From Friuli to Sicily: A Celebration of Italian Wine

Today's Newsletter shines the spotlight on arguably the most diverse and complex wine-producing country in the world. By volume and variety, nowhere tops Italy, which can make this ancient wine landscape somewhat difficult to navigate for the average consumer. Thankfully, K&L's Greg St. Clair is here to distill all these incredible styles and traditions into his absolute favorite picks, starting with three under-the-radar, off-the-beaten-path value gems from some lesser-known regions. Our direct-import portfolio continues to grow with a stable of must-have Montalcinos that will appeal to collectors and casual consumers alike. Finally, we survey Italy's white wine scene with hand-selected stunners that run the gamut from everyday, go-to performers to superb boutique gems that can stand with the finest collectible examples anywhere.

The Best Drinks for California's Endless Summer

Today's Newsletter is an ode to summer in its dog days. Since we all know most of California has plenty of summer left, our buyers reflect on their favorite go-to winners that shine the brightest during the warm weather.

Italian Wines Off the Beaten Path

Today's Newsletter is a fun, fascinating, and enlightening deep dive into the many facets of Italy's wine culture that we don't often see. Our long-time Italian buyer Greg St. Clair has spent decades traversing the country in search of the very best under-the-radar finds, and he's curated a can't-miss selection of his current favorites all in one place.

The Holiday Buying Guide

The holidays are the merriest time of the year ... and perhaps the most exhausting. Let us help make things a bit simpler for you—this week’s newsletter is your one-stop shop for rewarding holiday picks. We’ve got bottles to give, bottles to share, plus a few for your own stockings.

A Mid-Summer Wine's Dream: Our Italian Newsletter

Though we may think of red-checkered tablecloths, spaghetti and meatballs, and wicker-basket Chianti when we think of Italian food, there is in fact a rich tradition of coastal cuisine based on seafood and dynamic, acid-driven whites. Italian Buyer Greg St. Clair has all that and more for you in these pages. From sparkling, dry, food-friendly Lambrusco to elegant and affordable Valpolicella from our new Direct Import producer, our maestro has the wine that’ll transport you to your own Italian daydream.

Benvenuto to Our Excellent Stash of Brunello

Today’s newsletter is an ode to a region that lies in the heart of Italy, a place that earned our Italian buyer Greg St. Clair the unofficial title of Mayor of Montalcino: Tuscany. Home of Dante, villas on rolling hills, and Greg’s favorite grape (Sangiovese!), it is also home to one of the world’s most undeniably special wines, Brunello di Montalcino, which, in a superior vintage like 2015, reaches the greatest heights Sangiovese can offer.

Stuff Their Stockings with Booze: The 2020 Holiday Newsletter

Whether you’ll be spinning a dreidel, rockin’ around the Christmas tree, lighting the Kwanzaa candles, or simply enjoying Winter Solstice, we have something that can make your celebration special, and, though the times were strange in 2020, the wines were superb.

Let's Do the Turkey/Tofurkey Tango

This may be an out-of-the-box Thanksgiving, so we’re thinking about out-of-the-box wine pairings. In today’s newsletter, we bring you the best and brightest of Pinot Noir, one of the classic characters you see at the turkey/tofurkey table. But we’ve thrown in some fun options from around the winemaking world to mix things up.

Barale's 2016 Barolo

Barale Fratelli is always among our favorites wines from Piedmont, as the balance between elegance and value that each bottle delivers seriously can't be matched. In their 2016 Barolo, they've truly made something special.

Soave and the Wines of Le Battistelle

Though Italy’s red wines often snag all the glory, the country’s white wines can be phenomenal—with dozens of native grapes and styles, there’s truly something for every type of white wine lover. And, yes, there’s much more than Pinot Grigio out there! K&L’s Italian Afficionados, John Downing and Greg St. Clair, explain what makes the Le Battistelle wines of Soave Classico some of our faves.

John's Master Class: 2015 Brunello di Montalcino

What is it that makes Brunello di Montalcino so incredibly special? If you are a fan of Italian wine, you’ve probably heard K&L and critics alike rave about the 2015 vintage, and maybe you’re ready to learn more. We asked one of our Italian experts, John Downing, to give us the lowdown on the vintage, the region, and some of his favorites. This is a deep dive for the Brunello lover, or even just the Brunello curious.

Italy: Super Tuscan to Südtirol

From 100-point Brunellos to superb Pinot Grigio under $15, our summer Italian newsletter covers it all. With all the fresh produce in season right now (are your tomato gardens popping yet?), it’s a great time to dine al fresco with a glass (or two) of Italian wine.

K&L Wine Merchants

www.klwines.com