When Marco de Grazia first arrived on the north slope of Mount Etna in the early 2000s, he wasn't just looking to make wine, he was looking to prove a point. As a long-time exporter who had spent decades tasting the finest Burgundies and Barolos, Marco saw something in the "black lands" of the volcano that others had overlooked: a map of individual Contrade (crus) that could produce wines of world-class elegance.
Read MoreMost serious collectors share a common frustration. The desire is there: the curiosity, the passion, the genuine excitement about what's in the glass. What's harder to come by is the time to track down the right bottles, the relationships to access what never makes it to a shelf, and the confidence to know you're building something coherent rather than just accumulating. The wine world doesn't make it easy. Allocations disappear before you hear about them. Producers you've read about for years are nearly impossible to source. And the sheer volume of what's out there, across regions, vintages, producers, and formats, can make even an enthusiastic collector feel like they're perpetually one step behind.
That's the problem Private Client Services was built to solve.
Read MoreIf 2016 was the vintage of power and 2019 was the vintage of austerity, 2021 in Barolo is the vintage of complete nobility. As these wines finally start to reach our shelves, the verdict from the Langhe is unanimous: this is a “modern classic”year. The spine-tingling acidity of the past meets the polished winemaking and tannin management of the present.
Read MoreWhen you talk about Angelo Gaja, you aren't just talking about wine. You are talking about a revolution. I mean, we take it for granted now that Italian wine stands toe-to-toe with the best of Bordeaux and Burgundy, but back in the 1960s and 70s? That was absolutely not the case. Piedmont was rustic. It was traditional. It was a place of giant, old casks and farming methods that hadn't changed in a century.
Read MoreItalian wine offers something few wine cultures can: an unmatched combination of history, place, and everyday pleasure. From the sunlit hills of Tuscany to the fog-shrouded vineyards of Barolo, Italy’s greatest wines are rooted in native grapes, centuries of tradition, and a deep connection to food and local life. At the same time, Italy remains one of the world’s best sources of value, producing honest, character-driven wines that deliver far more quality than their price suggests. In this issue, we explore the power and prestige of Tuscany, the depth and longevity of Barolo, and the joy of discovering Italian wines that prove you don’t need to spend a fortune to drink beautifully.
Read MoreMore tension-filled than the sunny 2020s and rivaling the monumental 2019s in elegance, 2021 is a vintage of scarcity and transparency, perfect for collectors who prize the savory, energetic, and terroir-driven soul of Montalcino.
Read MoreFew names in Tuscany embody the soul of Sangiovese like Fèlsina. From their benchmark Chianti Classico to the profound Riserva and legendary Rancia vineyard, this estate delivers wines that combine authenticity, elegance, and longevity in every vintage. The 2022 release once again proves why Fèlsina is considered a standard-bearer for Chianti Classico.
Read MoreWhen Andrea Franchetti arrived on Mount Etna in 2000, the mountain was not the glamorous wine destination it is today. It was a wild, forgotten frontier, dotted with abandoned vineyards and ancient stone terraces crumbling under the weight of neglect. But Franchetti, a visionary who had already created a cult legend in Tuscany with Tenuta di Trinoro, saw something no one else did.
Read MoreThere is a misconception that Italian sparkling wine begins and ends with simple Prosecco. But if you dig just a little deeper, you realize that Italy is actually one of the most dynamic sparkling wine nations on earth. We have the "Grand Crus" of Valdobbiadene, the serious Metodo Classico of Lombardy, the savory fizz of Emilia, and even volcanic bubbles from the slopes of Etna.
Read MoreTo approach Ischia by sea is to witness a paradox: a lush, verdant island that rises violently from the Bay of Naples, its beauty born from the fire of ancient volcanoes. Known as the "Green Island," Ischia is famous worldwide for its thermal spas and holiday resorts, but for the true wine lover, it is hallowed ground—a place where winemaking is less an agricultural endeavor and more an act of extreme mountaineering.
Read MoreThis year’s K&L Holiday Gift Guide showcases the bottles our buyers are most excited to give (and to receive). Below you’ll find Champagne benchmarks, hand-selected Domestic gems, top-flight Tuscan classics, and versatile Loire Valley wines, plus upcoming in-store events and our Thanksgiving Pairing Guide. Consider this your roadmap to the most compelling gifts of the season.
Read MoreAs of late I found myself loving Tuscan wine more and more. That is why I want to focus on this beautiful region this year. At the end, gifting a Tuscan wine is always a smart move. No matter if the receiver is into wines or not, a Tuscan wine is easy to understand. It feels primal, in the sense that it is easily approachable and defined by a sense of comfort that you don’t find in many regions. This is the list that has defined the region in the last vintages. Give me any of these, and I’ll be happy.
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