Tom Corbett?
Filed Under The Wine World
In the Wine School’s August newsletter, I promoted a wine tasting/fundraiser in support of Tom Corbett for governor.
The endorsement startled many folks, since most assumed that I am a card-carrying liberal. After all, I am a former NPR journalist and Democratic operative from Massachusetts. So why would I support a Republican for the PA Governorship? There have been a great deal of rumors flying around, so I feel it is time to address a few points.
My reasons are quite straightforward: For the past decade, my job has been to educate and advocate for the wine consumers in the region, and I take that very seriously. My job also has a political component, for the obvious reason that the PA state agency that interprets the liquor laws –the PLCB– also has a monopoly on selling the product.
The PLCB has an awe-inspiring amount of power. As a state agency, it is an autonomous entity that is able to control how the liquor laws are interpreted and enforced without fear of reprisal. In fact, the PLCB is legally authorized to use the state police as their code enforcers. Plus, the agency generates about 2 billion dollars in revenue for the state annually, and it has a very strong union. All in all, the agency is impervious to reform… except when there is the potential to nominate a new Board of Directors. That only happens with the election of a new Governor.
After numerous private conversations earlier this year, I am certain that a Corbett governorship will be the best shot at reforming the PLCB. While i cannot speak on the record about most of my conversations, what it all comes down to is this: who is going to be on the PLCB board of directors?
Since this is the only shot we will have for 8 years, it’s really now or never. However, it still took me a months to finally make the announcement, since it goes against my personal political beliefs.
There has been some backlash to the announcement. The angry emails came within hours, and then an anonymous troll started a smear campaign via his new blog and the citywide forum Philadelphia Speaks.
The smear campaign has been met with widespread derision –the replies on Philadelphia Speaks are both intelligent and hilarious– and that has reinforced my conviction that I have done the right thing.
Keep in mind that I am not telling my fellow Dems to vote for Tom Corbett–this is by far not the only issue at stake this election season. I am simply addressing an important issue that deserves the consideration of all rational PA voters.
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Wish I thought of that.
Filed Under The Wine World
Imagine being able to try a dozen different wines in an evening. Maybe even watch a video of a sommelier talking about those very wines. Hell, maybe even ask him/her questions via a live online feed. It would be like wine school without me (sigh). Brixr has taken the concept and are using TinyBottles (a kinda new packaging program in which suppliers can offer their wines in taste-sized portions) to create virtual wine classes/tastings. Very cool concept, and I really wish I thought of that first!
The tastings packs are pretty reasonable, and the concept is very very cool.
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The Weekly Wine Tweets
Filed Under Food & Wine
- The Weekly Wine Tweets: L’Angolo di Vino, 2/24/2009: If you’ve read any of the wine reviews I’ve po.. http://bit.ly/aaLmmP #
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The Wines of Italy
Filed Under Philly Wine Classes
The South
1. Feudo Maccari 2006 “ReNotoâ€, Sicily (Nero D’ Avola)
2. Botromagno2005 Primitivo, Puglia
Further up the Boot
1. Feudi di San Gregorio 2004 Taurasi DOCG (Aglianico)
Central Italy
1. Falesco 2007 “Vitianoâ€, Umbria (Merlot, Etc)
2. Geppetti 2005 Morellino di Scansano (Sangiovese)
The North East
1. Allegrini 2005 “La Grolaâ€, Veronese (Valpolicella)
The North West
1. Hilberg-Pasquero 2007 “Vareijâ€, Priocca (Barbera)
2. Ceretto 2003 Barolo Brunate (Nebbiolo)
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Latour on Latour. The wines of Domaine Louis Latour with Louis-Fabrice Latour
Filed Under Philly Wine Classes
Simonnet Febvre Cremant de Bourgogne
Louis Latour 2006 “Duet†Chardonnay-Viognier,
Vin de Pays des Coteaux de L’Ardeche
Louis Latour 2006 Vire Clesse
Louis Latour 2006 Meursault
Château Louis Latour 2007 Corton Charlemagne, Grand Cru
Louis Latour Domaine de Valmoissine 2008 Pinot Noir,
Vin de Pays des Coteaux de Verdon
Louis Latour 2006 Marsannay
Louis Latour 2006 Pommard-Epenots, Premier Cru
Château Louis Latour 2006 Corton Grancey, Grand Cru
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The Weekly Wine Tweets
Filed Under Food & Wine
- L’Angolo di Vino, 2/24/2009: If you’ve read any of the wine reviews I’ve posted over the last coupl.. http://bit.ly/bpqws6 #
- The February Newsletter (late again!) http://aweber.com/b/1MpSr #
- The Weekly Wine Tweets: Convicted!: The judge has ruled and Red Bicyclette suppliers convicted. It seems Gallo.. http://bit.ly/bufLu2 #
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The Weekly Wine Tweets
Filed Under Food & Wine
- Convicted!: The judge has ruled and Red Bicyclette suppliers convicted. It seems Gallo itself was duped by tho.. http://bit.ly/cv968A #
- L’Angolo di Vino, 2/16/2009: Monastero Suore Cistercensi 2007 “Coenobium”, Lazio You have to be a c.. http://bit.ly/aiqlhy #
- Byzantine-era Wine Press Found in Israel: Archeaologists dig up a 1,400-year-old wine press in Central Israel. .. http://bit.ly/bEzqcy #
- The Weekly Wine Tweets: Was Gallo Duped? We’ll Know in a Few Days: Another day, another scandal:
It’s al.. http://bit.ly/cf6XaJ #
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The Weekly Wine Tweets
Filed Under Food & Wine
- Was Gallo Duped? We’ll Know in a Few Days: Another day, another scandal:
It’s all about the Red Bicyclet.. http://bit.ly/daxhmy # - Are the Times A-Changin’?: A New Jersey bill would allow direct shipping of wine to consumers. Will this decis.. http://bit.ly/aCktEj #
- The Weekly Wine Tweets: Authentic Brunello di Montalcino: The scandal is in the past, but not the too-far past;.. http://bit.ly/bGAMl3 #
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The Weekly Wine Tweets
Filed Under Food & Wine
- Authentic Brunello di Montalcino: The scandal is in the past, but not the too-far past; thus, many questions s.. http://bit.ly/9nl9yu #
- Wine Criticism a Thing of the Past?: Well, I don’t see that happening. Not anytime soon. But Oliver Thr.. http://bit.ly/bsyteS #
- L’Angolo di Vino, 2/2/10: As promised, some more of the interesting wines Icame across the last two months.
Te.. http://bit.ly/9LzcCB # - Judgement of Sussex?: The votes are in and French Champagne has lost out to an English sparkling white!
Read.. http://bit.ly/cOPRf5 #
- The Weekly Wine Tweets: The January Newsletter (sorry it's so late!) http://ping.fm/dADQY #
L’Angolo d.. http://bit.ly/bQTYxp #
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The Weekly Wine Tweets
Filed Under Food & Wine
- The January Newsletter (sorry it's so late!) http://aweber.com/b/eRyz #
- L’Angolo di Vino, 1/25/10: It’s been a month since the holidays and I’m just now going over my note.. http://bit.ly/8hucQb #
- The Weekly Wine Tweets: BuckFast and Furious: How could the headline Tonic wine monks attacked by bishop over B.. http://bit.ly/7bIadj #
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