Limoux's Domaine Bégude Blazes Their Own (Organic) Trail

Well over a decade ago, we were introduced to an outlier producer in Limoux called Domaine Bégude whose focus was on pure varietal still wines, all farmed organically. Vigneron James Kinglake was and his wife Catherine established this small estate in 2003 when they fled London’s financial industry and decided to take on the “low-key” world of winemaking in the south of France. Of course, the dream never starts easily, but, now on their 20th vintage, they have grown the winery, received organic certification, raised a daughter, and created one of our favorite brands from the south of France!

New Arrivals from the Languedoc-Roussillon

French Regional Buyer Keith Mabry joined me on Instagram Live to discuss new releases from some of his favorite Direct Import producers from the Languedoc-Roussillon. The wines were singing, and, as always, represent exceptional value.

Sippin’ with Staff: The Keith Takeover/Languedoc Edition

Our French Regional Buyer Keith Mabry makes the case that southern France's Languedoc-Roussillon region is THE place to currently find the best deals for everyday drinking. He's chosen six of his favorites and provides some geology, some geography, some history, and a whole lotta fun tasting notes.

New Vintage of Fan-Favorite Minervois Now in Stock

The 2019 vintage from one of our favorite Minervois producers has just hit the shelves. If you’re looking from sunshine from the South of France, look no further than the Chapelle en Rosé and the Petite Saint Jacques. Owner Graham Nutter took some time to show us the historic chapel on his property and his organic vineyards.

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.

Les Vinifilles: Girl Power in the Languedoc-Roussillon

In the last few decades, there has been an influx of new vintners to the Languedoc-Roussillon, bringing with them both quality and excitement. Nowhere is this energy more apparent than with Les Vinifilles (translated as “wine girls”), a trade organization of women formed to support one another and celebrate the “culture of wine.” They describe themselves as “beautiful, rebellious, active, food-loving, likeable, sociable and lively.” This infectious excitement and enthusiasm, for wine and for each other, is how our Buyer Keith Mabry progressively discovered the wines and brought them into K&L.

A Visit with Séverine Bourrier of Château de l'Ou

We recently had the rare treat of having Château de l’Ou’s winemaker/owner Séverine Bourrier here in LA for a whole week. She poured for the staff last Wednesday and for customers on Saturday, then joined us for a staff get together. It was a great chance to really get to know her and her wines, which include some of K&L’s all-time best sellers. It was likewise a chance for our customers to try her wines and get the full story behind each one: vintage, winemaking, you name it. Séverine was so open and friendly that it was easy to spend time with her and learn from her.

Roussillon Meets Hollywood: A Visit from Jean Marc Lafage

There is so much to understand about a glass of wine but learning about the person and story behind it appeals to me as much as what’s in the glass. And winemakers are a passionate, interesting bunch. Their stories are usually full of twists and turns, and, at the very least, a whole lot of heart. Jean Marc Lafage certainly is a winemaker full of heart, though he’s smart and thorough and works as precisely as possible in both the vineyard and the cellar. This week, I had the pleasure of getting to know him.

K&L Wine Merchants

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