Champagne Tasting at K&L Wine Merchants

So, a couple of weeks ago, I went to a champagne tasting at K&L Wine Merchants! Can you say yummy? K&L, which was founded over 30 years ago,is a wonderful little place.

Every Thursday, the Hollywood location has wine tasting for $10. Because I'm a LA Foodie, it was discounted to $5. Yay me! I thought what better way to unwind from my busy week. Another plus, I might learn a little something other than the fact that I like champagne.

The tasting consisted of six champagnes ranging in price from $30-$80. Also, they were all Bruts. There was the Gosset Brut Excellence ($29.99). It was a a blend of of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. It was nice. I was a little put off because they were not served in flutes and I missed the bubbles. I find the bubbles very exciting. It's really the best part of drinking champagne. The next was the Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve. It was mostly Chardonnay, but still a blend of the three grapes. I found it very aggressive. It also didn't have the usual finish that I come to expect from champagne. It was smooth and you could really taste the fruit. The third wine was the Delamotte Brut Champagne. It was 50% Chardonnay. I really enjoyed this one. It was a little lighter and sweeter. Some of the other tasters didn't like it as much, but who cares. Again, it's all about what YOU like. The fourth wine was the Jacquesson Brut Cuvee#732. This particular producer numbers their wine. This particular wine was from 2004. It contained more Pinto Meunier and very different in taste. I really did not enjoy it. Next was the Laurent-Perrier "Grand Siecle" Champagne. It was a vintage blend of 1995,1996, and 1998 wines. It was 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir. It was not too acidic and VERY good. Mmmm. Finally, we received a special tasting of the Delamotte vintage 1999. It was ok. It just didn't do it for me.

One of the other tasters commented on how unimpressed she was with the choices. Frankly, I thought they were all fine. Of course, I enjoyed some more than others...but still, it was all good. She went on to comment that she really likes Perrier Jouet. Well, I mean come on. That champagne is a little more expensive and I have to agree, delicious. NO contest.

I actually learned a few interesting tidbits about champagne. For instance, I did not know that champagne cannot be released for at least 18 months. Fascinating. Also, I never really thought about the composition of it all. All of the champagnes I tried were blends. I found that most champagnes, with the exception of blancs are blends. Also, I learned about the difference between vintage and non-vintage champagne. Every year, champagne producers must set aside at least 20 percent of the wine for use in a future non-vintage wine. Also, producers get to decide which years will be vintage. Vintage wines are composed of grapes collected all in the same year. See, I didn't know the difference. Now, I do. Pretty neat.

K&L is considered one of the best wine stores in CA, and an excellent source for the online shopper. They have three locations:in San Francisco, Redwood City and Hollywood, California. I had to rush off to a meeting on the other side of town, but I can see why they are so highly regarded. For a moment, I got a little lost in the vast array of wines from all around the World. I had to tear myself away. I found their prices really reasonable (actually a little less than BevMo---my go to place for alcohol. Also, the staff was really knowledgeable and helpful. Always, a plus. I will definitely make my way back over there.


K&L Hollywood
1400 Vine Street
Hollywood, CA, 90028
(323) 464-WINE (9463)
(323) 836-0853 (Fax)
Store Hours: M-F: 10-8pm, Sat: 10-8pm, Sun: 11-6pm