Vice Echanson Mary Horn and Vice Echanson Honoraire Mike Monnin masterfully organized a Tuscan wine tasting dinner featuring the impeccable wines of the Frescobaldi family on June 14 at the Heidelberg Distributing Center in Northern Kentucky. Members were greeted at the center’s conference room with glasses of Frescobaldi Benefizio Chardonnay 2013 and passed appetizers from Funky’s Catering of Cincinnati.
Once all of the members had arrived, they were seated and introduced to Shane Lessard, CSW, area sales manager for Folio Fine Wine Partners. Mr. Lessard gave a fascinating account of the history of wine making in the Frescobaldi family. He emphasized the family’s commitment to tradition, experience, and innovation over the past 700 years.
Mr. Lessard then led a tasting of nine Frescobaldi wines including Castelgiocondo Brunello di Montalcino 2011, three offerings of Ornellaia, and Luce della Vite 2012. He emphasized the differences in terroir and techniques that gave each wine its distinctive characteristics.
We experienced these outstanding wines with an exquisite buffet dinner prepared by Michael Forgus of Funky’s Catering including Hanger Steak with Bone Marrow Butter, Morel Mushroom Risotto, and Deconstructed Tiramisu.
The evening was a perfect blend of fine wine education, outstanding gourmet food, and time honored Italian wines, all shared with appreciative Cincinnati Mondiale members. Bailli George Elliot and his Mondiale wine experts crafted an event that truly captured the essence of the Cincinnati chapter. All members were unified in their gratitude for this extraordinary experience.
Graig Smith, Vice Chargé de Presse