Spain offers some of the best wine values in the world because it combines ideal growing conditions with deep-rooted tradition and relatively low production costs. Much of the country, especially regions like Rioja, Ribera del Duero, and Aragón, has abundant sunshine, varied elevations, and old vines that produce wines of great concentration and complexity.
Read MoreProducing everything from delicate, almost ethereal wines to intensely concentrated and juicy styles, Garnacha is a true chameleon. This, in my opinion, makes it a fascinating variety to explore. And with the world’s highest concentration of old vines, Spain is the country to turn to in order to understand this historic grape.
Read MoreIn recent years, Rioja has been experiencing a tidal wave of change, with many young and new winemakers eager to make their mark upon the classic region. And while Rioja might still be most well-known for the long-aged wines of the Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva classification system, smaller wineries are increasingly rejecting this system in favor of the flexibility to craft wines that represent a more modern, terroir-driven perspective. The resulting “modern” Rioja wines bear the generic Rioja label, but they are anything but generic!
Read MoreAt K&L, we love St. Patrick’s Day not for the kitsch, but for the craftsmanship—those meticulously made whiskeys, the world‑class stouts, the modern Irish spirits driving a new wave of cocktail culture. This guide is your passport to all of it: the bottles worth hoarding, the pours worth sharing, and the proper cocktails that prove Irish spirits can do far more than fuel a party.
Read MoreOnce the global capital of whiskey, Ireland had almost 90 licensed producers and provided 70% or more of the whiskey consumed worldwide around the end of the 18th century. This is the birthplace of uisce beatha, or water of life, after all. Due to socio-economic and political issues, however, that industry contracted to only three distilleries by the mid 1900s. Thankfully, they’re experiencing a renaissance today similar to that of American whiskey, and the quality of product keeps getting better.
Read MoreIreland is famous for its rich, bone-warming stouts and easy‑drinking red ales, but you don’t need to limit yourself to imports to get into the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day. Some of the best American craft breweries are turning out beers that channel the classic styles of Ireland—with creativity, precision, and plenty of character.
Read MoreFor a long time, I've believed that if K&L were ever to expand beyond California, New York would be the right place to do it. Not just because of the market, but because New York wine and spirits lovers are exactly the kind of customers K&L was built for: knowledgeable, passionate, and willing to reward a shop that does the work.
Read MoreThis year, we have the great honor of celebrating K&L’s 50th anniversary! Back on New Year’s Eve 1976, when K&L Liquors opened its doors in Milbrae, it’s hard to imagine that owners Todd Zucker and Clyde Beffa would have had any idea the longevity, not to mention the impact, that their small business has enjoyed. From selling cigarettes and Everclear to becoming one of the preeminent Bordeaux merchants on the West Coast, K&L has been able to stay nimble as times change, while still offering affordable prices and exceptional quality.
Read MoreFebruary offers a fresh look at the depth and range of American wine, and this month’s domestic lineup at K&L shows just how compelling and approachable the category has become. From sharply priced, high-scoring Napa Valley Cabernet to small-production Oregon Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with a real sense of place, these bottles highlight the sweet spot where pedigree meets value. We’ve also taken on one of our favorite challenges: just how well can you drink for under $30? Very well, as it turns out. Alongside those everyday standouts, you’ll find a selection of luxurious 97–100-point whites and reds suited for collectors and special occasions alike. Whether you’re refilling the cellar, discovering new producers, or hunting for benchmark bottles without benchmark prices, this newsletter will guide the way. And don’t miss our upcoming in-store tastings and events, where many of these wines come to life in the glass.
Read MoreAs the Domestic Wine Buyer at K&L the part of my job that takes up the vast majority of my time and effort is making sure we have a best-in-class selection of wines that over-deliver on value for money. I taste hundreds of wines every week, travel to wine regions to seek out new talent, and work with dozens of suppliers to try and find you the very best deals in wine, and to do so without cutting corners on quality, and still focusing on small production, artisanal wines.
Read MoreThe Holocene wines are some of the most exciting wines I’ve seen out of Oregon in the past few years. They’re very small production wines, typically only a few hundred cases of each bottling. The wines are made with precision and poise but without too much winemaking input. Native yeasts, minimal intervention, modest use of oak. The purity of all the wines is compelling, as is their vibrancy and transparent sense of place.
Read MoreWhen starting to write this article I asked Google what I should expect to pay for high-quality, top scoring Napa Cabernet. The answer was $200 to $4000 per bottle! Well, I thought, we can do better than that. So I decided to write a list of what I consider to be some of the best of the best Napa Valley wines—these all deliver exceptional quality, respected pedigree, cellaring potential, and massive critical acclaim. Then I gave myself a budget not to exceed $100 per bottle, and here’s what I came up with.
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