More than 30 guests enjoyed dinner with special guest Laura Bianchi, Co-owner and Winemaker at Castello di Monsanto, on Oct. 18 at Zinc in New Haven. The menu was conceived and paired by Zinc’s Chef Graydon Chapman and Sommelier Michael Egan centered on wines from within the Freixenet Mionetto USA import portfolio. The menu featured Mionetto Luxury Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG as an aperitivo, followed by rosemary panzanella paired with Castello di Monsanto Fabrizio Bianchi Chardonnay IGT 2021; fresh pappardelle with late summer peas, lardo and pecorino paired with Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2019; Uva in Purgatory, made with Massaro Community Farm eggs, roasted tomato and basil paired with Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Il Poggio DOCG 2018; grilled fresh branzino with lemon, thyme, potato and EVOO paired with Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Il Poggio DOCG 2017; grilled organic hanger steak with local burrata, whipped turnip sand mustard paired with Castello di Monsanto Fabrizio Bianchi Sangioveto IGT 2017; and panna cotta with ricotta and poached pears paired with Castello di Monsanto La Chimera Vin Santo DOC 2007. Dinner guests had the opportunity to purchase a special cellar selection of three vintages direct from the winery—1970, 1998 and 2015—one bottle each in a special wood case. Castillo di Monsanto has the largest selection of reserve vintages in Tuscany and releases a cellar selection annually when a vintage of Il Poggio is thought to be reaching its apogee, or high point.