Ask Karen Archive - Karen MacNeil & Company

I’ve often heard people say women are better wine tasters than men. Is that true?

by Karen MacNeil | Feb 6, 2026

Dear Karen, I’ve often heard people say women are better wine tasters than men. Is that true?The following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.

Dear Karen, Does red wine tend to be sweeter than white wine?

by Karen MacNeil | Jan 30, 2026

Dear Karen, Does red wine tend to be sweeter than white wine?The following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.

January austerity has set in. We are eating lots of pasta dishes. Are Chianti and Chianti Classico more or less the same or is Chianti Classico a slightly better version?

by Karen MacNeil | Jan 16, 2026

Dear Karen, January austerity has set in. We are eating lots of pasta dishes. Are Chianti and Chianti Classico more or less the same or is Chianti Classico a slightly better version?The following content is accessible for members only, please sign...

What does unfiltered mean exactly?

by Karen MacNeil | Jan 9, 2026

“Dear Karen, I was at a wine shop last night and saw a wine label that said “unfiltered”. What does that mean exactly?” The following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.

I wondered why only grapes make great wine?

by Karen MacNeil | Jan 2, 2026

Dear Karen, This morning while I was eating an apricot, I wondered why only grapes make great wine? –Kelsey Z. (Atlanta, GA)The following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.

Dear Karen, is sugar added to wine?

by Karen MacNeil | Dec 26, 2025

“Dear Karen, is sugar added to wine?”The following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.

What is Coteaux Champenois? -Kayleigh R. (St. Louis, MO)

by Karen MacNeil | Jul 11, 2025

Karen: I recently saw the words Coteaux Champenois on a wine list. What is Coteaux Champenois?The following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.

Can wine taste warm or cool

by Karen MacNeil | Jun 7, 2024

“Dear Karen, Can wine taste warm or cool regardless of temperature?” The following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.

Flavor and aroma

by Karen MacNeil | Mar 29, 2024

“Dear Karen, Should a wine’s flavor be similar to the aroma? For example, if you smell lemons, The following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.

How to buy vermouth

by Karen MacNeil | Mar 22, 2024

“Dear Karen, What should I look for when buying vermouth?” The following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.

« Older Entries

The name “Burgundy” comes from: The following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.

A. The medieval French word for a small village, similar to the Old English “burg”

B. A nomadic German tribe which once settled in the area

C. The Latin word Burgarius which was the name for a Roman province that once extended over most of central France

D. The name for early French rural governing bodies which were made up of noble councilmen who were known as Burrs

The Origin of the 750ml Wine Bottle

Every week or every month (or every day) we open wine bottles. The following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.