As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, there’s no better time to raise a glass to Ireland’s rich drinking traditions. Whether you’re reaching for a classic stout, an exceptional Irish whiskey, or a craft-distilled gin, we have the perfect selections to mark the occasion. From unbeatable beer picks to rare, collectible spirits, explore our expertly curated lineup and discover the best of Irish craftsmanship. Cheers to a spirited celebration!
Read MoreSt. Patrick's Day is upon us! Many enjoy this celebration of Irish culture with a beer or two, and we have a few great selections to enjoy the festivities with.
Read MoreThe wonderful Writer’s Tears brand has become a staple on our shelves by blending Irish Single Malt and Single Pot Whiskies. The distinction is the use of un-malted barley in the mash for the Single Pot, where as the Single Malts use exclusively 100% malted Barley. The Walsh Whiskey Company was revolutionary by building the first distillery to manually produce all three styles of Irish whiskey (grain being the third) under one roof. Rosemary and Bernard Walsh have since divested of the distillery they built but kept the wonderful brands they’ve created and continue to produce exceptional and affordable Irish whiskey for the a modern palate.
Read MoreThe recent explosion of Irish whiskey has been fueled almost exclusively by one distillery: Midleton. The old plant in Cork is at the crux of an exciting turning point in Irish whiskey heritage. The New Midleton distillery has shepherded Irish whiskey from near distinction to the complete renaissance that we’re currently in the throes of. Thanks to their dedication to the spirit’s heritage as well as their embrace of modern technology, this distillery is producing some of the best current examples of Irish whiskey in the market—and, fortunately for us, we can get these at insane prices.
Read MoreOne of the best parts of my job is finding amazing new California wines to share with you. This lineup has a little bit of everything—crisp Sauvignon Blancs for sunny days, hidden-gem wineries making waves with small-lot wines, and even exclusive Napa library releases. I’m also especially excited about our upcoming tasting, where we’ll explore wines from California’s prehistoric seabeds. Whether you’re looking for an everyday favorite or a rare collectible, these picks are some of the most exciting bottles out there right now.
Read MoreVery few wines in Napa have even a fraction of the pedigree and quality you'll find in the wines from Ad Vivum. They are sourced exclusively from one of the best parcels in one of the most highly respected vineyards in Yountville and hand crafted by a winemaker with unbelievable experience and excellence. Ad Vivum is a small project from longtime veteran winemaker Chris Phelps. Chris gained a degree in viticulture and enology at UC Davis before heading to France to further his studies at the University of Bordeaux. After becoming friends with mentor and vigneron Christian Moueix, Chris worked at Château Petrus in Pomerol and several other Moueix properties in the region. Earning his trust and respect, Moueix then handpicked Chris to become the founding winemaker of his new venture in Napa Valley—Dominus.
Read MoreHendry Estate is a true hidden gem and one of my favorite places in all of Napa Valley. The wines are great, the views are beautiful, the surroundings calm and serene. But perhaps more importantly than any of those things, spending an hour or two at Hendry is like stepping back into a bygone era of Napa Valley. An era when multigenerational farming families worked the land together. An era when specific blocks of land were planted to varieties that made the most sense for quality and expression of place rather than an economic calculation of what variety would yield the highest return on investment.
Read MoreRarely have I ever tasted through a line up of wines from a producer I have never heard of before and been so flat-out stunned. My first thought was, “How have I never heard of or tasted these wines before!?” It’s not that I expect to know every producer in the market, but I do pride myself in keeping my finger on the pulse of what’s going on and who is making exciting wines—so when a new (to me) winery pops up, in a region so near and dear to my heart, and blows me away… it’s a (happy) surprise. That’s exactly what happened recently with my first exposure to Common Thread wines.
Read MoreOn Tuesday evening, Lilia from K&L Redwood City and I were lucky enough to be invited to a dinner at the Sea by Alexander’s Steakhouse by Naomi Smith, the director of sales for Laurent-Perrier in the U.S. It was a marvelous night with two of my favorite women in the wine business, and the fantastic seafood went perfectly with the elegant wines of Laurent-Perrier.
Read MoreOne of my favorite things about the Iberian Peninsula is that there’s always something new to discover. After many years on my wine journey, I’m still finding new gems here—and it's my job to know them! Sometimes it’s an undiscovered region with centuries of grape-growing history, or a reimagined variety or style. I especially love discovering new grape varieties. With so many great wines out there, it's easy to overlook hidden gems, but today I’m here to share a few for you to explore on your own wine journey. From best buy Riojas, to under-the-radar Portuguese deals, and hard to come by collectibles, this selection has a little bit of something for everyone. Enjoy!
Read MoreOne of my favorite things about the Iberian Peninsula is that there is always something new to be discovered. I have been on my wine journey for a long time, and I am still always finding new things on this peninsula—and it is my job to know these things! Sometimes it is a region: a place where grapes have been grown for centuries but maybe is too isolated or too small to have rated as an appellation—that is until the world finds out the exceptional wine that is being made there. Sometimes it is the reimagining of variety or a style. And I always love discovering new grape varieties. There are so many great wines out there it is all too easy to overlook the off the beaten path wines. But I’m here today to bring you a few to discover on your own wine journey.
Read MoreThere are several great things about the sparkling wines of Spain. My very favorite is the ratio of quality to value. You can get some excellent wines of superior quality for under $40. I had the opportunity, care of K&L Spanish & Portuguese Wine Buyer Kirk Walker, to taste quite a few of these on Valentine’s Day eve. I am familiar with some of them while others are brand new to me.
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