WELCOME TO WINESPEED
A. A biodynamic term for the cosmic energy or “aura” surrounding a small vineyard
B. An association that awards a certification confirming that a wine was made from grapes grown on volcanic soils
C. The name of a group of scientists who specialize in the study of grape origins
D. The name of a cloud-seeding technique that can prevent rain from freezing into hail which is very detrimental to grapevines
Finding a delicious bold Cabernet that costs less than $5 a glass is a rare occurrence. But here it is. The following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.
93 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, Food & Friends with Nicole Marchesi, Director of Winemaking at Far Niente and Dolce
I sat down with Nicole Marchesi, the Director of Winemaking at Far Niente, for a fantastic Wine, Food, and Friends conversation. We dove deep into the perspective, the stories, and the passion required to make great wine. And, of course, we talked a lot about Chardonnay, for which Far Niente is so well-known. Join us at the link in our bio.
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.
The Great White Wine Emojency
If you’ve ever used the red wine or sparkling wine emojis (and so many of us have), it seems odd that there’s isn’t a white wine emoji. Especially odd now, at least in the US, where white wine consumption has surpassed red.
New Zealand (home to lots of zesty white wines) isn’t sitting this one out. As recently reported in the ARENI newsletter (Areni is a wine think-tank), the New Zealand Winegrowers association has decided to tackle the injustice. In April 2026 they officially launched The Great White Wine Toast, a global public campaign demanding the creation of a white wine emoji.
Alas, birthing a new emoji is easier said than done. The following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.
By the Numbers
8k
Number of years between today’s common sourdough and the oldest traces of bread wheat identified, The following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.
52
Percentage of young adults in Great Britain who say that “going to the pub” enhances their well-being, The following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.
18k
Number of acres of Sauvignon Blanc in California, according to The Wine Institute. The varietal, once considered fringe, is 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