VivaLAfoodies was fortunate to attend last weekend’s K&L Wine Merchant’s “Grand Champagne Event” in Hollywood courtesy of Drink:Eat:Play (Los Angeles). The event was well orchestrated and was geared to the modern epicurean and wine connoisseur.

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Such could be seen in the quality of vendors that were selected, ranging from moderately priced bottles to splurge purchases. Something tasty and satisfying was evidenced by each purveyor at all price points. After tasting about half of the 50 pours on hand I realized that the Champagne segment of the alcoholic beverage market has so many options and varieties to offer customers.



My favorite bottles in the moderate category was Heidsieck & Co Monopole Blue Top Brut and H. Billiot Brut Reserve Champagne and Pierre Peters Brut Grand Cru Cuvee Reserve (a limited edition micro production sparkling wine.) Once I sampled a few others I was ready to endulge in the upscale pour category where my palete recieved quite an eductation. Some of the highlights included 1998 Clicquot “Grand Dame,”1998 Pommery “Louise,” 1998 Nicholas Feuilatte “Palmes d’ Or,” 2000 Perrier Jouet Fleur, 2000 Dom Perignon, Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage and Krug Grand Cuvee. All were unique and distinct in their own rights and all get my vote in the upper tier categories.









Tasty bites were provided by Ivan Kane’s “Cafe Was” on Vine in Hollywood under the direction of Events Director, Lana Gates. Homestyle potato chips and an amazing crustini with Pork rillette and blackberries were two of my favorite delights. I can only fathum how good the entrees are at home base and will soon take the restaurant for a test-drive myself.







In addition to great food and drink the event also had a philanthropic element that consisted of donating a portion of ticket sales to the Hollywood Police Activities League(PAL) in addition to a silent auction with 100% of the proceeds going directly to PAL.

I will come back next-year to this event because it provides a great Champagne education especially since New Years Eve is right around the corner. In the lyrics of hip hop rapper Ron Brownz song “Pop Champagne”, We Need More Bottles, Tell Ma To Hurry Up.

K&L Hollywood Store
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
http://www.klwines.com/