When Marco de Grazia first arrived on the north slope of Mount Etna in the early 2000s, he wasn't just looking to make wine, he was looking to prove a point. As a long-time exporter who had spent decades tasting the finest Burgundies and Barolos, Marco saw something in the "black lands" of the volcano that others had overlooked: a map of individual Contrade (crus) that could produce wines of world-class elegance.
Read MoreWhen Andrea Franchetti arrived on Mount Etna in 2000, the mountain was not the glamorous wine destination it is today. It was a wild, forgotten frontier, dotted with abandoned vineyards and ancient stone terraces crumbling under the weight of neglect. But Franchetti, a visionary who had already created a cult legend in Tuscany with Tenuta di Trinoro, saw something no one else did.
Read MoreThis year I’ve selected outstanding Italian wines that work beautifully with Thanksgiving foods. Italian may not be the traditional route, but the food-friendliness and structure of these wines will make them an absolute knockout at your table. Whether you're looking for a crisp, mineral-driven white or a show-stopping red, look no further than K&L’s Italian aisle.
Read MoreThere's a magic to wines born by the sea—a saline freshness that seems to carry the coastal breeze in every glass. With this selection I want to dive into some of my favorite whites for summer. From the sun-drenched shores of Sardinia to the rolling hills of Tuscany and the dramatic cliffs of Liguria, Vermentino and its close cousin, Pigato, reign supreme. V
Read MoreSome winemakers create wines that seem to have a life of their own. The wines tell stories. The wines alter your perception about a location. Arianna Occhipinti is one of those winemakers.
Read MoreIf they ask me which region is my favorite in Italy, I usually say Abruzzo. It is a true natural beauty, with a mountain (Gran Sasso) and amazing beach sites all in one region. It is a little like California, in fact. Plus, the wines of Abruzzo are stunning... It is home to an under-the-radar winery that I love: Amorotti.
Read MoreSicily is probably my favorite Italian wine region. I love the people, the colors, the food, and, of course, the wine. I like to think of Sicily as the original melting pot, the real heartland of the world. The wines found throughout the region speak to this diversity with brilliance, and represent some unique and singular expressions.
Read MoreAs we begin to bunker down and try to stay healthy, what’s better than a giant pot of soup? Not much—unless you pair it with the lively Cerasuola di Vittoria from Gulfi. The perfect comfort food for rainy, weird times!
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