Bordeaux-Fest

You've been to Whiskyfest, but have you been to Bordeaux-fest? No? Then you need to come. In truth, it's not actually called Bordeaux-fest. It's something much classier and un-American in name: Les Unions des Grands Crus de Bordeaux, and it's coming to San Francisco this January 27th. And guess who's hosting? K&L is! 

If you've ever wanted to get your feet wet and learn more about Bordeaux, this is the ultimate experience.

Even when you go to Bordeaux for en premeur tasting like I did this past Spring, it's impossible to visit each property individually. For the sake of time and efficiency, you end up in these huge halls that are broken down by region where each château has its own table and representative nearby. The UGC pretty much takes that same experience and brings it across the Atlantic. You get access to more than eighty different producers and a large variety of wine styles including some of the sweet Sauternes as well. It's a veritable who's who of the region, including Léoville-Barton, Branaire-Ducru, Gruaud-Larose, Kirwan, Pichon-Baron, Lynch-Bages, and basically every other non-first growth player that you can think of. They're all there in one room, pouring their top wines, and you can actually talk to the people who work at each property to get the information you need while you taste. Unlike Whiskyfest, it's not a madhouse. You can work at your own pace, take as long as you like with each producer, and leisurely learn about the wines in the way you want to. I've gone for the last four years and I've always walked away with a better understanding and appreciation of the category (as well as a few new friends). 

This year's UGC tasting is on Friday, January 27th at the Westin St. Francis on Powell Street and starts at 6 PM. Tickets are available here for a mere $65. I'll be there with a fancy suit on. Hopefully I'll see some of you there, too!

-David Driscoll