K&L In-Store Tastings: Brunello Friday / Champagne Saturday

Greetings K&L friends!

The rosters are set for this weekend's in-store tastings, so please mark your calendars for an evening (or three) of fascinating and fun exploration with your fellow wine lovers and our K&L staff. Read below for more details on this week's themes.

In addition to our weekend tastings, we regularly host or participate in other Special Tasting Events and Dinners. Also, don't forget, you can always explore in more depth on K&L's On the Trail blog with buyer/winemaker interviews, special reports, and more—straight from the vineyards!

Brunello, originally thought to be a variety unique to the Montalcino region of Tuscany but later identified as Sangiovese, makes some of the most age-worthy and collectible wines in all of Italy. Pair these top producers from the region with the phenomenal 2019 vintage, and this is a tasting not to miss.

Explore the art of the bubble and learn the Champagne process through the wines of both small grower-producer and famous house alike. From vineyard to vin clair and prise de mousse to perfection, these are some of Champagne Buyer Gary Westby’s top picks so far this year.

Join us at K&L San Francisco for a unique tasting event celebrating Bordeaux's esteemed First Growths and their respective projects in South America. In acknowledgment of the incredible terroir of Argentina and Chile, several renowned Bordeaux châteaux have established properties, showcasing their own evolution, adventurous spirit, and affirming the high-quality of South American terroir. While we always cherish the opportunity to savor Bordeaux's coveted First Growths, this distinct tasting will underscore the similarities and differences between top Bordeaux and their alternatives across the world. This event is suited for those beginning their understanding of Bordeaux varieties, as well as wine professionals seeking a more in depth understanding of Chilean and Argentinian terroir.

The one-hour, seated tasting will feature a brief presentation and discussion, as we explore the following side-by-side pairings:

• 2019 Viña Almaviva "Almaviva" Bordeaux Blend
  2019 Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac (1.5L)
• 2020 Cheval des Andes Bordeaux Blend Mendoza
  2020 Cheval Blanc, St-Émilion
• 2021 Bodegas Caro "Caro" Mendoza
  2020 Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac

Attendance is limited, so be sure to reserve your seat in advance.