# Paolo Bea Rosso de Veo (2019)

- **Producer:** Azienda Agricola Paolo Bea
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Sagrantino
- **Region:** Umbria, Italy
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 14.0%
- **Average price:** €83
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, plum, blueberry, herbaceous, liquorice, cedar, dried cranberry, prune, game

## About this wine

Paolo Bea's Rosso de Véo is an exceptional expression of 100% Sagrantino crafted in Montefalco, Umbria. The Bea family history in Montefalco dates back to around 1500, operating a traditional 15-hectare mixed farm with only 5 hectares dedicated to vines. First produced in 2005, Rosso de Véo was created to showcase younger vines, primarily from the high-elevation Cerrete vineyard. Although classified under the flexible Umbria IGT designation, it displays the depth, concentration, and longevity expected of top DOCG wines.

## Interesting facts

- 'Véo' represents the local Umbrian dialect pronunciation of the Bea family name.
- The Bea family has been documented as agriculturalists in Montefalco since 1500.
- The wine undergoes a remarkably long skin maceration period of 40 to 50 days.
- Fruit is sourced primarily from Cerrete, Montefalco's highest elevation vineyard.

## Food pairing

The intense concentration and powerful tannin structure of pure Sagrantino require hearty, rich dishes with high fat and protein content to soften the astringency and balance the wine's vibrant acidity.

## Wine making process

The grapes are organically and biodynamically grown, hand-harvested, destemmed, and gently crushed. Fermentation occurs spontaneously using native yeasts in stainless steel tanks without commercial additives or temperature manipulation. The cuvaison involves an extended skin contact period of 40 to 50 days. The wine ages for 12 months in stainless steel, followed by 24 months in large Slavonian oak botti and 12 months of bottle refinement before release. It is bottled unfined, unfiltered, and with zero added sulfites.