I'm learning things! Today we had a special tasting at the wine shop—wines from Umbria. Tuscany's often overlooked neighbor. Paolo Bea—cult favorite—was the star of the night. He produces wine made from the Sangrantino grape. Thick-skinned and rich in tannins, the Sangrantino has evolved to withstand the scorching Umbria temps. For this reason, it's considered a rebel grape in the cellar.
The Bea family has occupied the Montefalco region since the 16th century. Paolo Bea, 72, still believes in doing things the old fashioned way. No modern technology. No pesticides. No herbicides. Bea learned the craft from his father and he passed it on to his own two sons. Giuseppe farms the vineyards. Giampiero assists in the vinification.
"With each passing year, I better understand our land, respecting and caring for it...and at the end of each year extract from it a wine which is totally unique, continually developing, improving, and sustaining our health. Each season is a new discovery, a chance to apply and evaluate knowledge we have gained in previous years." ~Paolo Bea
I just want to love a job as much as Paolo Bea loves his. In the mean time, I'll settle for a glass of Montefalco Rosso.
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