A Love Letter to the Loire

I have long been a fan of Loire wines, well before I became the buyer for the category at K&L. The crisp, mineral-driven Sauvignon Blancs of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé were among the first wines I drank, even before I joined the wine industry. Back then, Pouilly-Fumé was the region to watch, driven by the cult producer Didier Dagueneau and the vibrant, smoky whites produced there. Sancerre was still a few years away from becoming the ubiquitous wine you now see on restaurant menus around the world.

Open Cellar: Mid-August Round-up

Open Cellar is ready for a mid-month refresh, so here’s a little sneak peek of some crowd favorites, some up-and-coming greats, and one legendary wine from an all-time-great vintage—each ready to be discovered one ounce (or two) at a time. Consider this your invitation to stop by to explore the greats or discover a new favorite before the lineup changes.

Discover Why the Loire Is France’s Best Wine Value

Ask a sommelier what they drink on their day off and more often than not, the answer is the Loire Valley. Why? Exceptional value, deep history, incredible diversity, and food-pairing perfection. From crisp Muscadet to age-worthy Chenin Blanc and soulful Cabernet Franc, the Loire delivers serious pedigree without the pretense—or the price tag. Below, you’ll find some of our most exciting discoveries, from under-the-radar gems to cellar-worthy icons.

Why You Need More Chenin Blanc in Your Life

In the Loire, the conversation almost always starts with Sauvignon Blanc—Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, Menetou-Salon. They are popular, and they are great. But Chenin Blanc is just as noble, and honestly, it deserves a lot more attention than it gets. The range of styles, the variety of terroirs, the sheer versatility make it one of the most exciting white grapes out there, especially when grown in the Loire.

A Tale of Three Thanksgivings... And Their Wines

I love to cook so I was also an early adopter of Friendsgiving. For many years, I have been hosting them at my home (or at friends’ homes) where I prepare a meal. I usually plan a themed meal around my Friendsgiving since I already get to do all the traditional stuff on regular Thanksgiving. I always deconstruct turkeys for my Friendsgivings and make a variety of dishes using various turkey parts. I always make a turkey Bolognese and have made other things like tom kha gai turkey soup or a turkey paitan ramen (that’s like Tonkotsu ramen but with a creamy turkey broth). I even served turkey stuffing gyoza as an appetizer for the ramen dinner! Last year, I did a brunch themed Friendsgiving which I now call Brunch-giving—maybe it will stick.

New Stars and Epic Favorites from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa

Today’s Wine News takes us on a tour of the most exciting producers in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa. Led by Buyer Thomas Smith, you’ll discover new takes on classic varieties and the winemakers who are making the magic happen.

The Loire's Finest Values, Hidden Gems, and World-Class Buys

Today’s Loire Valley Newsletter starts with a few personal favorites of our intrepid Loire Buyer Keith Mabry, followed by an introduction to one of the great unsung heroes of the Chenin Blanc varietal—Domaine de la Taille Aux Loups. Next we dig a little deeper into the Loire's most famous region, Sancerre, by highlighting three under-the-radar stunners that provide everything Sancerre fans love about the appellation. The Loire's red wines get their due praise as Keith takes us through Cabernet Franc stunners that offer world-class appeal for simply unbeatable prices, and we round out the journey with thrilling examples of what the Loire arguably does better than anywhere else—provide exceptional wine drinking experiences for a mere song.

A Visit From Françoise Antech

If 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.

New Loire Direct Import: Patrice Colin & His Ethereal Pineau D'Aunis

Recently, our Buyer Keith Mabry introduced us to the wines of Patrice Colin, a new Direct Import producer who specializes in Pineau d’Aunis, and the grape came into laser focus for me. Seriously, they’re intensely delicious and interesting wines. If you’re craving a rich Cab, they might not be your thing, but if you’d like to try something a little off the beaten path that still delivers immense drinking pleasure at the table, pick up a few of these bottles—they’re a great value, all around the $15 mark.

A String of Successful Vintages in Rhône, Loire, and Southwestern France

Hot 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.

From Soup to Nuts: A Loire Valley/Thanksgiving Smorgasbord

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The foodie/wine-lover smorgasbord that is Thanksgiving, where the stuff we love is front and center: cooking, eating, drinking, and merriment with those dear to you. But let’s face it, it’s a lot of work. So, we’re here to help. French-Regional-&-Miscellany Buyer Extraordinaire, Keith Mabry, and I put together a Thanksgiving game plan, complete with accompanying wines, that is sure to knock your turkey day out of the park.

Kate SotoNovember 17, 2018loire valley, thanksgiving, thanksgiving wines, chenin blanc, vouvray, bourgueil

Kloof Street Wines Shine from the Up-and-Coming Swartland Region

Kate SotoJune 2, 2018south african wine, south africa, swartland, kloof street wines, chenin blanc, syrah, shiraz, mullineux wines, andrea mullineux, chris mullineux

K&L Wine Merchants

www.klwines.com