Bob P from Conshohocken, PA

You’re just going to piss them off more. Keep it up. If my PA income tax rate goes up due to this issue, I will be submitting an invoice to you. · I think this is great FREE advertisement for you. How much is a half page ad in the Philly Inquirer?

 

  Anonymous from Plymouth Meeting, PA

Thanks, all is well except for what I can’t say on the record – that our members are getting crappy “Chairman’s Selections” to sell in the PA stores. It’s no wonder that their sales are down. I also can’t say on the record that I look forward to getting down your way to see Jonathan’s selections in action.

 

  Mike from West Chester, PA

I share your embarrassment in being a PA resident. Here’s a thought. Why not call it the politically correct term “Chairperson”? That would fry ‘em. I spent many years on various State and regional boards working with the Health Department. The only constant was the frustration and consumption of time working with mindless bureaucrats who only figure out new ways to justify their worthless jobs. In the end, your’e right, it’s not worth spending your hard earned money so some attorney can line his pocket with your tax dollars. Fighting them is like paying twice. An old friend once said the best revenge is living well. I worked many years for a paycheck. Owning your own business is the only way you can really get ahead. Donna and I continue to wish you and your family well. Let’s all enjoy the great life our families have in Chester County.

 

  Ellie C of Pheonixville, PA

Isn’t the PLCB ridiculous! Jonathan did wonders for wine lovers in PA, and we miss him. The program is indeed in decline since he left. I commend you for snagging him and wish both of you the best with the X-Selections program.

 

  Chris H of Avondale, PA

No use fighting the man. PA is one screwy state (commonwealth). They should not be involved in the sale of alcohol to begin with, but it is good for you that they do. You can count on the government to screw things up. It drives me crazy that they sell alcohol, but leave car inspection to private companies. They should just switch ownership. With any luck we will have government healthcare. It will be just like buying at an ABC store. It will cost more and you won’t get the service or quality your deserve.

 

  John P from Malvern, PA

As a Pennsylvania resident myself, I too am surprised that the State would put such an effort behind “cleaning up” any perceived marketplace confusion. The confusion exists at the Governor’s level who thinks that replacing a true wine connoisseur with an impostor will not have business repercussions. Believe me, I was never confused and it still infuriates me what Ed Rendell did and how he did it. Just one more reason to keep buying Jonathan’s recommendations from you. Thanks for that piece of information.

 

 Ralph G of Wilmington, DE

Frank, Am I in trouble? I bought a case each of the whites selected by Mr. Newman last week. I thought they were quite good and i am having a glass of the Amberton Chardonnay as I relax from coming back from New York. Should I expect a raid by the pa state police? I plan to plead not guilty and throw myself on the mercy of the court. It does my heart good to know that the pa tax payers have found something important to do with their money. Lawyers are people too (not scientifically proven) and they too must live. Please let me know if you are thrown into a pa jail. I will try to smuggle in a bottle of the new chairman’s selection, which you can use to dissolve the lock. Ralph

Dear Frank, As a hard-nosed lawbreaker, I am ready to continue my illegal activities by dealing with the x-chairman. Do you have any more silver spur and Dominari chardonnay at the great case price you offered this month. If you do and the price is the same, i would like two cases of each (total 4 cases). I am wondering how you managed to turn a gaff by the pa liquor board into a great, free advertisement in the local paper. I guess it is just good merchandising to go with the good wines. We have had a good laugh over it, as we quaff a bit of the Dominari. Ralph

 

 Rick W from Philadelphia, PA

Frank, Good luck in taking down the PLCB - we all appreciate the efforts. Just in case you need some new branding....

Selections from the man formally known as Chairman
Selections from Newman - These are not your PLCB Wines
Newman's Own (I think this one is already taken)
Chairman's Wines, PLCB Whines!

P.S. Unlike the PLCB, as Party of the first part (me), hereby authorize, the Party of the second part (you) to use any of intellectual capital (or lack there of) listed above. Rick

 

 Mark R of Avondale, PA

Send them a case white zin and say this is one of the best you’ve ever tasted. As you’ve said before “friends don’t let friends drink white zin” no real friends in PA government. PLCB and their lawyers should find something else to do.

 

 Gregg T from Wilmington, DE

Knowing a few lawyers myself (albeit none that represent the PLCB), my guess is that they probably won't be amused or see the distinction and clarification you're trying to make between the two programs... Then, again, calling the PLCB and their lawyers humorless and soulless is fairly redundant. On the positive side... Remember P.T. Barnum... "There's no such thing as bad publicity."

 

 Peter C from Wilmington, DE

Don't worry. The Governor is more concerned about the Penguins - Flyers series.

 

 Art L. of Chadds Ford, PA

Hi Frank. I've been reading the comments on your Web site. My opinion is that Jonathan Newman and and Pennsylvania are the both suffering the consequences of the split. They had a true symbiotic relationship. Without Jonathan, the quantity and quality of Pennsylvania's offerings have declined. Without Pennsyvania, Jonathan has no clout. I would change the name from "xChairman Selections" to the "X-Factor." Jonathan is bringing in nameless brands that have not been professionally critiqued. Why should the consumer rely on Jonathan's palate for a recommendation?

 

 Mike S of Avondale, PA

I loved the press over the X-mans selection controversy. I'm hoping you can get someone from Wine Spectator to write it up as well and enjoy even more publicity. I was thinking you might do what Bully Hill in the Finger Lakes of NY did years ago and put a black line over part of the word. Maybe X-Blackbox-man's Selections or similar. Bully Hill got about 20 years out of that approach before they were told they couldn't do that either. Maybe a call to Bully Hill would put you in touch with their attorney who might help you out Gratis since they have fought this silly name issue for years. Mike

 

 Shelly & Roy S of Philadelphia, PA

Thank you for advertising Jonathan's selections. We hate what happened to him. It was a loss to our state's wine lovers. Send our regards to him from us please. We met him many times and not only respected his wine choices, but thoroughly enjoyed him as a person.