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PhrasesWine TastingIl vino è un po' velato.
B2

Il vino è un po' velato.

The wine is a little hazy.

Pronunciation

'Velato' — stress on 've-LÀ-to'. Three syllables.

When to use it

Use to describe slight cloudiness in a wine — common in unfiltered natural wines and not necessarily a defect.

What it means

'Velato' = veiled/hazy. In natural wine, it is expected and caused by suspended yeasts and proteins. Always ask the producer before assuming it is a problem.

Variations

È un vino non filtrato?

Is it an unfiltered wine?

Ask to confirm that the haziness is intentional

C'è un deposito nel fondo?

Is there a sediment at the bottom?

Sediment is normal in aged wines

Va decantato?

Should it be decanted?

Ask if decanting would clear the wine

Mini Dialogue

— Il vino è un po' velato. — Sì, non lo filtriamo. Sono lieviti naturali. — Influisce sul sapore? — Dà più corpo e una texture cremosa.

— The wine is a little hazy. — Yes, we don't filter it. They are natural yeasts. — Does it affect the taste? — It gives more body and a creamy texture.

Cultural Note

Unfiltered wine ('vino non filtrato') retains more flavour compounds and texture. The trend towards non-filtration began with the natural wine movement but has now spread to conventional producers.