As the temperatures rise across California, our Domestic Buyers have been grabbing their jackets and hitting the coolest spots up and down the coast. What they’ve found are some of the most exciting wines and winemakers in the entire US, and you'll find their stories in this month's newsletter. And there are plenty of stories to tell—so much so that this is the biggest newsletter of the year (so far!).
Read MoreOn Monday night, browsing through my Instagram feed, I was shocked to read about the sudden passing of Jim Clendenen. I have seen many outpourings of heartfelt sorrow for Jim's untimely death and several anecdotal stores highlighting just what a colorful guy he was. So, I figured I'd share a quick story about the first time I met Jim back in 2009.
Read MoreIn this week’s newsletter, K&L’s Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa Buyer, Thomas Smith, has a litany of bottles from the other side of the world that will be at home by grill or by garden. If you’re in the mood for a sizzling burger hot off a campsite fire pit, try a Bordeaux blend from Stellenbosch. Ceviche by the beach? Try one of Australia’s powerful, bone-dry Rieslings from Eden Valley. Just want to catch up with friends in your own backyard? Try a bubbly rosé from Tasmania or a Pinot Meunier rosé from New Zealand. The possibilities for summer fun are endless!
Read MoreIn today’s newsletter, Buyer Alex Pross takes readers on a journey through the white wines of Germany and Austria, two historic regions that make some of the finest, longest-lived whites in the world. Both Riesling and Grüner Veltliner have earned an enthusiastic sommelier following for their excellent ability to pair with all the trickiest dishes—sweet, sour, spicy are all even better next to the right Riesling; veggies and Grüner are absolute kismet together. The best part? The bounty of exhilarating wines to be had for under $40.
Read MoreWhen Rhône Buyer Keith Mabry and I first tasted the wines of Mas de Libian, we were so struck with their absolute vibrancy and aromatic beauty that we knew they should be part of K&L’s portfolio. They are biodynamically farmed, low-intervention, naturally made wines, but very clean and extremely well made. The complex aromas leap out of the glass, and the wines dance on the palate—these wines are the ballet dancers of the Rhône Valley.
Read MoreRhône Buyer Keith Mabry declares this “the era of the Rhone,” and in this week’s newsletter, he explores why. A string of excellent vintages, exciting new Direct Import producers, and best-in-France values—our Rhone aisle is the destination for fans of soulful wines at every price point.
Read MoreI have drunk countless bottles, magnums and even a few halves of the Ariston Aspasie Blanc de Blancs. I am confident that it is the Champagne that I have consumed more of than any other over the course of my life, and I wouldn’t put back a single drop.
Read MoreWe have big news for fans of New Zealand Pinot Noir: K&L is now the exclusive importer of Ata Rangi, one of the most well-renowned producers of Pinot in the country. For over 40 years, Clive Paton and his family have been making exceptional wines, earning official status as Grand Cru of New Zealand. We are proud that they’ve chosen us to be their exclusive retailer in the U.S., and we can’t wait to share these beautiful wines with you.
Read MoreIn this week’s newsletter, our Iberian Buyer Kirk Walker wants to encourage you to consider the “B-sides” to Spanish greatest hit wines; let’s talk focused, high-acid Alvarinho from neighboring Portugal; let’s talk Monastrell that thrives in the chalky soils of Spain’s southeastern Murcia region; and let’s talk texturally-aromatic beauties made from Garnacha Blanca in Catalonia. There’s such a wealth of wonderful wines from the Iberian Peninsula that we have a feeling you’ll be playing many of these on repeat.
Read MoreSo many of the wonderful bottles on our shelves are made by wonderful people, and our relationships are the cornerstone of our business. At this time each year, we normally send our Champagne crew out to visit the cellars and taste vin clair in Champagne, gathering intel and great deals to bring to our customers. Alas, times are different, and we are thinking fondly of those folks (whom we also missed seeing at our annual tent event last year). Next best thing: photos and tasting notes and stories about some of our fave Champagne producers.
Read MoreEach time we get a new shipment of Launois it is a cause for a little bit of celebration at K&L—and a lot of employee purchases! This is especially true each time we get a new vintage of their spectacular Special Club bottling, which is always one of the top Champagne cuvées that we have at any price. Last week, our first shipment of the year arrived, and we got our first look at the 2013 Launois “Special Club” Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut. It exceeded our high expectations.
Read MoreOur second newsletter of the year is here, and it’s an ode to all things Burgundy. We can’t get enough of the gorgeous wines from this region, and, thanks to savvy wine hunting by Buyer Alex Pross, we don’t have too. He’s filled our shelves with fantastic values that make “weeknight Burgundy” not an oxymoron. In these pages, he’s also highlighted some talented stars of the region and digs into can’t-miss vintages.
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