Bea, Paolo 2024 Cotidie Umbria Rosso (Arrives 7/28)

“Cotidie” Umbria Rosso: “Cotidie” (“quotidian” in Latin) was conceived as an “everyday” wine for its relatively easygoing and drinkable spirit. The methodology behind it feels outré today but would have been common practice for the ancients to whom its Latin name pays tribute: a co-fermentation of both red and white grapes—in this case, Sagrantino and Trebbiano—grown in close proximity to one another, and yielding a lip-smacking wine that’s hard to pigeonhole. In its vibrant ruby color, it sits in the interzone between a dark rosato and a light red, and it offers the heady spice we all love in Bea’s Sagrantino, albeit on a softer, lighter frame. -Rosenthal Wine Merchants

I find it so fun to experience a more playful, ready-to-drink wine from Paolo Bea, who typically produces bold ageworthy wines. This one has bright fruit upfront, almost candied, with a briney savoriness showing up in the form of a green olive. Yum!