Spring Is in the Air: The Return of Spritz Season

For me, spring marks the unmistakable return of spritz season at K&L, when Prosecco, Italian aperitifs, and fresh botanicals once again define how I drink as the days grow warmer. The classic Aperol Spritz is always my starting point, but I’m just as drawn to lighter, more aromatic variations like the Hugo Spritz, where elderflower liqueur adds a floral lift perfect for brunches and Mother’s Day celebrations. When I want more depth, the Negroni Sbagliato and the historic Americano showcase the versatility of vermouth and bitter aperitivo. Built on sparkling wine, soda, or aromatized wine, the spritz remains my go‑to cocktail for spring.

Spirits Selections in a New York Minute

Greetings from Midtown Manhattan, where I’m proud to represent the third generation of my family to work in the New York wine and spirits trade. With decades behind the counter—and now a new chapter as a Spirits Buyer at K&L—I’ve pulled together ten bottles I genuinely believe deserve your attention this spring. As warm‑weather holidays stack up, these selections span mezcal, tequila, whisky, rum, gin, and bourbon, each chosen for character, craftsmanship, and sheer drinkability. These aren’t trend‑driven picks or flashy one‑offs—they’re bottles I reach for, recommend, and enjoy. If you’re looking for smart, celebratory spirits with real stories behind them, start here.

Inside Vietti’s 2021 Barolo Crus

Few estates in Piedmont occupy the rarefied position that Vietti holds today. Founded in the late 19th century in Castiglione Falletto, Vietti has long been both a guardian of tradition and a catalyst for progress, helping to define how the world understands Barolo and Barbaresco. Decades before single‑vineyard bottlings became the norm, Vietti was already isolating and elevating individual crus, insisting that Barolo was not a monolith but a mosaic of distinct sites. That conviction—paired with meticulous farming, sensitive winemaking, and an unerring sense of balance—has made Vietti one of the great reference-point producers of Piedmont.

Discover Tenute Inverso: A K&L Exclusive from Abruzzo, Italy

Located east of Rome between the Apennine Mountains and the Adriatic Sea, Abruzzo produces some of Italy’s most food‑friendly wines—and Tenute Inverso may be its most exciting under‑the‑radar estate.

This tiny, family‑run winery focuses on Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, farmed responsibly and made with minimal intervention. No oak. No ambition to impress. Just honest wines that belong at the table.

Cerbaiona Joins K&L Direct Imports: A Cult Brunello di Montalcino Producer

I’m honored to welcome the cult Brunello di Montalcino estate Cerbaiona to our Direct Import portfolio. Located on a prestigious Galestro ridge in Montalcino, Cerbaiona is world-renowned for its high-altitude elegance and uncompromising traditional winemaking. This is a massive milestone for our Direct Import program. In the world of Montalcino, Cerbaiona is one of those names that collectors and buyers discuss in hushed, reverent tones. As the national buyer for Italian wine, I have spent years tracking this estate, and bringing it into our DI portfolio is a career highlight.

2021 Brunello di Montalcino Vintage Guide: Cellar-Worthy and Structured

2021 Brunello di Montalcino is starting to hit our shelves. This is the great “vertical” vintage—defined by precision, al dente structure, and mineral-driven energy. Transparent, cellar‑worthy, and built for the long haul, 2021 captures everything that makes Montalcino the benchmark for Sangiovese collectors.

The Loire Valley: Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, and the Wines That Define the Region

Join me on this journey through the Loire as we highlight some of the best bottles on our shelves and hear from team members who share this passion for one of France's most diverse and exciting wine regions.

Beyond Sancerre: The Loire’s Next Great Sauvignon Blancs

With its steep hillsides, clay-limestone soils, and legions of passionate devotees, Sancerre remains at the pinnacle of Sauvignon Blanc in the Loire, if not the world. This is the style of Sauvignon Blanc that has set the bar to which all other versions of that animated grape aspire. But hardly to be forgotten are the astonishing wines of its next door neighbor Pouilly-Fumé, where the silex soils lend subtle and engaging aromas of gunflint to the wines.

A Love Letter to the Loire

I have long been a fan of Loire wines, well before I became the buyer for the category at K&L. The crisp, mineral-driven Sauvignon Blancs of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé were among the first wines I drank, even before I joined the wine industry. Back then, Pouilly-Fumé was the region to watch, driven by the cult producer Didier Dagueneau and the vibrant, smoky whites produced there. Sancerre was still a few years away from becoming the ubiquitous wine you now see on restaurant menus around the world.

Fresh Finds from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa

This month, we'll take a tour of some of my favorite wine regions in the Southern Hemisphere, and there's much to be excited about. From the Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs of Australia and New Zealand to the iconic Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs that helped redefine the variety, there's something here for every kind of wine drinker.

Elegance Reimagined: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Australia and New Zealand

If you had to choose grape varieties to define New Zealand and Australia, they would surely be Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz, respectively. And with good reason, since both countries have made an indelible mark upon on the wine world with those varieties. In recent years, however, Burgundy enthusiasts increasingly have been turning to the Southern Hemisphere to explore new styles of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. With such a wide range of climates and regions across the two countries, there is a style to suit every palate.

Sommelier-Led Wine Experiences, Tailored to Your Occasion

Have you ever dreamed of having your own private somm at your party, ready with the perfect wine pairings in hand and a bit of entertaining education to back them up? Let us introduce you to our Somm Services program, where we can customize wine-centric events to help you host the perfect soirée, whether you want to impress clients or hang out with your closest friends.

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