Indigenous grapes, old-vine vineyards, organic farming, fresh new talent, and diverse terroir: this is the new Spain. If you haven’t revisited the Spanish wine aisle in awhile, you’ll be amazed at all the fresh energy pouring out of the country in vinous form. Let Spain Wine Buyer Kirk Walker take you on a tour of his favorite spots and producers in today’s newsletter.
Read MoreWhat if I told you that you can buy an absolutely crushable organic red blend—that earned 97 points and Best in Show for 2021 Decanter World Wine Awards—for under $20? Allow me to present the 2020 Ayles "Cuesta del Herrero" Tinto Vino de Pago Aragon.
Read MoreWhen I heard that K&L Wine Merchant’s co-founder, Clyde Beffa Jr., was hosting a Bordeaux tasting for his birthday at our San Francisco store, I knew it was a can’t-miss opportunity.
Read MoreToday's Newsletter takes us to Italy, with a focus of the northern half of the Boot. Top Tuscan reds lead the way, all in stock with glowing critical acclaim and exceptional pricing, and we introduce you to the stunning Alto Adige reds (yes, reds!) of the brilliant Elisabetta Foradori. A carefully curated selection of top buys puts the spotlight on Piedmont's recent vintages, and a trio of staff picks from our Italian team should be on everyone's radar.
Read MoreIt is only rarely in my career that I have encountered a Champagne as entrancing as the just-released 2010 Billecart-Salmon Rosé.
Read MoreRedwood City staffer Lilia McIntosh is a masterful home cook. She has whipped up a pairing that looks simply mouthwatering: a Premier Cru Burgundy from direct import producer Jean-Michel Giboulot and a elegant green-peppercorn duck. She originally made this last Christmas, but it would be perfect on an Easter or Passover table.
Read MoreLast week in the James Barr Tasting Room at K&L in Redwood City, the staff was honored with a visit from Bordeaux, France, from Léa Zuger, fourth-generation owner of one of the top wineries in the Margaux region, Malescot-St-Exupéry. Between the riches of the cellars of Château Malescot and the vast stores of knowledge of K&L owner Clyde Beffa, this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The staff tasted ten different vintages of the 3eme Grand Cru Classé château ranging from 2000 to 2019.
Read MoreToday'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.
Read MoreI missed the introduction to Lorenzo Pasquini before he began guiding the Château d’Yquem staff tasting last week at our San Francisco store. When I nosed the first pour, I didn’t know what he did for the winery. All I knew was that the wines and his passion and charisma shone brilliantly, which inspired me to ask if he would sit down for an impromptu video tasting.
Read MoreEvery year, Champagne Krug decides on a single ingredient to inspire top chefs and home cooks a like. This year, that ingredient is the lemon, a fruit that my wife Cinnamon is obsessed with. We decided on a variation of one of my mother’s signature dishes, lemon chicken. But instead of the regular Western presentation with sides, we decided to do it as a Japanese style chicken katsu bowl.
Read MoreIf 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.
Read MoreOn 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.
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