Sublime Summer Wines from Germany and Austria

In 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.

New to K&L: Biodaynamic Rhône Producer Mas de Libian

When 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.

Krug Rosé and Ramps—A Rare Spring Treat

Last week, my wife, Cinnamon, found ramps, a rare onion that has a very short season and usually must be foraged at our local market, Sigona’s. As I wrote about earlier this year, Krug features an ingredient every year to pair with their Champagne, and this year it is Krug x Onions. Clearly, this was a Krug occasion, and I didn’t hesitate—we had to try these rare onions with some Krug Rosé.

All Roads Lead to Rhône in This Week's Newsletter

Rhône 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.

Easter à la Bordelaise

I have a dear friend Julie who hails from Bordeaux and is an excellent cook. She loves the challenge of matching her food to whatever wine I pick out for our dinners together. So, when I told her I’d picked up the 2017 Haut Charmes from Sauternes and the 2010 Lestage from Listrac-Médoc on the Left Bank, she said we’d have to have a traditional Bordeaux dinner like she did with her family growing up. She tout suite dispatched an order to D’Artagnan, her favorite purveyor of meats and other French products. Foie gras and duck were on the menu, and we timed the event for Easter weekend.

A (Strange) Year in the Life of a Wine Buyer

When COVID-19 shut the world down 12 months ago, just about everything changed. Though it will never replace walking the vineyards or tasting barrels in the cellar with an amped-up winemaker excited to share their creations, I'm hugely grateful to the folks who have sent their wines during this time, and I have had more than a few "discoveries" that have left me stunned.

Palate Shockers

In the thousands of wines we taste at K&L each year, it is often the most strange, wildly different wines that are the most talked about... Regardless of whether you think the wine tastes good or not, they are so radically different that they always tend to inspire heated discussions and end up stealing the spotlight. So I reached out to our buying staff to compile a list of wines that will shake up your palate. If you find yourself in need of a bottle to change up your wine routine, argue over, or just explore somewhere new, check out this list.

A Perennial Favorite: Aspasie Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne

I 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.

Benvenuto to Our Excellent Stash of Brunello

Today’s newsletter is an ode to a region that lies in the heart of Italy, a place that earned our Italian buyer Greg St. Clair the unofficial title of Mayor of Montalcino: Tuscany. Home of Dante, villas on rolling hills, and Greg’s favorite grape (Sangiovese!), it is also home to one of the world’s most undeniably special wines, Brunello di Montalcino, which, in a superior vintage like 2015, reaches the greatest heights Sangiovese can offer.

Ata Rangi: Grand Cru of New Zealand Now Exclusively at K&L

We 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.

Under-the-Radar Tête de Cuvée from Drappier

Cinnamon and I try to make every Sunday special as it is our one day off together, and this week she treated us to a special Dungeness crab dip for our aperitif. To go with it, I opened perhaps the most “under the radar” of all the great houses’ tête de cuvée bottlings, the 2010 Drappier "Grande Sendrée" Brut Champagne. It was a great reminder of the incredible depth and pleasure that this single-vineyard Champagne has to offer and went fabulously with the crab dip.

The Depth and Diversity of Spanish Wine

In 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.

K&L Wine Merchants

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