Spain is on my mind... let's talk about it!

6/22/10 - 

Today is my first day back in the shop, fresh off the heels of a beautiful trip to Spain with Jose Pastor Selections.  Jose has been working tirelessly to bring to the States the kind of wines that we love here at Chambers Street – wines that are made in the vineyard with minimal intervention thereafter; wines that are pure, honest, and vividly express a sense of place. It was a tremendous privilege to meet the growers he represents and see the vineyards they lovingly maintain.  The food and the wines were out of sight, and ignited my growing enthusiasm for Iberia and Spain's real wines – there is tremendous potential here for beautiful wines free of cosmetics and fake manipulations.  To celebrate all this, we are having two tastings this week:  Thursday we will taste a few of the highlights from my trip, primarily from Rias Baixas - delicious Albarinos from Pedralonga and Benito Santos, along with a couple other surprises from Pastor’s portfolio. Friday we will have a representative from the Ribera del Duero Trade Commission pouring our selections from that region with your summer barbecue in mind.  Salud and I hope to see you at the tasting table! - Chris Barnes