WELCOME TO WINESPEED
A. Merlot
B. Syrah
C. Grenache
D. Cabernet Sauvignon
Texturally speaking, white wines that are both crisp and creamy at the same time are super delicious. The following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.
95 points Karen MacNeil/WineSpeed
Punching Down
A process during red wine fermentation where the grape skins are The following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.
Wine People Close Up with Ancient Peaks’ co-owner Doug Filipponi
This week, my Wine People Close Up video features Ancient Peaks’ co-owner Doug Filipponi. The winery is in the tiny Santa Margarita appellation within Paso Robles, and the vineyards cover what was once an ancient inland seabed 14 million years ago. There are fossilized oyster shells in the soil to prove it. You’ve got to see this.
—Karen
Renowned Author & Dynamic Speaker
With a reputation for captivating audiences and inspiring wine lovers around the world, Karen is available for keynote speeches, seminars, and custom events. Reach out to book Karen for your next event.
Eating, Drinking, and (Especially) Toasting
Among the most elaborate and exciting culinary traditions in the Republic of Georgia is the supra, or “feast.” The following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.
By the Numbers
10
Approximate percentage more that consumers are willing to spend on sustainably produced or sourced goods, despite ongoing cost-of-living pressures, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers’ (PwC) 2024 “Voice of the Consumer” survey. The following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.
2.6
Approximate amount (in millions of tons) of grapes harvested in California in 2025, according to the California Department of Food & Agriculture’s Preliminary Grape Crush Report. It’s the smallest grape crop in since 1996. The following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.
1971
Year the landmark reference work, The World Atlas of Wine, was first published. The new 9th edition has just been released. The following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.
Each week, my team and I will bring you a fascinating and fun dose of wine intel. You’ll find my top wine recommendations (for every one wine we recommend to you, we taste 50 to 100 wines), plus great wine and food quizzes, my takes on happenings in the wine world, and my (hopefully thought-provoking and helpful) blogs. Plus, as always, lots more!
~ Karen MacNeil