All good wine is the result of extraordinary transformation, but there is arguably no vinous alchemy more singular and spellbinding than the appassimento winemaking of azienda Giuseppe Quintarelli, just east of Lake Garda.
     Translated to “drying,” appassimento refers to the ancient process whereby grapes are harvested and—rather than immediately pressed and fermented—left to dry on wooden racks so that some water evaporates and the grapes’ sugars concentrate. Quintarelli, for instance, dries their Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot for the monumental Alzero bottling from harvest until mid-December. For the Amarone, they let their Veronese blend of primarily Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella air out until January. In both cases, after the grapes are sufficiently dried, they are finally pressed, then slowly macerate and ferment in the family’s cold cellar.
     The Valpolicella features the same blend of grapes as the Amarone, but they are—unlike the other two wines—pressed immediately after harvest. Still, in February, the “Valpo” does take a fairly unusual step, when it starts a second fermentation with the pomace of the Amarone in a process called ripasso.
     All three of these wines age in large barrels for seven years, a relative eternity during which profound depth, structure, and a mesmerizing range of flavors form. When they are finally bottled, the results are dry reds that retain freshness and poise, while delivering epic complexity and power.
     While the ancient drying techniques practiced at Quintarelli (and throughout Verona) pose risks—too much power and richness—the Quintarellis have utterly mastered them, bending the risks into the most transcendent rewards, often emotional experiences in and of themselves, and some of the greatest red wines in the world.

In Adventures on the Wine Route, Kermit recalls being so excited about a new domaine that the only thing he could think about on the flight home was turning the plane around so he could continue discovering. We still live for that sense of discovery here at KLWM, and our club members do, too. Here’s what they have to say about their wine club experience:

“Always dependable. Even when it’s a wine that is new to me and a bit unusual, it’s always interesting and authentic!”

“What we most enjoy is discovering something new brought to us by people we trust, whose opinion we value, at a price point that works for us at this stage of our lives.”

“Consistently solid wines that help me better explore the world of wine and try things I might not otherwise select.”

“Always super interesting and different. I love trying new wines this way.”

“I am constantly impressed with how good the wines are. There are so few that I have not marked as ‘buy again.’”

This year marks the 15th anniversary of our wine clubs.
We hope you’ll join us as the adventure continues.

Join now through December 31 and take 50% off your first club package.
Use promo code NEWMEMBER2025 at sign-up.

Apart from the outstanding wines, arguably the greatest value our Adventures and Rouge clubs offer is the wonderful recipe included in each month’s bulletin. Tapping our network of friends who cook in restaurants like Chez Panisse or who publish cookbooks about French food, we are privileged to deliver pairings that range from appetizers to elaborate feasts.
     For this sampler, we thought we’d put together a booklet of twelve recipes that you might prepare for a holiday party or potluck, along with twelve wines you might find in one of our clubs in any given month. Take, for example, the fried stuffed olives dreamed up by Chris Lee, a former head chef of Chez Panisse, which he paired with a zesty Verdicchio. Or pair his chive and goat cheese soufflé with a cool-climate Chardonnay like Lavantureux’s Bourgogne Tonnerre. I personally can’t wait to make Georgeanne Brennan’s lobster salad on brioche toasts, pairing these with Château d’Epiré’s generous Savennières.
     Whether you need some recipe inspiration for the weeks ahead, or just a mixed case of festive wines, these selections will have all of your hors d’œuvres, appetizers, and canapés—and their complementary wines—covered. Booklet with twelve recipes included!

On a cold night, when dark has set in early, it’s comforting to have a roast in the oven, warming your kitchen and wafting mouthwatering aromas. After hours of low and slow cooking, the seasoned exterior will be crispy yet juicy, caramelized by the heat. You won’t be able to resist pulling off a bit to take in that first burst of flavor—along with a sip of the wine you’ve chosen to pair it with.
—Georgeanne Brennan, January 2025 Club Chevalier

When we asked friend and James Beard Award–winning food writer Georgeanne Brennan to lend us her expertise in providing roastable pairing recommendations for Club Chevalier, she did not disappoint! Inspired by her delectable suggestions, we’ve assembled a sampler perfect for spending time in the kitchen this season. Georgeanne offers two adventurous Italian preparations: a Piemontese vitello tonnato to complement Langhe Nebbiolo and a bone-warming preparation of the Italian winter squash Chioggia to accompany Chianti Classico. A bottle of Perrusset’s sunny, old-vine Mâcon-Villages is hard to beat beside herb-crusted roast chicken; or, with a game bird like quail, open Bouvier’s delicate red Burgundy. For your next pork roast, add some apples and onions and enjoy with an Alsatian Pinot Gris, and Brunier’s Châteauneuf-du-Pape will sing alongside tender, sizzling, garlicky leg of lamb atop a bed of potatoes.

Interested in joining a club?
Sign up before the end of the year and receive 50% off your first package.

Take 20% off all Champagne & Sparkling Wine, in store and online, now through the end of the year using code SPARKLING2025 at checkout.

The gift of wine is hard to beat, but you can also consider our assortment of groceries, books, hats, shirts, and aprons for the wine lover in your life. Here’s a little inspiration!

At Poupon’s Table • A Novel by Kermit Lynch . . . $20
A review from the Athenaeum, the famous wine bookstore in Beaune, France: “Between gentle satire and praise of the French art of living, Kermit Lynch skillfully depicts the flavors of the land, the Provençal landscapes, and the human connections that are woven around a table.”

Adventures on the Wine Route, 25th Anniversary Edition . . . $20
Kermit’s first book chronicles his revelatory early years on the wine route. This edition includes a new epilogue, bringing the narrative up to date, and a list of Kermit’s twenty-five most memorable wines.

Headware, T-Shirts, and Polos . . . $30+
Shirts in many sizes and colors, Dad hats, Merino wool beanies, and corduroy flatbill caps—perfect for the Kermit Lynch devotee!

50th Anniversary Tote . . . $35
Our tote bag has room for wine bottles, baguettes, fresh produce, or whatever else you may grab at the market.

Aprons . . . $40
Our soft yet durable aprons are 100% cotton twill, black or plain canvas, and have plenty of pockets to elevate the home chef’s cooking game.

French & Italian Grocery Items . . . $12–$63
Olive oils from Provence, Sicily, southern Rhône, and Corsica; decadent olives from Liguria; Domaine La Tour Vieille’s vinegar; and fancy French mustards.

Gift Cards . . . $Any amount!
Purchase physical cards from our Berkeley shop, or send an e-gift card—the ultimate option for last-minute gifting!

Shop the Holiday Gift Shop collection or visit our Berkeley shop for all our gift items as well as samplers, special bottles, and our annual Dessert Wine Sale!