February is all about Champagne at its most thrilling. From the laser-focused precision of Damien Hugot to the beautifully mature old-vine depth of Fallet-Dart, this month’s selections celebrate grower brilliance and grand marque mastery alike. We spotlight collectible bottlings of Cristal, revel in Pinot Noir–driven power, and savor the final allocations of Krug Grande Cuvée 172ème Édition. Plus, we honor the enduring elegance and innovation of Laurent-Perrier. Whether you’re cellaring icons or discovering new grower stars, there’s never been a better time to explore Champagne’s latest treasures.

Wine Newsletter, ChampagneGary WestbyFebruary 16, 2026K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, gary westby, krug, champagne, damien hugot, fallet dart, grower champagne, grande marque champagne, billecart salmon, cristal, louis roederer, krug grande cuvee 172, laurent-perrier

Savor the Last of Krug's "Grande Cuvée" 172ème Édition

While some may disagree with me, I think that the Grande Cuvée isn’t just the equal of the other offerings at Krug; I think it is their best wine. The thing that I like the best about it is the combination of youthful exuberance and profound, aged depth that it shows at the same time. This is something that just gets better with age. Every time that I have done an event with Krug, it has been the oldest Grande Cuvée that has been my favorite wine, and I have been lucky enough to do a lot as a Krug Ambassade.

France, Wine Newsletter, ChampagneGary WestbyFebruary 4, 2026K&L Wine Merchantsklwinse, klwines, krug, krug grande cuvee 172, grande cuvee, krug grande cuvee 173, gary westby, krug and caviar, krug and white truffle pasta, champagne, krug ambassade, krug champagne

Champagne for the New Year

No occasion is more synonymous with Champagne than New Year’s Eve, and I have some great recommendations to ring in 2026. I have often said, there are 364 great nights to go out, and one great night to stay in and drink Champagne—the 31st of December is a great night to stay off the streets!

France, Wine Newsletter, ChampagneGary WestbyDecember 26, 2025klwines, krug, nye, new years eve champagne, new years champagne, champagne, gary westby, krug champagne, ad coutelas, laurent perrier, billecart salmon

Our Favorite In-Stock Champagne Collectibles

This summer, K&L’s Champagne Buyer Gary Westby was once again honored with an invitation to join the Krug Ambassade Voyage—one of the most exclusive programs in the wine world. To celebrate this extraordinary experience, we’re spotlighting a selection of rare Krug bottlings straight from the house, alongside collectible icons from Champagne’s most storied names.

France, Wine Newsletter, ChampagneGary WestbyJuly 28, 2025K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, gary westby, champagne, champagne newsletter, krug, champagne collectibles, billecart salmon, rose champagne, krug ambassade voyage

The Krug Ambassade Voyage

It was a great honor to be invited by Krug this July on their Ambassade Voyage. Spending time with other Krug lovers from the industry—mostly Michelin Star chefs—and learning about Krug was a highlight of my career. It is the second time I have had the opportunity to travel with this group, but the first time that the destination was Krug’s own facilities in Champagne. My mind is still blown—it was the experience of a lifetime.

Krug x Carrot: A Great Pairing!

Cinnamon and I wait impatiently every year for Krug to drop their ingredient—a program that has now been going on for 10 years now. While this is meant as a challenge to the Michelin-starred chefs and their sommeliers in the world of haute cuisine, we love to take it up as home cooks and inject a little simplicity into the mix. When we found out that this year it was carrot, we were fired up to try again. You can check out some of the past pairings that we have done here.

France, ChampagneGary WestbyJune 30, 2025K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, krug, krug x carrots, gary westby, cindy westby, carrot tart and champagne, food and champagne pairing, food and wine pairing, champagne, krug grande cuve 172

Valentine’s Day Is for Wine Lovers

The 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.

Wine NewsletterKate SotoFebruary 10, 2025klwines, wine recommendations, wine reviews, premier cru burgundy, valentines day buying guide, valentine's day, valentines day wine, gary westby, orazio campoli, keith mabry, alex pross, jean michel giboulot, xavier vignon, meunier, champagne, krug, franciacorta

Misunderstood Meunier

Even though the grape variety Meunier covers about one-third of the Champagne region, it is still little understood by most wine lovers. Follow Gary Westby on the trail through Champagne to explore the wonder of this dynamic and not-to-be-missed varietal that great Champagne could not do without.

France, ChampagneGary WestbyFebruary 6, 2025K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, meunier, champagne, gary westby, krug, champagne review, derot delugny, alexandre le brun, thierry thibault, laherte freres, billecart salmon, vintage champagne, champagne tasting

For the Holidays, Champagne Is Always a Hit

The holidays are upon us, and it is time to pop the Champagne! We have a fabulous selection for you this year that covers the bases from top values from our direct import grower-producers to very special bottles from the Grande Marque house

Wine Newsletter, ChampagneGary WestbyDecember 4, 2024K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, alexandre le brun, krug, billecart-salmon, ad coutelas, gary westby, champagne, holiday wine buying guide, holiday champagne

The Krug Challenge 2024: Krug x Flowers

Every year, Krug announces an ingredient of the year to inspire the chefs of the world to create dishes to go with their spectacular champagne. Not wanting to be left out, Cinnamon and I make something for the home kitchen as well—it is an excellent excuse to drink Krug on a weeknight. This year, the ingredient is flowers, and luckily for us, nasturtiums grow wild in the Willows neighborhood of Menlo Park where we live. It only took a short walk to forage a little bag of these edible flowers—in June they practically pour out onto the sidewalk!

France, ChampagneGary WestbyJune 20, 2024K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, champagne, krug, gary westby, krug x flowers, food and wine, food and wine pairing, Krug "Grande Cuvee" 171eme Edition Brut Champagne

Go for the Oscar Gold with Champagne!

It’s nearly time for the Academy Awards! If you’ve managed to see any of the movies, even those that clock in at under 3½ hours long (thanks for pointing that out, Hugh Grant!), you’ll have seen some very deserving technicians and artists. My favorite thing to have while watching the show is either fried chicken with French fries and a salad (which I use to fool myself into thinking that I’m eating semi-healthily), or Kung Pao chicken, rice, and steamed asparagus with sliced almonds and a clear sauce… No matter what foodstuffs you are planning, there is only one beverage that matches perfectly with this event...Champagne!

France, ChampagneScott BeckerleyMarch 8, 2024K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, champagne, champagne blog, oscars champagne, krug, franck bonville, tattinger, laurent-perrier, pierre paillard, louis roederer, scott beckerley

Benchmark Producers to Start Your Wine Collection

Whether you are collecting for investment or for decades of enjoyment ahead, there are certain tried-and-true benchmark producers that are always the wisest of bets for your wine cellar. I’m pleased to share a few thoughts on some of my personal favorite producers, all of whom I hold in the highest regard. These are among the finest in their regions and provide exceptional value at their level. If you are looking to start a wine collection, you absolutely cannot go wrong if you start with wines from any of these estates.

California Wine, France, rhone, Wine Newsletter, ChampagneJohn ChristensenFebruary 27, 2024K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, john christensen, wine collecting, collectibles buying guide, wine buying guide, mayacamas, krug, donhoff, domaine jamet

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