Back 100 years ago Alto Piemonte was the place for wine in Piedmont and also the Pope’s favorite. Now, as climate change has made ripening less of a challenge in Alto Piemonte, more and more producers have started to expand into that territory, and it has drawn natives like Paolo de Marchi of Chianti’s Isole e Olena back to make wine on their home turf.
Read MoreOne of Tuscany’s least-known appellations is Chianti Rufina, so often pronounced incorrectly and confused with the Chianti producer Ruffino. The DOC is pronounced [ROO-fin-ah] and the producer is pronounced [Roof-fino], which is confusing even more when you know that the Ruffinos sold to Folonari and then bought Folonari. So the Folonaris own Ruffino and the Ruffinos own Folonari…alas, I digress.
Read MoreCall me silly but I always find staying in castles a bit exciting—not that I’m into hanging out over the ramparts, but there’s just something about it. It’s no different at the Castello di Perno except this small castle is poised on a ridge above the village of Monforte d’Alba, one of my favorites in Barolo. It’s an old castle, but the thing that is really interesting is that Giulio Einaudi, one of Italy’s most famous publishers, owned this up until 2012 when Giorgio Gitti purchased it and the estate. They still have Einaudi’s library, and it gave me goosebumps when I visited and walked over the creaking wooden floor and smelled the dusty old manuscripts—it made me feel like I was in a castle!
Read MoreToday's Newsletter takes us to Italy, with a focus of the northern half of the Boot. Top Tuscan reds lead the way, all in stock with glowing critical acclaim and exceptional pricing, and we introduce you to the stunning Alto Adige reds (yes, reds!) of the brilliant Elisabetta Foradori. A carefully curated selection of top buys puts the spotlight on Piedmont's recent vintages, and a trio of staff picks from our Italian team should be on everyone's radar.
Read MoreToday's Newsletter shines the spotlight on arguably the most diverse and complex wine-producing country in the world. By volume and variety, nowhere tops Italy, which can make this ancient wine landscape somewhat difficult to navigate for the average consumer. Thankfully, K&L's Greg St. Clair is here to distill all these incredible styles and traditions into his absolute favorite picks, starting with three under-the-radar, off-the-beaten-path value gems from some lesser-known regions. Our direct-import portfolio continues to grow with a stable of must-have Montalcinos that will appeal to collectors and casual consumers alike. Finally, we survey Italy's white wine scene with hand-selected stunners that run the gamut from everyday, go-to performers to superb boutique gems that can stand with the finest collectible examples anywhere.
Read MoreThough Italy’s red wines often snag all the glory, the country’s white wines can be phenomenal—with dozens of native grapes and styles, there’s truly something for every type of white wine lover. And, yes, there’s much more than Pinot Grigio out there! K&L’s Italian Afficionados, John Downing and Greg St. Clair, explain what makes the Le Battistelle wines of Soave Classico some of our faves.
Read MoreGreg recently returned from a trip to Italy and he brought back some great finds that will be coming into the store over the next few weeks. First to arrive is De’Ricci, a new direct import from Montepulciano. This is an exciting new producer - not only for us, but for the region as a whole. With an interesting past, as well as a promising future, this winery offers some really fun and delicious wines.
Read MoreItaly! The food, the landscape, the films, the fashion—and the wine! There’s much for a wine lover to swoon over in this land that was once named Oenotria by the Greeks for its many vines. Our Italy newsletter showcases some of the best and brightest on our shelves. Join us this Saturday as we celebrate a festa d’Italia in all three stores. Cin Cin!
Read MoreGiven the impressive range and diversity of Italian wine, it is easy to forget that it’s less than three-quarters the size of the state of California. That Italy is able to pack so much into such a small area is a testament to both the country’s natural diversity and a culture that embraces that diversity.
Read MoreEleonora and her sister, Gloria, represent the fifth generation to take the reins at Barale Fratelli, a Piedmontese winery whose history in the Barolo region runs 150+-years deep. The fact that they are not fratelli at all, but sorelle (sisters), is as important as the fact that they are still making exceptional, traditionally styled Barolo. They uniquely represent the new generation in Barolo: proud women holding leadership roles in what was once a very male-dominated context, but with ties to the past and great respect for tradition. If they are indeed the future of Barolo, then there’s a beautiful symbiosis of past and present in store.
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