Posts in champagne
Celebrating Clyde’s Birthday with Château Palmer

Château Palmer is easily on many wine consumers Top 5 all-time Bordeaux properties list—including mine—and for good reason! It’s technically a Third Growth, but one that ranks with some of the most well-regarded châteaux in the whole region. Recently, on not exactly just a random Monday night—but as Monday nights go this was not bad—I was lucky enough to experience a deep Palmer lineup and an exquisite food pairing menu. The occasion? It happened to be the only day that is a command (March 4th)—and my father, Clyde Beffa’s, birthday.

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Go for the Oscar Gold with Champagne! 

It’s nearly time for the Academy Awards! If you’ve managed to see any of the movies, even those that clock in at under 3½ hours long (thanks for pointing that out, Hugh Grant!), you’ll have seen some very deserving technicians and artists. My favorite thing to have while watching the show is either fried chicken with French fries and a salad (which I use to fool myself into thinking that I’m eating semi-healthily), or Kung Pao chicken, rice, and steamed asparagus with sliced almonds and a clear sauce… No matter what foodstuffs you are planning, there is only one beverage that matches perfectly with this event...Champagne!

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Roederer Collection 244 at the Residence de France

This past Thursday I was invited to the residence of the French Consul Général for a showcase of the Villa Albertine, a charity that the Roederer Foundation supports. There I met with Frédéric Rouzaud, the president of Champagne Louis Roederer, and he premiered his Louis Roederer "Collection 244" Brut Champagne, which should be coming to K&L soon.

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A Go-To Resource for Wine Collectors of All Stripes

Whether your cellar takes up an entire room or you've got your first few bottles stashed away as you start your collecting journey, K&L will be there for you every step of the way. Our industry-leading Key Accounts and Auction departments are ready to guide you to all the latest, greatest releases and library stunners, so dive head-first into this comprehensive guide to the joys of wine collecting.

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Benchmark Producers to Start Your Wine Collection

Whether you are collecting for investment or for decades of enjoyment ahead, there are certain tried-and-true benchmark producers that are always the wisest of bets for your wine cellar. I’m pleased to share a few thoughts on some of my personal favorite producers, all of whom I hold in the highest regard. These are among the finest in their regions and provide exceptional value at their level. If you are looking to start a wine collection, you absolutely cannot go wrong if you start with wines from any of these estates.

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Louis Roederer’s Masterful 2014 Vintage Champagne: Buy Some for Now and Some for the Cellar

I know I have been like a broken record recommending the 2014 vintage, but some things are worth repeating. After drinking a bottle of this great 2014 Louis Roederer Brut Champagne $89.99 95WA with some homemade sashimi bowls earlier this month, I feel compelled to repeat myself. No Champagne lover will ever say “I bought too many of the 2014s.” I understand that these wines lack the flash of the 2012s and the power of the 2015s, but in the medium-to-long term I promise that they will evolve into something very, very special—and I think better than those two other vintages. I caught a glimpse of that with this great Champagne on the fifth of this month.

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Valentine's Day Wine Buying Guide

Our Valentine’s Day Buying Guide is here! Whether you want to gift a special bottle, or open a memorable wine for a dinner with your loved one, we have ideas galore.

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Pink Bubbly to Your Heart’s Content

Venus, the Roman goddess of love, has often been painted in pink, and pink has somehow become interwoven with our cultural associations of romance. As Valentine’s Day approaches, we’re here to celebrate the pink—in bubbly form, of course.

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Celebrate Your Sweetheart with Chelsea's Collectible Wine Picks

In an understated and often unnoticed way, K&L has become a part of many lovers' lives. Upon revealing my employment at K&L to a recent acquaintance, they promptly shared, "Twenty years ago, I bought the Champagne from you that my wife and I enjoyed when we got engaged!" As Valentine's Day approaches and we think on the importance of these memories, I've curated a list of top-tier wines, not limited to Champagnes, that every wine lover will appreciate. These selections are perfect for toasting love, be it Platonic or romantic, or gifting to your favorite wine aficionado for future enjoyment.

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Celebrating the Top 10 Most Memorable Champagnes of 2023

This year has marked my 23rd in my job as Champagne Buyer here at K&L, and I feel lucky to say that it was one of the best for memorable Champagnes. This list could have been much longer than just ten, as I have been treated to so many noteworthy wines over the last 12 months. I have noticed three themes for 2023: large bottles (magnums and jeroboams) account for about one-third of the list, as do pairings with tinned fish, and half the bottles were not vintage dated. The flexibility that blending across time gives the Champenois is not just for basics—a skilled chef de cave can make magic with multiple vintages.

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Celebrating the True Power Couple: An Evening of Laurent-Perrier and Caviar

On Wednesday evening, K&L San Francisco welcomed a dynamic, female-led team for a celebration of one of the most revered pairings: caviar and Champagne. A group of 15 guests joined the K&L team to delve into the complexities of flavor, texture, and terroir inherent in both Champagne and caviar.

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Holiday Buying Guide: Gary’s Favorite Champagne Gifts

When it comes to gifts under $100, it is hard to do better than the Champagnes from Launois in Mesnil. These wines have an accessibility that makes them the hit of every party; they are a gift that is always appreciated. The value for money will be your secret!

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