Wrapping

A whirlwind tour to a foreign country can leave one feeling lightheaded for a moment. Whether it's the altitude or excitement of being in Spain, wrapping your wine soaked brain around the copious amounts of jamon, sheep filled green pastures, vine laden land, and much hospitality can be sensory overload, to say the least. But ... after hundreds of photos snapped and revisited, the trip to Spain is no longer such a blur and the vast difference between new and old school approaches to life, architecture, philosophy and wine is beginning to come into focus. While it can be said of many a country, the divide of modern versus traditional, is quite apparent in Spain, showcased in many walks of life as well as in food and wine. As someone who put a wine program together, featuring the differences of Old School vs. New School in Spain the diversity was not only interesting, but quite pleasing.

Pinpointing one highlight of the trip will be more than difficult, but an afternoon with Alejandro Fernandez is currently topping the charts. However, the curiosity compass is reeling with questions ... in DO rules of white wine, levels of quality versus aging requirements, "refreshing" old vintages and much more. So, while the wine soaked brain eases back into the joy of a buzzing restaurant stateside, much on the Spanish experience will unfold in continued wrapping. Cheers!