Dão is one of the most unique regions in the country. It is essentially an isolated bowl located in the center north of Portugal. It is surrounded by mountains, which protect it not only from coastal influence but also from the sweltering heat of the middle of the Iberian Peninsula. This is a place apart from the rest of the winemaking regions of the country. While most vineyards are not planted on the slopes of the surrounding mountains, the region has an alpine feel. Here the smaller vineyard holdings are surrounded by forests. It is not uncommon to find giant granite boulders strewn across the landscape—it has an untamed feel to it. The wines from the region have been called the Burgundies of Portugal. While I do not know if that fits, the wines do feel brighter, more aromatic, and more restrained—especially when compared to the bold, sun-drenched wines from the rest of the country.

Look to Spain's Galicia Region for Exciting White Wines

The most important wine region in Spain’s Galicia area is Rias Baixas. What is interesting is that it is better known for Albariño than even by its own name. I am as guilty as the next person for this, as I rarely ask someone if they like the wines from Rias Baixas; rather I ask if they like Albariño. I think that Albariño is one of the most exciting white grape varieties in the world. Here is a selection of some delicious Albariños currently on our shelves, all comfortably under $30. These are definitely worth checking out for any white wine drinker!

Hermanos Hernáiz: “Charming and Serious” Rioja from a Special Vineyard

Last year we started our relationship with the Hernaiz brothers. I am enamored with their wines. They do two of the most important things a wine can do: The first and foremost, their wines are delicious. It is a treat to drink their wines. Secondly, their wines tell a story. That is something that not all wines need to do, but for me these wines perfectly capture Rioja, the deep history of the region, and how it is trying to move forward.

Cristal and Sushi with Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon

Last night Cinnamon and I were treated to a once in a lifetime evening of sushi and Champagne with Jean Baptiste Lécaillon, the chef de cave of Champagne Louis Roederer. He invited us to Sushi Hashiri for a special meal paired with Roederer, including five vintages of Cristal, by chef Toshiaki and my long-time friend Yuri Shima. The wines, the food, and the pairings were unforgettable.

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.

Barolo, Barbaresco, Brunello: The Ultimate Guide to Italy’s Wine Vintages

It has been a long time since I first wanted to write a vintage guide for the main categories of wine that Italy offers. As wine professionals, we often place too much emphasis on vintage and risk miscommunicating its importance to customers. While vintage undoubtedly impacts the wine’s final taste, it doesn’t tell the whole story. A good bottle is a good bottle, and how it tastes depends as much on your expectations as on the vintage itself. Moreover, a great producer rarely makes a bad bottle, even in challenging years. In fact, I truly enjoy tasting wines from great producers in less favorable vintages; it’s fascinating to see how they interpret the conditions of the year.

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!

Tuscany’s Wines Provide Endless Charm

Tuscany is a region with endless charm. It combines the beauty of nature with its historical heritage, and it has a deep-rooted connection to viticulture. It has complex hills that brings various micro-climates and a centuries-old winemaking tradition that makes this region one of Italy's most famous. Join us this Saturday, Feb 1st to taste, and join me On the Trail to explore these wines.

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.

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