
Torres de Casta Rose – crisp and fruity, served with dry-aged chroizo on bruschetta with manchego cheese and pico de gallo.

The seared beef medallion with crispy Spanish potatoes paired brilliantly with the flavor-rich Torres Altos Ibericos Crianza.

Crisp and cool Torres Vina Sol. Perfect for dessert.

A beautiful tasting menu.
Everyone should make time to enjoy a leisurely wine tasting with great friends amongst lush botanical gardens – we did just that and it was wonderful. The summer evening at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens in Nashville, Tennessee was balmy and beautiful, with fireflies blinking on as the daylight dimmed.
Cheekwood is the estate built by the Maxwell House Coffee fortune, and its grounds and residence refer back to, as they say, “an American Country Place Era Estate.”
The gardens were enriched by the “Human Landscape” installation of thought-provoking art by Jaume Plensa, a Barcelona born artist who “creates sculptures and installations that unify individuals through connections of spirituality, the body, and collective memory.” The art is at once unassuming and exquisite. In short, I loved it. With live Spanish guitar music in the garden by Duo Sudeste, the whole evening was perfect.
Dinner was an exceptional experience with great friends Marco and Petra (grazie mille!). We enjoyed five tapas courses, each paired with a perfectly-chosen Spanish wine. We began with a white wine, progressed to rose and into the full-bodied reds of Spain.
My favorite wines of the evening were a tie. Since I prefer lighter white wines, I really liked the Torres Verdeo, a bright, fruity wine that paired perfectly with fresh seafood. For dessert, the Torres Vina Sol was an elegant finish to the meal, paired with creamy gorgonzola cheese topped with candied almonds and drizzled with honey.

Rich, creamy gorgonzola is a delight with candied almonds and honey.