Loire Valley Newsletter: Keith's Road Trip!

Today's Newsletter is Loire Buyer Keith Mabry's travel diary, so to speak. Having just returned from the region, he's full of fresh insight and enthuisasm for an incredibly broad and diverse range of expressions, starting with a trio of standouts from Keith's many visits while he was on the road. Our direct-import Loire producers are firing on all cylinders, showcasing the reference-point class of Loire Sauvignon Blanc. Hidden-gem regions provide unbeatable value (and longevity) for jaw-dropping bargains, and Keith pays a long-awaited visit to an all-time favorite visionary in an up-and-coming appellation.

Key Accounts – Dynamic Collecting with Our Team

If you ever find yourself looking for specific allocations, special orders, or recommendations on the world’s top collectibles, our Key Accounts team is here to help. From identifying the next great wine, trend, or under-the-radar pick, our Key Accounts team has their pulse on the market and a deep knowledge of new releases and back-vintage classics. They also provide account management, from selling to buying, from ordering to shipping.

The Fresh and Feisty 2020 Bordeauxs at UGC in San Francisco

On January 27, K&L hosted the Union des Grands Crus of Bordeaux tasting in San Francisco at City View Metreon, whereover 80 châteaux send winemakers, owners, and representatives to pour their current releases and discuss the vintage. We’ve had the honor of being the Bay Area host since the 2005 vintage, and our 15th event brought us the 2020s.

Our Top Buys in Grower Champagne

Today's Newsletter gets us back to bubbles in a big way, and not just any bubbles. Champagne buyer Gary Westby and his team have been as busy as ever tracking down the region's best direct-import buys to fill your cellar without breaking the bank. From everyday values to showstopping collectible vintage stunners, our Champagne portfolio is full to the brim with proven performers and new discoveries that with thrill even the most seasoned aficionados.

Twelve Memorable Champagnes of 2022

I can’t believe that next month will mark my 23rd year of curating Champagne here at K&L. It seems like the year 2000 was only yesterday! Twenty twenty-two was a blessed year for me for great bottles, and I had the opportunity to taste incredible stuff in Champagne, in Scotland, but also at home. I could not be more grateful for the loyalty of our Champagne-loving customers here at K&L that have given me the opportunity to do this dream job. I hope that you enjoy a look at 12 of my memorable bottles from 2022, which are presented in the chronological order of when I drank them.

Domestic Wine News: Sta. Rita Hills' Finest, An Oregon Rising Star, & Top Values

Our Domestic Buyer Ryan Woodhouse shines a spotlight on the Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County’s rising superstar wine region. This cool climate zone produces some of the most exciting Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the state, and our pages are packed with some of Ryan’s favorites. He also includes a focus on an Oregon Riesling producer who knocked his socks off and a roundup of under $20 bottles that overdeliver.

Make 2023 the Year of Bordeaux!

Today's Newsletter rings in 2023 with our first and best love—Bordeaux. As our team gears up for their annual trip this spring, we're highlighting some of our top performers and personal favorites that came our way in 2022 and looking ahead to what the coming year will bring from the world's most famous wine region.

Holiday Buying Made Easy: Our Top Picks in Nearly Every Category

Today's Newsletter is the final installment of 2022, and we're ringing out the year with a bang. Our buyers have all pitched in to compile a wide-ranging selection of holiday winners for every palate, price tier, and festive occasion. Without further ado, we'd like to wish you Happy Holidays and all the best over the next few weeks and into the New Year.

The Best Escargot Pairing

My son came home one night talking about something his teacher had mentioned: it was called escargot, and he was interested in it. I immediately snatched up the opportunity to get my kid to try a new thing and called my French friend Julie to hatch a plan. Within two days, we were gathered in my kitchen, cooking escargot and popping the corks on the Damien Hugot Grand Cru Blanc de Blanc and the 2017 Auxey-Duresses “Les Clous” from Jacques Bavard—each stunning and perfectly suited to our meal.

A Fitting Homage: Damien Hugot

Anyone who has met Damien Hugot, either in Champagne or here at one of our tastings, knows that he is full of a good time, and full of lust for life. He saves his serious side for his vineyard, which he tends like a garden, and for his work in his immaculately clean winery. This year he released a brand new cuvée, the Damien Hugot "Hommage 1921" Extra Brut Champagne, which is an homage to his great grandfather, who started making his own wine south of Épernay back in 1921.

Thanksgiving Stars to Elevate Your Holiday Feast

Today's Newsletter gets us in the holiday mood with a truly all-encompassing look at our absolute favorite picks for pairing with a large and diverse holiday feast. Our best-in-the-business team of buyers has you covered with hand-picked selections that will shine in any holiday occasion, from the most casual, warm-hearted get-togethers to the most intricate and luxurious affairs.

Derot-Delugny: The Best Deal in 2012 Vintage Champagne

This past May, I traveled to the far west of Champagne, to the lovely, tiny village of Crouttes-sur-Marne, to visit brother-and-sister team Laurent and Claire at Champagne Derot-Delugny. They are one of the oldest grower producers in the western Marne Valley, having sold Champagne in bottle since 1929. This long tradition has given them the gift of patience and the ability to sell vintage Champagne at 10 years old, the 2012 that is the main subject of this article.

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