Master Albana. 2nd place in the Primitivo Master and 3rd in the Chianti Classico master, where I received the award for Best Communicator.

I proudly take MY Molise around Italy and decide with my wife Luigia and my dear friend, chef Marx Di Nella and his wife Mariagrazia, to open Existo Osteria Molisana, where we give voice to many small artisans and Sannite excellences and matesine, with research and the desire to make known all the beauty and good that surrounds us, having fun and falling more in love with our work every day, the most beautiful in the world .”

Carlo Pagano, best sommelier of Abruzzo and Molise