Comments for Pennsylvania Vine Company

Comment on Serious Wine with Notes of Mineral, Youth by Victor

Victor — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:58:35 +0000

Solid article, and captured the Razzi’s presence and influence on the local marketplace very well. They have some world class offerings, and are amazingly consistent.

Comment on A Visit to J. Maki Winery by Leanne

Leanne — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 02:01:44 +0000

I wish I had read the reviews before I went to J Maki. I found the tasting fee to be outrageous!! Really, 30.00 for a tasting? Ridiculous!!! The price of the wines, including the sparkling wines, were out of control. No matter what you weren’t getting out of J Maki without spending at least 30.00 each. The funny thing is for a tasting you don’t even get a one ounce pour. I think I got one sip from one of the pours ( if you can call what I got a pour, it was more like a drop). I didn’t find the taste to be anything to get excited about. I have been to many local wineries in PA and DE and have found many that offer a cheaper tasting fee and better tasting wines. I won’t go back to J Maki and will not refer any friends.

Comment on Mastroberardino Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio Rosso 2011 by Frank Cipparone

Frank Cipparone — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 17:54:47 +0000

Have to agree with Mike and Bill St. John, all wine tastes better on vacation, especially if you’re close to its point of origin. This one is adaptable to pasta, meat and seafood dishes because of the natural acidity level of Piedirosso, which only grows in the volcanic soils of Campania.

Lacrima Cristi, the “tears of Christ”…so called because when Satan was cast from heaven he stole a piece of it, causing Christ to weep for that portion of paradise lost (got that John Milton fans?)…and where his tears fell to earth vines grew – in Italy, of course.

Comment on A Visit to J. Maki Winery by Frank Cipparone

Frank Cipparone — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 18:11:27 +0000

People who know me will be stunned to read about me defending the French, but Jim Maki’s contention that a “PR campaign” is behind the protection of their cultural heritage is disingenuous. If you buy into his premise, then I guess all that Almaden Mountain Chablis we drank in the 1970s was the real deal, too….even though I’m not sure if it was actually Chardonnay, which is beside the point. Maybe next he can make a Sangiovese and palm it off as a Chianti Classico for $35 a pop.

He needs to get over it and call it sparkling wine like everyone else outside of Champagne. Put “methode champennois” on the label if you’re trying to convince consumers you’re making it according to French methods.

Comment on Domaine Chante Cigale Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc 2011 by Jeff Alexander

Jeff Alexander — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 03:08:38 +0000

John, good call on the P and F. I somehow completely missed it. Thanks for reading!

Comment on Domaine Chante Cigale Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc 2011 by John C

John C — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 02:14:34 +0000

Jeff

Nice write-up on a wine that I almost forgot was coming in. We certainly don’t see enough CdP blanc’s in the states. Don’t hesitate to put a bottle or two down for a couple of years as they will age nicely in good years.

You did forget the 2006 Perrin & Fils Les Sinards Blanc that was a CS in 2010 for the same price. That was a nice bottle too!

Keep up the good work with the website.

John

Comment on Guasti Clemente Boschetto Vecchio Barbera d’Asti 2007 by Frank Cipparone

Frank Cipparone — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 19:41:01 +0000

This producer also makes a Barbera di Monferrato…they usually have more power and depth than those from Asti or Alba zones. It would be neat to taste them side by side. I’ve seen the bottle you reviewed on restaurant lists for as much as $63….a bit steep for, as you correctly state, one of Piedmont’s everyday wines.

Comment on Death of a Winery by Jeff Kralik

Jeff Kralik — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 19:06:43 +0000

Matt, I agree with Mike–a great story that all of us winos can appreciate and envy. There is no doubt that there was and is a whole host of people associated with Chaddsford that care deeply about wine and strive to make the best wine they can. In fact, on my recent visit to the winery, while everyone was very nice and engaging, the passion really came out when we started talking about different wines and vintages. Like with many wineries I have visited around the world, vintners seem to treat different vintages as if they were children. Eyes get a bit glassy and far away stares are common. There are frequent anecdotes about the year–the challenges, surprises, and joys. I distinctly remember wondering what might happen to that passion as Chaddsford moves away from that type of wine making. Perhaps those people will stay on, but at what “cost”?

Comment on Death of a Winery by Jeff Kralik

Jeff Kralik — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 19:05:55 +0000

Let’s hope that they remain and return to the same level (or beyond) that you recounted in your fabulous comment.

Comment on Death of a Winery by Mike Madaio

Mike Madaio — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 18:18:25 +0000

Matt, that sounds like an amazing thing to have been a part of, despite recent developments – thanks for sharing it with us!