My name is Kiki Landry, and I’m a wine lover. I firmly believe that wine should be fun, accessible, and unintimidating for everyone. Regardless of whether you’ve just begun to explore the world or wine or if you’re a seasoned wine aficionado, the journey of learning should always be enjoyable. That is what Wine & Whatnot is all about – education, exploration, and enjoyment. Or to put it another way, Wine & Whatnot aims to showcase everything that I love about wine.
So, no matter if you want to find a good cheese pairing or want to nerd out with me on the chemistry of malolactic fermentation, you’re in the right place. You’ll find my approach to wine is one part sophisticated, one part silly, and never snobby. And most importantly: I’m always up for learning something new.
Hi, I’m Kiki. 👋 Nice to Meet You!
I currently live in Houston, Texas, with my husband and our four-legged fur baby Skye, an English Cocker Spaniel. When I’m not sipping on champagne or planning my next dinner party, you can find me horseback riding, traveling, or spending time with friends.
How did I get into wine? I was fortunate enough during my days at university to be introduced to what good wine could be, through a friend’s parents who appreciated wine. This piqued my interest. I quickly learned that while wine was great to enjoy on its own, when paired with food, it elevated the entire meal and experience. The one bottle I vividly remember from those early days was an Argentinian Malbec from Catena Zapata. The jammy fruit flavor was delicious, but it was the peppery notes that really floored me. How could a wine taste almost… spicy?!? I was hooked.
When I moved to Europe a few years later, my love for wine really began to take shape. For eight years, I enjoyed a casual education courtesy of the wine stores where I did my weekly shopping (thank you, Oddbins, Fountainhall Wines, and Vinmonopolet). I attended wine tastings at every opportunity. I hosted wine events in my small apartment for close friends. If a friend brought a new bottle over for dinner, I learned everything I could about it. All the while, I was a short plane ride away from some of the world’s finest wine regions and visited them often. Slowly but surely, over these eight years, I fell in love with the art of and history associated with winemaking. And of course, drinking it too.
The story doesn’t end there. After moving back to the U.S., I was excited to find Houston has impressive access to the global wine market in its local stores. And if I can’t find something locally, I can often find it from online retailers such as Wine.com. This has allowed me to continue my wine journey – albeit with fewer passport stamps. Being back home has also provided the opportunity to more thoroughly explore U.S. wine, which was often more expensive when I was in Europe. From bold Napa Cabs, to crisp Oregon Pinot Noirs, and all the way to pineapple wine on Maui, I’m no snob, and I will try it all.
So, Welcome to Wine & Whatnot, friend. I’m glad you’re here. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or want to share your own wine story with me. I would love to hear from you, and I look forward to learning with you.
Cheers,
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is your favorite wine? I genuinely enjoy exploring and learning about different wines, so it is difficult to chose just one favorite! That being said, there are certain wines that I can always come back to and they never disappoint. For an all-time favorite, I'd choose Perrier Jouet Champagne.
Where did your love for wine originate? How did you get into wine? During college, a friend opened a Malbec at his apartment one evening for a group of us. To this day, I still remember being enchanted by the rich, spicy flavor. Following college, when I lived in Europe, I had the chance to travel often and made a point to visit wineries where I slowly fell in love with the art and history that is winemaking.
Do you hold any wine certifications? I am currently taking my WSET Level 2 course.
Which brand of wine glasses do you use? Our everyday drinking glasses are Schott Zweisel, which we really enjoy for their beautiful design and their durability. We also have a set of Zalto glasses, which I purchased after dining with them at a Michelin Star restaurant in Norway. The Zalto glasses are absolutely amazing but very delicate, and we have broken a few over the years. So, now those only come out for very special occasions.
Where do you shop for wine? When possible, I try to shop in person. There is a small shop just a few minutes from my house where I do most of my shopping. When I purchase online, I use Wine.com for their extensive selection. I have also made purchases via the Vivino App, which looks at your rated wines and suggests them for purchase, as available.