Finding Inspiration Across the Globe: K&L Buyers' Top Wine and Spirits Picks

Our Buying team truly comprises some of the most knowledgeable, passionate wine and spirits experts in the biz, and we’re happy to bring you a set of their favorites from across our aisles. From years of traveling and extensive experience in the industry, each buyer represents a wealth of knowledge broadly about wine and spirits, but very deeply about their own regions and categories. If you want to shoot the breeze about soils, talk about best vintages to buy, or just learn what’s new and exciting—they are unparalleled resources! Seek them out on our sales floor or shoot them an email via our Staff Profile page.

Misunderstood Meunier

Even though the grape variety Meunier covers about one-third of the Champagne region, it is still little understood by most wine lovers. Follow Gary Westby on the trail through Champagne to explore the wonder of this dynamic and not-to-be-missed varietal that great Champagne could not do without.

In-Stock Champagne Highlights

As a long-time lover of this historic wine, I’m excited to share with you some of the finest and most unique Champagnes we’ve discovered recently as well as sharing a few highlights as I reminisce on 2024. Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or just beginning to explore the world of Champagne, I’ve handpicked some exceptional bottles and offers that I think you'll absolutely love. Cheers to great bubbles and even better moments ahead!

My New Favorite Collectible: K&L Keywords

Every single day, we’re on an endless treasure hunt at K&L, scouring for the next jaw-dropping collectible to share with you. The thrill of discovery never gets old, and luckily for you, we’ve got one of the most customized e-mail platforms around to keep you in the loop. Seriously, it’s like your own personal shopper on autopilot. All you have to do is log in to your account, select your interests, decide how many emails you want to receive per month (a little or a lot, totally your call), and voilà—you’re set.

Bullish on the World of Fine Wine and Spirits

While the fine wine and spirits industry is experiencing some turbulent times, I find myself still enamored with the products, culture, and people who make this one of the most exiting businesses in the world. The joy I get from pulling corks is not going away, and, while everybody is fretting over trying to mobilize the next generation of collectors, I firmly believe that there’s a significant and not-to-be-missed trend towards better and more accessible products that will be the great leveler.

A Toast to the New Year with Our Sparkling Wine Recommendations

The year 2024 was certainly one for the record books at K&L. It’s been a year of big changes: we opened the Culver City store at the beginning of the year—our first new location since 2007—and celebrated with a wonderful party filled with winemakers and friends. We also held our annual Champagne Tent Event in Culver City for the first time, after many years in Hollywood.

Gary’s Recipe for NYE Success: Laurent-Perrier and Caviar at Home

New Year’s Eve is the one night of the year when everyone is having a party. For me, I prefer to do it at home—it gets a little crazy out there with all those people who don’t get out much! So I save my budget for caviar, and, of course, Champagne, and have a great time at my own dining room table! Caviar and Champagne are a great and storied pairing, but I have found it to take a little more attention than just throwing any bottle together with those precious eggs.

2016 Cristal: The Best Since the 2008 Vintage

When I read that the team at Roederer were comparing their newly released 2016 Louis Roederer "Cristal" Brut Champagne to the 2008, I have to admit that I was very skeptical. I love it when great wine proves my skeptical heart wrong. Last night, Cinnamon and I drank this great vintage of Cristal with homemade sashimi bowls, and while I was very impressed from just tasting the wine for this video, now I am a complete convert—this is definitely the best Cristal for me since the 2008; it has an energy, a sheen, a brilliance that reminds me so much of that great vintage.

Holiday Buying Guide: Our Top Picks for the Season

The K&L Holiday Wine Buying Guide is your ultimate resource for selecting the perfect wines to elevate your holiday celebrations. Whether you're searching for the ideal bottle to pair with festive meals, a special gift for a wine lover, or simply a standout wine to enjoy with loved ones, our curated guide offers expert recommendations across all price points and styles. From rich reds and elegant whites to sparkling wines and rare finds, our team of experienced sommeliers and wine buyers has handpicked a selection that embodies the spirit of the season, ensuring your holiday table is stocked with exceptional wines. Let us help you make this holiday season even more memorable with the perfect bottle for every occasion!

A Few of Our Favorite Things from the Domestic Wine Aisle

For the Holiday Buying Guide this year I decided to take a leaf out of Oprah’s book and present a few of my favorite things! As the Domestic Wine Buyer for K&L, I taste many thousands of wines a year: from high-end luxury cult Cabs to delicious everyday drinkers at $9.95; from solid, dependable, consistent old favorites, to the newest, most esoteric, experimental wines from folks trying something creative to get a start. My role as the buyer here is often not just to assess the quality and value presented by a certain wine, but to match it with a specific customer demand. The idea of this list is to be a little self indulgent (hey, it is the holiday season) and focus on wines that I personally enjoy to drink, share, and gift to others. Wines I believe have a broad appeal and will bring a smile to most people who taste them.

Buon Natale! Bring Italian Traditions to Your Holiday Table

As an Italian I know Christmas is more than a holiday; it's time to come together, share stories, and enjoy incredible food and wine. In Italy, we take our celebrations very seriously, and the heart of every event is always the dining table. From north to south, each region has its own unique traditions, but one thing is universal: wine is always the guest of honor. This year I've selected some of the best Italian wines to bring a little bit of my homeland to your holiday festivities. Let's make this Christmas a true Festa Italiana!

For the Holidays, Champagne Is Always a Hit

The holidays are upon us, and it is time to pop the Champagne! We have a fabulous selection for you this year that covers the bases from top values from our direct import grower-producers to very special bottles from the Grande Marque house

K&L Wine Merchants

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