Some 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.
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Clos de l’Anhel is one of the first producers I recruited after taking over the French Regional progam at K&L. Vigneron Sophie Guiraudon established Clos de l’Anhel in the appellation of Corbières just over two decades ago. She proudly states that she is a first-generation winemaker. Beginning her career at another winery in the region, she felt like she could do the same thing they were doing but better and organic—so why not strike out on her own?
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If 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.
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There are several great things about the sparkling wines of Spain. My very favorite is the ratio of quality to value. You can get some excellent wines of superior quality for under $40. I had the opportunity, care of K&L Spanish & Portuguese Wine Buyer Kirk Walker, to taste quite a few of these on Valentine’s Day eve. I am familiar with some of them while others are brand new to me.
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In the world of Spanish wine there is a quiet revolution occurring, not unlike what is happening in some parts of France and the U.S. Winemakers young and old are challenging their regional traditions and making lighter, fresher wines than their parents or grandparents did.
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If there were one winery in all of Rioja that I would point to that would express what is happening in Rioja right now—old school meets new school; age-driven meets terroir-driven style—that would be Bodega Miguel Merino.
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The wines of Jean-Louis Chave hold a special place atop the Rhône wine hierarchy. With an unbroken winegrowing lineage that dates back to 1481, not many other producers in the region (or even the world) can claim the heritage, the history, or the track record of superb craftsmanship that the Chave brand has evoked for centuries.
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Terah Bajjalieh of Terah Wine Co. is a queer woman of color who owns and operates one of the coolest natural wine companies in California right now. She has had a long and distinguished career, working 13 consecutive harvests around the world to hone her craft. She first started making wine in a friend’s garage, before starting Terah Wine Co. She only works with organic and biodynamic vineyards and focuses on a minimal intervention winemaking style.
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Few wineries have a history as long and as storied as Domaine Weinbach, which can trace its origins back to vines that were planted on the property in the 9th century. It was eventually established as a winery in 1612 by the Capuchin friars. Named after a stream that runs through the property, it was purchased in 1898 by the Faller Family, which still runs it today. Since 2016 Catherine Faller has run the estate with the help of her two sons Eddy and Theo, employing both organic and biodynamic farming practices. The wines of Domaine Weinbach are wonderful representations of Alsace with a focus on purity, balance, and elegance. Weinbach consistently ranks among the top two to three producers in all of Alsace.
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One 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.
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Vigneron Sophie Guiraudon established Clos de l’Anhel in the appellation of Corbières just over two decades ago. She proudly states that she is a first-generation winemaker. Beginning her career at another winery in the region, she felt like she could do the same thing they were doing but better and organic—so why not strike out on her own?
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Southern Hemisphere wines are more exciting than ever, and K&L Buyer Thomas Smith has assembled a tour de force of the best on our shelves. Whether you’re looking for exquisite cool-climate Pinot, skin-contact summer sippers, or the most exciting producer to come out of South Africa, Thomas has got you covered.
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