Pourin' PA

My dilemma...New Hope New Life?

2011-09-29T06:19:00.000-07:00

The image of Poppies in a field to me symbolize new life. Actually, I kinda stole the whole imagry from Mike Peters (The Alarm) who used poppies all throughout the 80's & 90's for his band. They were constantly trying to reinvent themselves as a revalent band, and this flower was their New Life. What's that have to do with me...well, first I have a bit of a dilemma.

I'm sitting on a ton of PA wine that was graciously sent to me to review. Unfortunately, I know for a fact that some of this precious juice is not socially acceptable. Meaning no matter what I say about it, chances are if you bought a bottle, it would not be the greatest vino since sliced bread. SO - do I review it, pan it, and post it for everyone to read? Do I sugar-coat a review & post? Or do I ignore it all together? I've discussed this with many a person in our PA wine industry, and panning wines would just be so counter productive for the state. Sugar coating would probably hurt my integrity...I mean, I'm no expert, but I have a knack for picking up things that I know the everyday wine drinker would be interested in. Those reviews always end up on my home page (www.VinoVic.com). And finally, by ignoring the wine altogether, those producers who work all so hard on their passions would have no idea where they stand versus the rest of the state. These various competition medals, to me, are crap. More times than not, the better vineyards are not represented...and if they were, some of these medals & awards would go to them. So...giving feedback & setting bars, per se, might be helpful.

I've decided to review everything. In addition, I'm moving to an industry standard 100 point system. Most people are familiar with this type of rating, and it gives me the most range to better gauge the wines quality & mass appeal. So - there you have it...a new rating system. Please check out the PA Wineries page of my site www.vinovic.com/PA_Wineries.html very soon for the conversion. It will all be housed there. I hope people better enjoy my ratings, AND, I pray I don't piss off too many producers.

Finally, I have a HUGE project currently brewing. I'm so excited to be working on this, and when I unveil it, you all are going to be like "Whaaaaat, oh, so cool!"

I'm not drinking any f*#@ing Merlot !! WHAT?

2011-08-30T06:47:00.000-07:00

The Barn at Grace Winery - photo by VinoVic

That famous line from Miles in 'Sideways' still makes me laugh to this day. Over the years I have come across so many wine snobs it's unreal. There are just too many people out there snubbing certain varietals or wine regions because they might have had one bad experience, or worse, their friend told them it sucked. WHAT? I don't understand this ignorance. I mean there are many wines that are not my style, but I don't go around saying this sucks, or that is just lousy...those huge generalizations are what really turn me off about some wine drinkers. Unfortunately our Keystone State wines often are subject to this ignorance. If you are truly passionate about wine, then PA should be high on your list. No, not all of it is good, and honestly the sweet wines are only being produced to help sell the deep dark reds that PA CAN and DOES produce very well. But the cost of a solid Merlot, Cab Franc, and even some Cab Sauv blends skyrockets based on so many factors. However these selections can be done very well in PA, and should be acknowledged. Go to my website here and look up a few, specifically in the VinoTV section. But for now, if feeling daring, I'll give you a few key producers to search out on the internet. Allegro, Pinnacle Ridge, Vynecrest, Black Walnut, Galer Estate, Grace Winery, Penn's Woods, Paradocx, and Manatawny Creek. These great people are the heart & soul of our state wine production!!! I only hope they support me the way I do them!!!

Welcome friends !!!

2011-08-21T17:53:00.000-07:00

Hi there - so, another crazy idea/scheme from me (Victor)...but I think this will appeal to many.

It hit me last month, on a Sunday morning, having coffee and watching 'Mrs. Fixit' on 6ABC (Philly). This lady gets on camera, talks about everyday household items, and how things lying around can be used in various ways to make/fix/create a better living environment. Ok, cool, right?!? Except there really isn't any imagination, anything new or realistic that the typical home owner doesn't already know. Like using Popsicle sticks as a finger splint or as a shim to level that kitchen table. WHAT!!!??? She's on a major regional channel talking this nonsense?! She's not even filming in Philly!!! Come on. I said to my wife this lady is ridiculous, and my VinoVic.com vids are more educational, even the ones where I'm half in the bag! That's when it hit me...

Pourin' PA can be about any beverage produced in PA. Not always about wine, but lets chat about local beer, meade, spring water, coffee, soda...ANY beverage made in our beloved Keystone State. Why not? I mean, talk about Jersey fresh, how about all those drinks that PA produces that makes our world that much more enjoyable? So, here it is...my blog devoted to learning, educating, and drinking PA products! Hope you subscribe, tell a friend, and so on. Hell...maybe I can supplant 'Mrs. Fixit' someday with something of interest!
(BTW - I'm still tweeking the look & feel of the blog, and yes I'll be attaching it somehow to VinoVic.com!)