Gourmet food and wine pairings, internationally themed entertainment and artist demonstrations were just a few of the highlights of CRUSH! A Wine Tasting.
Presented Oct. 14 by the Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach, the sold-out event offered attendees a chance to sample a variety of wines from Spain, New Zealand, Australia and more. Complementing the various varietals were food pairings from By Design Catering: Campo Viejo’s Cava Brute Rosé, for example, was paired with a sage cream corn risotto with crispy prosciutto, while pulled pork tacos with Chimichurri sauce and peppers complemented an Australian Chardonnay. Other wine/menu offerings included a Sauvignon Blanc paired with a spinach, artichoke and smoked Gouda pasta, and Cabernet paired with brie with balsamic roasted cranberries.
The evening’s international flavor was reflected in the entertainment, with Flamenco-style dances performed by Carolina Rodriguez and 13-year-old Hannah Pancoast of the Ponte Vedra Ballet accompanied by Andre Gruber. Guests also had a chance to view artist demonstrations by Robert Leedy and Linda Richichi while perusing silent auction trips to Tuscany, Asia and other exotic locales.
Cultural Center Development Director Toni Boudreaux noted that a portion of the proceeds from the event would benefit St. Augustine’s Butterfield Garage Gallery, which sustained damage during Hurricane Matthew.
