French Regional Buyer Keith Mabry joined me on Instagram Live to discuss new releases from some of his favorite Direct Import producers from the Languedoc-Roussillon. The wines were singing, and, as always, represent exceptional value.
Read MoreOur French Regional Buyer Keith Mabry makes the case that southern France's Languedoc-Roussillon region is THE place to currently find the best deals for everyday drinking. He's chosen six of his favorites and provides some geology, some geography, some history, and a whole lotta fun tasting notes.
Read MoreThe 2019 vintage from one of our favorite Minervois producers has just hit the shelves. If you’re looking from sunshine from the South of France, look no further than the Chapelle en Rosé and the Petite Saint Jacques. Owner Graham Nutter took some time to show us the historic chapel on his property and his organic vineyards.
Read MoreIf you’ve been following our social media, you might have noticed that one of our favorite women winemakers from France was out last week visiting California. Françoise Antech, the sixth-generation winemaker from her eponymous estate, was on a quick tour of California and managed to stop in all of our stores, holding three staff tastings and two public tastings. Her incredible energy and enthusiasm was absolutely infectious, and her knowledge and stories were a highlight of the week.
Read MoreHot off the presses, our current newsletter, where French Regional Buyer Keith Mabry takes us on a Tour de France, covering some of the hottest Rhône, Loire, and Rousillon wines on our roster. Vintages have been good, and our producers are knocking it out of the park.
Read MoreThe other day I tucked into a Syrah-dominated bottle of Minervois made by Chateau St-Jacques d’Albas, and was reminded exactly why I love Minervois. The bottle, from the 2015 vintage, was all juicy black fruits with structure and a sexy smokiness at an excellent price. And this is what good Minervois can do: knock your Tuesday night out of the park. I’m always on the hunt for an imminently drinkable companion to everyday life that will be more delicious than precious. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a time and place for precious wines, but I love a wine that punches way above its weight class. And Chateau St-Jacques delivers.
Read MoreWhen I walked into Keith’s house last week, I was greeted by a merry group of K&Lers and friends, and two long tables set with rustic red-checked covers. There was a luscious, savory aroma intertwining the conversations, and a glass in each person’s hand. For tonight was Cassoulet night, night of the rich bean-and-meat stew from the Languedoc, named after the casserole pot it’s cooked in.
Read MoreIn the last few decades, there has been an influx of new vintners to the Languedoc-Roussillon, bringing with them both quality and excitement. Nowhere is this energy more apparent than with Les Vinifilles (translated as “wine girls”), a trade organization of women formed to support one another and celebrate the “culture of wine.” They describe themselves as “beautiful, rebellious, active, food-loving, likeable, sociable and lively.” This infectious excitement and enthusiasm, for wine and for each other, is how our Buyer Keith Mabry progressively discovered the wines and brought them into K&L.
Read MoreWe recently had the rare treat of having Château de l’Ou’s winemaker/owner Séverine Bourrier here in LA for a whole week. She poured for the staff last Wednesday and for customers on Saturday, then joined us for a staff get together. It was a great chance to really get to know her and her wines, which include some of K&L’s all-time best sellers. It was likewise a chance for our customers to try her wines and get the full story behind each one: vintage, winemaking, you name it. Séverine was so open and friendly that it was easy to spend time with her and learn from her.
Read MoreThere is so much to understand about a glass of wine but learning about the person and story behind it appeals to me as much as what’s in the glass. And winemakers are a passionate, interesting bunch. Their stories are usually full of twists and turns, and, at the very least, a whole lot of heart. Jean Marc Lafage certainly is a winemaker full of heart, though he’s smart and thorough and works as precisely as possible in both the vineyard and the cellar. This week, I had the pleasure of getting to know him.
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