Sparkler Event at K & L Wine Merchants

Saturday, October 24, 2015

8 of us met at Greg's house to await the "limo" to take us to Hollywood to K & L Wine Merchants for their annual Sparkler event. This was my first time attending. Normally I do not drive that distance for a tasting but with a limo involved it made the day so much easier.

We were dropped off about 45 minutes before the opening of the door. We were first in line and it was in the shade of the building so that helped. At 4 o'clock the door opened and we were ushered into the blocked off parking lot. 22 tables were set up for the wine reps and a couple of tables for food. They did have those tall bar tables to set your food (on napkins) and glasses on but no place to sit down.

The food was catered by Repulique and basically was cheeses, pates, bread and a few sauces. All the food was very good. I made sure I ate something in between each taste of bubbly.

I headed to the tables with the high end wines first before they ran out. usually at events like this they bring a limited number of expensive wines and when its gone its gone.

So first stop was table 10 which was Louis Roederer. Cristal was my first choice then 4 others at that table before moving on.  Others tasted doing the day were Lucien Albrecht, Deutz, Franck Bonville, Launois, Tattinger, Bollinger, Dom Perignon, Billecart-Salmon, Pol Roger, J. Laurens, Michael Dervin, Allimant.

I was quite taken with Drappier. Had not heard of this label before. They were pouring 3 wines. I particularly liked the Brut Nature Zero Dosage. Very dry. $99 a bottle. All three of their selections were good.

I did not have a sparking that I did not like. Some were really outstanding and the others were good.

At 6 o'clock the limo came back for us and we headed back to Gregs house for small bites and wine. We were treated to a 2005 Williams Selyem Allen Vineyards, Pinot Noir and a 2005 Thomas George Pinot Noir.

A nice ending a great day