As many readers of WineSpeed would know, historically, red wine has often been fined with egg whites. The proteins in the egg whites bind like a Velcro patch to certain tannins in the wine, which then settle out of solution and leave the wine feeling a little softer. The first time I learned this many decades ago, I wondered what happens to the millions of egg yolks? Read this week’s Fascinating Fact for one of the answers. Our Wine to Know this week is an earthy, savory Pinot Noir from one of California’s top appellations for Pinot—the Sta Rita Hills in Santa Barbara County. If you like dense silky-textured wines, this is for you. And if you can, don’t miss our Indulgence. Deeply rich and powerful, it’s an Hermitage with a great reputation. In this week’s Ask Karen, I answer a good logical question. And finally, don’t miss the Numbers. The Number 6 just blew me away.
—Happy fall, Karen
Deeply earthy, Dragonette’s Pinot Noir is more savory than fruity, with fascinating notes of espresso, leather, iron, and peat (the Pinot equivalent of single malt Scotch?), plus a touch ofThe following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.
95 points Karen MacNeil / WineSpeed
Water with Steak
My Favorite Videos in Celebration of Come Over October — WFF with Alecia Moore (P!NK)
All this month, I’m featuring interviews I’ve conducted with some of wine’s most compelling people, as we talk about wine’s ability to foster connection, sharing, and friendship.
My interview with Alecia Moore (stage name P!nk) was a special highlight for me during the Come Over October campaign. Alecia’s ability to articulate the beauty of wine and her passion for wine are remarkable. But then, she herself is a remarkable person. Don’t miss this video.
NEED NUMBERS IMAGE (provided by client)
ONCE IMAGE RECEIVED FROM CLIENT, ADD IMAGE AS PART OF SHORTCODE
6
Number of months summer will last in the year 2100, according to The Economist. Already, grape harvests, once pegged to September in the northern hemisphere, now begin The following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.
1.5
The number (in billions) of Aperol Spritzes served globally every year, according to The Wall Street Journal. Created in Padua, Italy, in 1919, The following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.
277
Percentage increase in the number of grapes produced from vines grown in the shade of solar panels in Puglia compared to grapes grown from vines in direct sunlight, according to research published in Horticulturae. Puglia, the Southeastern region of Italy, is known for The following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.
Instantly recognizable by its dark, caramelized crust and soft, custardy center, the canelé is Bordeaux’s iconic pastry. The pastry was born in the 18th century as a “byproduct” of winemaking. The following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.
The Canelé’s Winemaking Roots
FYI THIS IS AN AREA FOR CLIENT TO CUSTOMIZE
Celebrate International Sommelier Day
Next Wednesday (June 3), we are celebrating International Sommelier Day, a holiday established by a group of passionate sommeliers in Mexico. The day commemorates the founding of the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale, established on this date in France in 1969 and honors professionals for their expertise in tasting, pairing, and guest service. Show appreciation for your favorite Somm with a 1-year gift subscription to WineSpeed.
* Wines recommended in WineSpeed are based on the editorial tastings and decisions of Karen MacNeil & Company and are not sponsored by the wineries. The price reported is often an average price found online at the time of publication.
All content in WineSpeed is written by Karen MacNeil and her team. No content is generated by AI.
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About Karen
Karen MacNeil—author of The Wine Bible, named as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the Wine Industry, recipient of nearly every major wine award, and considered one of America’s foremost wine teachers—conducts private wine tasting seminars for individuals, groups, and businesses around the world. Among her clients: Audemars Piguet, General Electric, Lexus, Merrill Lynch, University of Notre Dame, and several international law firms. Karen is one of America’s leading wine presenters and gives keynote speeches at industry and consumer conferences worldwide. Karen MacNeil & Company creates one-of-a-kind wine experiences for clients at exclusive wineries in the Napa Valley and other wine regions. Contact Karen here.