Philo Merlot Venezia Giulia IGT 2022 - Venit x 6

Terroir and Agricultural Philosophy of Philo Rosso IGT Venezia Giulia

The Philo Rosso IGT Venezia Giulia from the Venit winery captures a contemporary, fresh, and streamlined expression of the Merlot variety, crafted in strict accordance with vegan winemaking criteria. The name and label design celebrate the flower of the Veccia Sativa, a leguminous plant utilized for the historical practice of green manuring. This natural alternative to chemical fertilizers enriches the soil and revives ancestral wisdom to answer tomorrow's agronomic challenges. The production focus targets a dry red wine capable of fusing varietal purity with an exceptionally dynamic fluid framework and immediate charm.

Agronomic Features and Protective Cellar Protocol

The vines are trained using the spur-pruned cordon system on deep clay-heavy slopes characterized by the presence of "caranto"—a compact Pleistocene paleosoil that instills a solid savory core. Hand-harvesting targets an optimal operational window to maintain fresh structural acidity and target a precise total acidity of 5.20 g/l. In the cellar, alcoholic fermentation takes place entirely inside temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, completely avoiding animal-derived fining agents to guarantee full vegan certification. The evolutionary pathway requires a 4-month maturation phase on the fine lees, driven by systematic bâtonnage routines to enhance texture and secure sharp aromatic stability, followed by an additional 4 months of bottle resting.

Sensory profile of Philo Rosso

The exclusive vinification inside stainless steel vats combined with the extended maturation on noble lees shapes a clean organoleptic identity marked by brilliant fragrance.

• Appellation, Blend and ABV: 100% Merlot 13.00% ABV (Vegan Certified).
• Visual Presentation: Luminous and brilliant carmine red color displaying a youthful purple rim and excellent structural clarity.
• Aromatic Bouquet: Youthful and fragrant on the nose, showcasing dominant notes of blueberry, red currant, and wild strawberry, layered with elegant floral undertones of violet petals and earthy balsamic hints.
• Palate Texture: Dry, tensed, and highly balanced on the entry. The mid-palate delivers a streamlined, agile framework where a vibrant acidity meets a tensed, scattante tannic weave, leading into a precise, savory finish with outstanding persistence.

Food Pairings and Serving Recommendations

The refreshing acidity and fine structural agility of this vegan Merlot support outstanding versatility across diverse traditional and contemporary menus, as noted by award-winning sommelier Cristian Maitan.

• Classic Pairings: Pairs naturally with rich charcuterie platters featuring wild boar salami, Piave cheese, and traditional oil-drizzled focaccia, or with a raw selection of wine-grape skin cured meats.
• Structured Pairings: Matches beautifully with rich bronze-die bigoli pasta with duck reductions, steamed beef dumplings, and savory fish courses such as eel seasoned with sweet pepper powder.
• Serving Conditions: To optimize structural balance and maximize the primary berry aromas, serve in a medium-sized red wine glass at a steady chilled temperature of 14 - 16°C.

Awards 

• Bellavita Awards: Maximum score achieved with the allocation of 3 Stars.
• Città del Vino - Biodivino: Silver Medal with an official score of 84 points.
• Piwi Wine System: Silver Medal with a technical evaluation of 89 points.