Wine Icon & Wine Bible Author: Karen MacNeil

In this episode of the Vint Podcast, hosts Brady Weller and Billy Galanko sit down with renowned wine author Karen MacNeil to explore her fascinating journey through food and wine writing, the intricacies of crafting The Wine Bible, and her latest campaign, “Come Over October.” With three volumes of The Wine Bible under her belt, Karen reveals the challenges and joys of creating a reference work that’s as approachable as it is informative. This episode also highlights Karen’s latest venture, WineSpeed, her website and weekly newsletter where she shares well-researched insights, opinions, and quick facts about wine. Karen discusses how her journey began in food writing, a pursuit that eventually led her to become one of the most respected voices in wine. She talks about how she made wine writing accessible to everyone, from casual drinkers to connoisseurs, through a blend of in-depth research and relatable storytelling. Karen also shares her thoughts on the wine industry today, covering topics like sustainability, regional trends, and her concerns about the homogenization of New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs and Napa Valley wines. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the Vint Podcast 00:31 Coravin Wine Preservation and Giveaway 03:09 Oregon Chardonnay: America"s Best White Wines? 06:01 Exploring Botrytized Wines and Sparkling Wine 13:08 Interview with Karen McNeil: Author of The Wine Bible 27:53 The Beginnings of the Wine Bible 28:39 Writing Style and Reader Engagement 29:38 Personal Touch in Wine Writing 30:01 The Power of Storytelling in Wine 35:58 Challenges in Writing the Wine Bible 40:15 Food and Wine Pairings 43:39 Emerging Wine Regions and Trends 45:41 The Birth of Wine Speed 48:59 Controversial Opinions in Wine 54:25 Environmental Concerns in Wine Production 57:17 Come Over October Campaign 59:51 Future Plans and Travel 01:03:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts The Vint Podcast is presented by Coravin, the world"s leader in wine preservation systems. Listeners of the Vint Podcast can take 15% off their purchase on Coravin.com by using promo code VINT15 at checkout*. Members of the trade can access exclusive discounts at trade.Coravin.com. The Vint Podcast is a production of the Vint Marketplace, your source for the highest quality stock of fine wines and rare whiskies. Visit www.vintmarketplace.com. To learn more about Vint and the Vint Marketplace, visit us at https://vint.co or Vintmarketplace.com or email Brady Weller at brady@vint.co, or Billy Galanko at Billy@vintmarketplace.com. *Terms and Conditions Apply. Offer valid only on Coravin.com while supplies last. Pricing and discount are subject to change at any time. Coravin reserves the right to limit order quantities. No adjustments to prior purchases. Not valid for cash. Cheers! Past Guests Include: William Kelley, Peter Liem, Eric Asimov, Bobby Stuckey, Rajat "Raj" Parr, Erik Segelbaum, André Hueston Mack, Emily Saladino, Konstantin Baum, Landon Patterson, Heather Wibbels, Carlton "CJ" Fowler, Boris Guillome, Christopher Walkey, Danny Jassy, Kristy Wenz, Dan Petroski, Buster Scher, Andrew Nelson, Jane Anson, Tim Irwin, Matt Murphy, Allen Meadows, Altan Insights, Tim Gaiser, Vince Anter, Joel Peterson, Megan O"Connor, Adam Lapierre, Jason Haas, Ken Freeman, Lisa Perrotti-Brown,...