It's been less than a week since coming home from Spain: I haven't unpacked my suitcase or done a load of laundry yet... but am so pumped about the wines I'm bringing in that we are hitting the ground running with events!

If I could describe my time in Spain in one word, it would be "warmth" - no, not in temperature, but in spirit and soul. The wineries I had the honor of visiting all had this ease and relaxed charm. The wines we had in Rioja and Ribero del Duero were just as good as those poured in stuffy Bordeaux Chateaux, without the pretense or stiffness. Drinking Champagne-method wines of Villafranca-del-Penedes, precise and perfectly executed, in the backyard of the winemaker, felt as cozy and comforting as being home for the holidays. This no nonsense approach, on top of Spain's overall affordability, makes it an easy place to overlook - but make no mistake, in all categories, these are some of the highest quality wines for the price on the market, with as much history and heart as fanicer faraway places. At our "Souvenirs From Spain" events, I'll be pouring my favorite summer selections from the trip: lighter reds, sparkling and whites, with of course a topnotch Tempranillo or two at the end. Please join us for one of these four special nights this month, it's sure to be a fantastic time with amazing wines. See you there!