WELCOME TO WINESPEED
A. Pinot Noir
B. Cabernet Franc
C. Blaufrankisch
D. Gamay
Here’s a delicious vibrant red that’s super juicy, fresh, light-bodied and bright—the kind of red that’s effortless to drink and goes with everything. The following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.
93 points Karen MacNeil / WineSpeed
Buy The Wine Bible
About Karen MacNeil
See the Current Issue
Punching Down
A process during red wine fermentation where the grape skins are The following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.
Are You a Supertaster?
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.
Open That Bottle Night
Open That Bottle Night (OTBN) began as a simple but powerful idea in 1999, first celebrated in 2000. It was dreamed up by married wine writers Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher, The following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.
By the Numbers
3
Proceeds (in millions of US$) from last weekend’s 2026 Premiere Napa Valley trade auction, according to the Napa Valley Vintners Association. The auction, which raises money for marketing Napa Valley wines, features small lots of one-of-a-kind wines from more than 180 Napa wineries. The following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.
1978
Year that Women’s History Month began as a local “Women’s History Week” celebration in Sonoma County, California. Nearly ten years later March was officially designated as Women’s History Month by the US Congress. Worth noting: in 1978 there were fewer than 5 well-known women wine writers in the US and just 1 woman in the world was a Master of Wine. The association of US Master Sommeliers did not yet exist.
42
Approximate number (in millions) of tourist visits to wineries in California in 2025, according to WineAmerica’s 2025 National Economic Impact Study of the Wine Industry, 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