K&L Tastings: Champagne Grand Tasting, Iconic Riesling

The rosters are set for this week's in-store tastings, so please mark your calendars for an evening (or two) of fascinating and fun exploration with your fellow wine lovers and our K&L staff. In addition, we regularly host or participate in other special tastings and dinners. Read below for more details on our upcoming schedule of wine and spirits events.

Join us for an evening of luxury as we uncork some of the world’s finest Champagnes. This tasting will feature a curated selection of exceptional Champagnes from storied houses, as well as some of our boutique, direct-import producers. Each bottle has been carefully selected by our very own Champagne buyer, Gary Westby. Whether you’re a seasoned Champagne lover or just beginning to explore the nuances of this iconic region, this tasting offers a rare opportunity to savor some of the best bottles available. Don’t miss this chance to toast the season in style and find the perfect Champagne to accompany your holiday gatherings. Raise a glass with us and indulge in a sparkling evening that celebrates the finest of French winemaking!

Come in and see why sommeliers, wine nerds, and enthusiasts around the world just can’t get enough Riesling, in this electric sampling of iconic German and Austrian producers. Riesling is a highly aromatic, noble white grape variety known for producing some of the world’s most elegant and age-worthy wines. Originating in Germany, Riesling thrives in cool-climate regions where it develops its signature balance of bright acidity and layered complexity. This variety often gets a bad rap when you hear someone say, “But I don’t like Riesling, it’s too sweet!” This variety is incredibly versatile, yielding wines in a range of styles, many of them bone-dry with a ripe, fruit-forward profile.

From Germany’s steep, slate-filled slopes along the Mosel and Nahe, to Austria’s mineral-rich vineyards in the Wachau and Kamptal, each Riesling offers a unique expression of place. The lineup will showcase flavors ranging from vibrant citrus and green apple to exotic stone fruits and honeydew. These flavors are accompanied by hints of florals like jasmine, herbal nuances, and notes of honey, ginger, and saffron. Riesling’s high acidity and expressive flavors make it exceptionally food-friendly, pairing well with dishes from spicy cuisines to rich poultry (Thanksgiving, anyone!?). At this tasting, we’ll have samples of styles for every palate and every occasion.

Join K&L and Château Angélus brand ambassador, Victoire Touton, for a remarkable lunch at the illustrious Michelin-starred Selby’s Restaurant in Redwood City. Guests will enjoy a three-course lunch paired with 5 wines from the Angélus library.

Château Angélus, one of the oldest and most prestigious estates in Saint-Émilion, has been a symbol of excellence for centuries. The de Boüard family, with roots in Bordeaux dating back to 1544, laid the foundation for this extraordinary vineyard when they acquired Clos L’Angélus in 1922. Under the visionary leadership of Hubert de Boüard, since the 1980s, Château Angélus has produced some of the most sought-after and collectible wines of our time. Known for innovative techniques and a commitment to quality, Château Angélus has become a benchmark for the wines of Bordeaux.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to experience the exquisite library wines of Château Angélus, paired perfectly with the hand-crafted tasting menu at Selby’s, and to engage with some of the finest expressions of Merlot and Cabernet Franc in the world. Seats are limited, so we recommend booking earlier to secure your desired number of tickets.

This event was a great success last holiday season, so we're bringing it back! Learn the art and nuance of Champagne and caviar production from Naomi Smith of Laurent-Perrier and Deborah Keane of the California Caviar Company while you taste through a flight of Laurent-Perrier Champagnes paired with four types of caviar.

This exclusive experience will be limited to a very small group of guests so don't miss the opportunity to indulge in the perfect pairing with us!

This tasting will feature the following:

• Laurent-Perrier Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature
• 2012 Laurent-Perrier Brut paired with Royal White Sturgeon
• Laurent-Perrier "Cuvée Rosé" Brut Rosé paired with Paddlefish
• Laurent-Perrier "Grand Siècle" Iteration #26 paired with Kaluga Hybrid
• Laurent-Perrier "Grand Siècle" Iteration #23 paired with Royal Osetra

Join K&L and Isabelle Clendenen, daughter of the late Santa Barbara County pioneer Jim Clendenden, for an incredible dinner at celebrated French bistro Petit Trois, featuring library wines from Au Bon Climat. Isabelle’s father, Jim, established Au Bon Climat in 1982. Since the beginning, ABC has been devoted to making timeless, Burgundian-influenced Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in Santa Barbara County. The convergence of cool, brisk Pacific air, marine-based soils, and east-west running valleys of the area provided an ideal place for growing exceptional grapes. Hence the name, “Au Bon Climat,” the French idiom for “good place”.

Originally from Burgundy, Chef Ludo Lefebvre is one of the most influential chefs in Los Angeles, and has helped to revolutionize the city’s dining culture. At Petit Trois, a 2015 James Beard finalist for Best New Restaurant, he brings his classical training & signature flair to French food, sourcing the best ingredients, and making simple classics exciting & new.

The Clendenen family has been generous enough to release library wines from their own collection, providing us the opportunity to collaborate on this rare opportunity to dive into California history.