Twitter Talk: Karen MacNeil On The New Version of "The Wine Bible"

Many wine writers (myself included) have a well-worn copy of Karen MacNeil's The Wine Bible. It's the first wine book I owned and I still refer to it to this day. MacNeil recently stopped by SommChat on Twitter to talk about when we can expect the highly anticipated new version to be published and more, including one of my all-time favorite food and wine pairings.

Here are some highlights:

@adamplotkin new version of #wine bible will be out in Spring 2015 but publisher hasn't set date for electronic version #sommchat
— Karen MacNeil (@KMacWine) April 23, 2014

More than just an update, a new Wine Bible:

@keepercoll It's a brand new book, not just an update new photos, info, side boxes, new countries #SommChat
— Karen MacNeil (@KMacWine) April 23, 2014

How many wines did MacNeil taste for the new edition?

@elloinos about 10000 #wines from all over the world #SommChat
— Karen MacNeil (@KMacWine) April 23, 2014

So you want to be a wine writer?

@SiduriWines Adam it is much harder - being paid the same rate today as I was paid in 1980! #SommChat
— Karen MacNeil (@KMacWine) April 23, 2014

What wine regions deserve a look?

@armchairsomm #slovenia #canada #mexico and #Hungary way under radar #sommchat
— Karen MacNeil (@KMacWine) April 23, 2014

What started it all...

@keepercoll I was inspired by the role #wine played in history and culture #SommChat
— Karen MacNeil (@KMacWine) April 23, 2014

The keys to the success of the book and its accessibility?

@keepercoll Ppl tell me that when they read the #wine bible it feels like I am talking to them - 1st bk took 10 yrs #sommchat
— Karen MacNeil (@KMacWine) April 23, 2014

@keepercoll the whole time I was writing I imagined i was telling the story of #wine not writing it #sommchat
— Karen MacNeil (@KMacWine) April 23, 2014

Spanish wine regions to explore?

@butleriv Campo de Borja, Toro, Jumilla, and Jerez #sommchat
— Karen MacNeil (@KMacWine) April 23, 2014

Now this is interesting:

@armchairsomm I don't read other wine reviews b/c I don't want to be influenced by other writers' opinions #sommchat
— Karen MacNeil (@KMacWine) April 23, 2014

MY HERO!