Search results for Karen Macneil

Karen MacNeil to Keynote 2026 UC Davis / Harvard “Vine to Mind” Symposium, Joined by Christine Wente and Michael Mondavi

Celebrating 50 Years of Great American Wines

In 1976, American winemakers bested their French counterparts at the Judgment of Paris. It’s truly remarkable how much progress American wine has made since then.

22 useful hacks to get the most out of your wine experience in the supermarket or restaurant

Barrett was in Dublin this week for the 50th anniversary of the famous Judgement of Paris, when his family winery’s Chardonnay beat all French competitors in a blind tasting, a piv...

50 Years After the Judgment Of Paris, California Wine Understands Its Worth

The tasting that established California as a serious wine region still shapes how Napa—and the broader New World—understands itself today.

California’s Wine Whisperer Turns the Page

Matt Taylor makes superb California pinot noirs, chardonnays, cabernet sauvignons and chenin blancs. He’s now navigating a life of winemaking beyond the vineyard that defined his s...

Wine 101: In Defense of Cabernet Sauvignon 50 Years After the Judgement of Paris

Fifty years ago, the Judgement of Paris played a major role in solidifying the prestige of Cabernet Sauvignon made in the United States. Soon after, a number of factors led America...

The 30 Best Cabernet Sauvignons for 2026

Born in Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon became a household name in the United States after arriving in California, gaining significant traction by the 1930s. However, it was the 1970s...

Dim Lights, Thick Smoke, and Loud, Loud Tannins

Reviews! – Eila, Finite, Force Majeure, K, Quady North, Wautoma Springs & WeatherEye

Smith-Madrone Chardonnay a Top Contender in Re-Creation of 1976 Paris Tasting

Your Ultimate Napa Valley Itinerary

As America’s first American Viticultural Area (AVA), Napa Valley has been celebrated around the world for its wine for generations. This beloved region first made it big on the wor...

Wine, Whiskey, and More: Getting the Most from a Grand Tasting

There is something glorious about walking into a ballroom and seeing dozens of tables collectively pouring hundreds of different wines or whiskeys. I recently attended two “Grand T...

The Perfect Gift

The West Coast Wineries Taking Sustainability Seriously

The 13 most noteworthy sustainable wineries in Oregon, Washington and California.

How to Find Great Values in Wine

Costs are rising, but with exploration and understanding one’s own limits it’s still possible to maximize quality at the right price.

Order better wine by glass 11974111

Celebrating Excellence in Winemaking: Pacific Rim Wine Competition Top Wines Awarded After Rigorous Expert Tasting

The Wines That Changed How America Drinks, Decade by Decade

Walking into a wine shop in 2026 looks a lot different than it would have in the 1970s. Where shelves might have been lined then with jugs of Carlo Rossi California Chablis, shoppe...

рџ“єInside the Napa winery that shocked the wine world

50 years ago, a Napa Valley wine shocked the wine world when it beat the best of France in a blind tasting. We visited the winery that started it all.

рџ“є”One of the BEST White Wines in the World”

A Master Sommelier gives Angus a bottle he only gifts to close friends… and it turns into one of the most fascinating white wine episodes we’ve ever recorded...

The wine that changed everything: Inside Grgich Hills Estate, 50 Years On

Grirgich Hills Estate celebrates 50 years since the Judgement of Paris, a wine competition that changed the wine world forever.

The Hidden World Behind This Wine Country Town And Recipes That Made It Famous

The Hidden World Behind This Wine Country Town And Recipes That Made It Famous

Wine 101: Quintessa

In 1944, George Mardikian purchased a 280-acre plot of land in the northern Napa Valley as a vacation home for his family. By then, Mardikian was already something of a popular nam...

How a Small Virginia Distillery Became Sazerac’s Secret Weapon

We’re almost 20 years into America’s “bourbon boom,” and big producers no longer have a stranglehold on industry awards and recognition. That’s partly a function of time. These day...

Wine 101: Thoughts on American Wine Before We Fly to Bordeaux

This episode of Wine 101 is brought to you by Meiomi. Springtime moments deserve to be more than ordinary, from those first few patio dinners to picnics in the park. Paired with Me...