The Best Values in Grower Champagne: Baron-Fuenté and Gilbert Jacquesson

I don’t think that there are two producers in the U.S. market that can compete with Baron-Fuenté and Gilbert Jacquesson for value. While we have seen big, and sometimes downright gross, price increases from so many of the big names, the prices of these two producers have remained stable at K&L for many years. We celebrate that regularly at home by drinking a little bit more of both of them, and I hope this holiday season you will join me and the staff of K&L in enjoying an extra bottle every now and then. Why not!?

France, Wine Newsletter, ChampagneGary WestbyNovember 27, 2023K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, champagne, baron fuente, wine newsletter, gilbert jacquesson, gary westby, value champagne, grower champagne

New Champagne Discovery: Cordoin Didierlaurent

Even though I have been travelling to Champagne two to three times every year for 23 years, there is still so much to discover. This May, one of the biggest discoveries I have had in a long time came in the sleepy Marne River town of Port-a-Binson at Champagne Cordoin Didierlaurent. There I met Pierre-Emanuel Cordoin, vine grower and winemaker for this 21-acre estate and tasted his fantastic wines.

Wine Newsletter, ChampagneGary WestbyNovember 25, 2023K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, on the trail, klwines on the trail, gary westby, champagne, cordoin didierlaurent, grower champagne, single vineyard champagne

Champagne Petiau: Trépail Super Star

We have a new direct-import producer in stock, from the famous perle blanche de la Montagne de Reims—the white pearl of the mountain of Reims—the 1er Cru of Trépail... Up until now, most of their sales have been at the cellar door in France, and this is the first time the wines have been available in the U.S. Since we buy direct from Lorène Petiau, the prices are amazing for our K&L Champagne fans.

France, Wine Newsletter, ChampagneGary WestbyNovember 24, 2023K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, champagne, champagne peitau, gary westby, grower champagne, k&l direct import producer

Billecart-Salmon’s Stunning Champagnes Are Perfect for the Holidays

Established in 1818 with the marriage of Nicolas François Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon, Champagne Billecart-Salmon is perched at the pinnacle of Champagne’s Grand Marques. Located along the Marne River in the renowned village of Marieul-sur-Aÿ, it is still family-owned and operated 205 years later. Seventh-generation vigneron Mathieu Roland-Billecart is now at the helm alongside sixth-generation mentors Antoine Roland-Billecart, Deputy General Manager, and Jean and François Roland-Billecart.

France, Wine Newsletter, ChampagnePhilip RoufailNovember 22, 2023K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, billecart salmon, billecart salmon rose champagne, mathieu roland Billecart, wine news, champagne, wine newsletter, thanksgiving champagne, holiday champgne

Champagne Aspasie: Always Number One in Our Hearts

If my memory serves me correctly, we are approaching our 20th year since initiating our very successful small-estate Champagne import program, care of Gary Westby! It was an immediate hit, and to this day it still surprises me how well the wines beautifully balance high quality and extreme value. As many of our long-time customers know, the nonvintage bottling from Champagne Ariston Aspasie was our first direct import for this program. Paul Vincent Aristan and his wife Caroline have been with us from the start.

France, Wine Newsletter, ChampagneScott BeckerleyNovember 21, 2023K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, champagne, aspasie, paul vincent ariston, gary westby, scott beckerley, thanksgiving champagne, holiday wine, christmas champagne, hannukah champagne

Thanksgiving Wine Picks: Hand-Selected Gems for Your Table

We know the feeling. It happens every year. Before we know it, the holidays are upon us, and it's time to start planning for multiple feasts and days filled with entertaining friends and family. Our buying guide takes the guesswork out of your wine selections with expertly chosen candidates for any table and any food pairing, all selected by our team of buyers, who will be pouring these proven performers at their own holiday tables this year.

Wine NewsletterKate SotoNovember 14, 2023K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, wine news, wine newsletter, thanksgiving wine, thanksgiving

Casa Castillo’s Vibrant Spanish Red Is Perfect for the Thanksgiving Table

In the world of Spanish wine there is a quiet revolution occurring, not unlike what is happening in some parts of France and the U.S. Winemakers young and old are challenging their regional traditions and making lighter, fresher wines than their parents or grandparents did.

Spain, Wine NewsletterKirk WalkerNovember 11, 2023K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, kirk walker, spanish wine, jumilla, thanksgiving wine, wine news, on the trail, organic wine, casa castillo

Thanksgiving Champagne!

When I think of being thankful this time of year, one of the first things that pops into my mind is my gratitude to the farmers who feed us and grow the grapes for the wines that make our lives so much better. The first person who comes to mind is Paul-Vincent Ariston, the boss at Champagne Aspasie in the tiny village of Brouillet. He is one of the hardest working men I know, and one of the most patient. At home this year we will be starting off our Thanksgiving festivities with his excellent Ariston Aspasie "Réserve" Brut Champagne $34.99.

Wine Newsletter, ChampagneGary WestbyNovember 10, 2023K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, thanksgiving wine, thanksgiving champagne, champagne, gary westby, billecart salmon rose champagne, ariston aspasie champagne, rose champagne

The Eating and Drinking Marathon That Is Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is a marathon, not a sprint! The only other day that can hold a candle to Thanksgiving for sheer endurance eating is Christmas. But on Christmas Day there are presents and other distractions to draw your attention away from the food. On Thanksgiving the primary purpose of the day is to feast on as much delicious food and wine as possible while you hang out with your loved ones.

Wine NewsletterRyan WoodhouseNovember 9, 2023K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, thanksgiving wine, ryan woodhouse, domestic wine, pinot noir, aromatic white wines, california sparkling wine, long island wine, wine newsletter, on the trail

Thanksgiving Wines for Every Table

Food-and-wine pairing is more than a parlor trick; it’s a brain teaser than can bring out the real joy in eating. On Thanksgiving, when there are myriad flavors and textures on the same plate, wine lovers have their work cut out for them. This week, we’re doing a roundup of favorite in-stock choices from our wine buyers—each handpicked, each as unique as the buyers themselves.

Bordeaux, Wine Newsletter, ItalyKate SotoNovember 8, 2023K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, thanksgiving, thanksgiving wines, food and wine pairing, on the trail, wine newsletter, holiday wines, turkey wines

The Best Bang for Your Buck in Burgundy

This week's newsletter is all about Burgundy value. If you thought the concept of bang for the buck in Burgundy was a thing of the past, think again. We've made it our mission to do the hard work of unearthing the region's hidden-gem regions and unsung domaines in order to make this category accessible to the widest possible audience.

burgundy, France, Wine NewsletterAlex ProssNovember 1, 2023K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, burgundy, burgundy newsletter, alex pross, wine newsletter, wine news, on the trail, bourgogne

The Burgundy Wine Values Hiding in Plain Sight

Many of the lesser-known appellations in Burgundy have been making huge improvements in quality over the last 10+ years, and I’ve been travelling to these regions each year to find the hidden gems. Let’s take a deeper look at the Mâcon, Beaujolais, and the Côte Chalonnaise. These are all regions that are absolutely bursting with amazing values.

burgundy, France, Wine NewsletterAlex ProssOctober 30, 2023K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, macon, beaune, value burgundy, pinot noir, wine, burgundy, alex pross, chateau de la charriere, domaine renaud, chardonnay, on the trail, wine newsletter

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