by Karen MacNeil | Jun 5, 2025 | Wine and Language, Wine in Society and Culture
Summary: In this thoughtful reflection, wine expert and book author Karen MacNeil reveals why describing wine flavor can be so challenging—even for those with discerning palates. Unlike food, which has an agreed-upon vocabulary tied to taste and experience, wine lacks...
by Karen MacNeil | May 22, 2025 | Grapes and Wines, Wine Science
Right now, there’s a lot of sex in the vineyards. (Strictly between the vines of course). And it may sound odd to say, but it’s also a great time to visit wine country. Cultivated vines are hermaphroditic, meaning that the reproductive organs of both sexes are...
by Karen MacNeil | May 19, 2025 | Wine In History, Wine Recommendations
One of the most popular executive wine tastings I conduct is a blind tasting of top Bordeaux wines and top Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons. The idea is not to choose a “winner,” since all of the wines are great (and expensive). Rather, it’s to experience what I’ll...
by Karen MacNeil | Apr 27, 2025 | Book Author and Speaker, Wine in Society and Culture
In every new edition of my book The Wine Bible, the chapter on Champagne has gotten larger. (Not all chapters have). But there’s a lot to say (and love) about the world’s ultimate wine. Especially now. During my most recent research trip to the Champagne region, I...
by Karen MacNeil | Apr 2, 2025 | Wine Advice, Wine Recommendations
As a speaker, I have given hundreds of talks and wine tastings for corporate executives all over the world. And whether those executives are in law, technology, banking, private equity, insurance, pharmaceuticals, advertising, or any other field, a great wine session...
by Karen MacNeil | Dec 21, 2024 | Grapes and Wines, Wine In History, Wine Recommendations, Winemaking and Viticulture
Most of the wine we drink is aged about as long as it takes to get it home from the store. That’s not necessarily bad. Lots of wine is simple, every night wine meant to be drunk soon after it’s been released. But really good wines—many of them anyway—benefit from...