On Tuesday evening, Lilia from K&L Redwood City and I were lucky enough to be invited to a dinner at the Sea by Alexander’s Steakhouse by Naomi Smith, the director of sales for Laurent-Perrier in the U.S. It was a marvelous night with two of my favorite women in the wine business, and the fantastic seafood went perfectly with the elegant wines of Laurent-Perrier.
Read MoreOne of my favorite things about the Iberian Peninsula is that there’s always something new to discover. After many years on my wine journey, I’m still finding new gems here—and it's my job to know them! Sometimes it’s an undiscovered region with centuries of grape-growing history, or a reimagined variety or style. I especially love discovering new grape varieties. With so many great wines out there, it's easy to overlook hidden gems, but today I’m here to share a few for you to explore on your own wine journey. From best buy Riojas, to under-the-radar Portuguese deals, and hard to come by collectibles, this selection has a little bit of something for everyone. Enjoy!
Read MoreFew vineyards in the world hold the status of Vigna Francia, a vineyard in Serralunga d’Alba that has become synonymous with Giacomo Conterno’s Barolo and Barbera. Bought by the Conterno family in 1974, it represents one of the most essential and unique terroirs in Barolo, yielding wines of profound structure, beauty, and longevity. I mean, this is the vineyard of Monfortino after all, the most important Italian wine ever made.
Read MoreOne of my favorite things about the Iberian Peninsula is that there is always something new to be discovered. I have been on my wine journey for a long time, and I am still always finding new things on this peninsula—and it is my job to know these things! Sometimes it is a region: a place where grapes have been grown for centuries but maybe is too isolated or too small to have rated as an appellation—that is until the world finds out the exceptional wine that is being made there. Sometimes it is the reimagining of variety or a style. And I always love discovering new grape varieties. There are so many great wines out there it is all too easy to overlook the off the beaten path wines. But I’m here today to bring you a few to discover on your own wine journey.
Read MoreThere are several great things about the sparkling wines of Spain. My very favorite is the ratio of quality to value. You can get some excellent wines of superior quality for under $40. I had the opportunity, care of K&L Spanish & Portuguese Wine Buyer Kirk Walker, to taste quite a few of these on Valentine’s Day eve. I am familiar with some of them while others are brand new to me.
Read MoreDão is one of the most unique regions in the country. It is essentially an isolated bowl located in the center north of Portugal. It is surrounded by mountains, which protect it not only from coastal influence but also from the sweltering heat of the middle of the Iberian Peninsula. This is a place apart from the rest of the winemaking regions of the country. While most vineyards are not planted on the slopes of the surrounding mountains, the region has an alpine feel. Here the smaller vineyard holdings are surrounded by forests. It is not uncommon to find giant granite boulders strewn across the landscape—it has an untamed feel to it. The wines from the region have been called the Burgundies of Portugal. While I do not know if that fits, the wines do feel brighter, more aromatic, and more restrained—especially when compared to the bold, sun-drenched wines from the rest of the country.
Read MoreThe most important wine region in Spain’s Galicia area is Rias Baixas. What is interesting is that it is better known for Albariño than even by its own name. I am as guilty as the next person for this, as I rarely ask someone if they like the wines from Rias Baixas; rather I ask if they like Albariño. I think that Albariño is one of the most exciting white grape varieties in the world. Here is a selection of some delicious Albariños currently on our shelves, all comfortably under $30. These are definitely worth checking out for any white wine drinker!
Read MoreLast year we started our relationship with the Hernaiz brothers. I am enamored with their wines. They do two of the most important things a wine can do: The first and foremost, their wines are delicious. It is a treat to drink their wines. Secondly, their wines tell a story. That is something that not all wines need to do, but for me these wines perfectly capture Rioja, the deep history of the region, and how it is trying to move forward.
Read MoreLast night Cinnamon and I were treated to a once in a lifetime evening of sushi and Champagne with Jean Baptiste Lécaillon, the chef de cave of Champagne Louis Roederer. He invited us to Sushi Hashiri for a special meal paired with Roederer, including five vintages of Cristal, by chef Toshiaki and my long-time friend Yuri Shima. The wines, the food, and the pairings were unforgettable.
Read MoreWhen Barolo legend Angelo Gaja purchased Ca'Marcanda in 1996, Bolgheri was not yet the internationally recognized appellation it is today. However, Angelo had a vision: to bring his experience from Piedmont to Tuscany’s coastal terroir. Thirty years later, the exceptional Super Tuscan wines of Gaja have become the gold standard by which the region is measured.
Read MoreThe history of Valentine’s Day is as long as it is ambiguous. Whether you believe it’s rooted in the ancient Roman fertility festival called Lupercalia; the Christian Saint Valentine who performed marriages in secret; or Cupid, the Greek god of love, the idea is the same: it’s a holiday where we get to celebrate our loved ones. And in our book, that means to wine and dine them—whether its your gal pals for Galentine’s Day or your sweetheart.
Read MoreOur Buying team truly comprises some of the most knowledgeable, passionate wine and spirits experts in the biz, and we’re happy to bring you a set of their favorites from across our aisles. From years of traveling and extensive experience in the industry, each buyer represents a wealth of knowledge broadly about wine and spirits, but very deeply about their own regions and categories. If you want to shoot the breeze about soils, talk about best vintages to buy, or just learn what’s new and exciting—they are unparalleled resources! Seek them out on our sales floor or shoot them an email via our Staff Profile page.
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