yeldarb

I think it's fitting that this thread has turned to reminiscing the Best of the Chairmans Selections... since it's almost assured that the CS program will be over soon, at least as we know it. Personally, I'll avail myself of these last lots Newman had a hand in picking, but then I'm DONE. I am inclined to boycott the State Stores in protest of Fast Eddie's bad decision. I guess it's back to asking my friends in NY to order wine for me, and making the occasional pilgrimage to Zachy's or Moore Bros. This whole thing just left a bad taste in my mouth, not unlike the expectation of finally opening a carefully cellared wine only to discover that it's past it's prime, you've waited too long, and it will only get worse. Thanks all for your educational comments and comeraderie. It was fun while it lasted.

This article in the Inky today about Newman was spot-on: http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/16399481.htm "As hard as Newman and his successors might try to soften its edges, the LCB system absolutely guarantees that we'll never see the kind of innovation now sweeping the wine business elsewhere. So my best career advice for the former chairman is this: Take your credibility in the industry and among wine consumers and use it to help us get rid of the LCB - once and for all." I couldn't have said it better myself.

This is a sad day for PA residents. Head of LCB quits after spat with Rendell http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/16374461.htm I lost a lot of respect for Rendell with this fiasco. The Conti appointment smacks of cronyism and I can't help but feel that the creating of the CEO position is all about continuing to milk the teat that is the Johnstown Flood tax. I am embarassed to live in PA. My friends in NY who get wide selection and competitive prices at Zachy's or one of the many fine wine stores in NYC are laughing at us again. We had a brief shining period where Mr. Newman brought PA some street cred and improved our image. Our system was beginnign to look like it wasn't run by a bunch of rubes. It looks like the fat cats win again, though, consumers be damned.

I hope this post isn't deleted, because it's extremely accurate, imho. I've lived in PA all my life but have the benefit of a friend who lives near Zachy's and numerous other wine stores that put even the best PA Wine & Spirits shops to shame. Don't get me wrong, I think Jon Newman has brought tremendous improvements... but while he deserves being lauded, let's keep in mind that what he started with was a pretty abysmal system. I'm sure the reason the LCB is not dismantled is that it brings in huge revenues to the state, and employs lots of people (some of whom are excellent wine consultants, but some of whom are shlubs with a 'government job' attitude.) Don't forget, we have that Johnstown flood to pay for... ;-) At least you can go buy a single bottle of wine, now even on Sundays in some places. I have an even bigger issue with PA's crazy 3-tier beer distribution system. I know this is a wine forum but since I also lvoe microbrews I can help but chime in on how stupid it is that I have to buy a whole CASE of something I want to try, when in neighboring states I can just buy a 2 or 3 bottles at a grocery store, or at most a six-pack. Yes there are bars in PA that sell six-packs, but they overcharge for the convenience and cater mostly to the Bud crowd anyway. I'd happily vote for someone (elephant or donkey) who promised real reform of PA's wine and beer regulations. At least it's an issue everyone can understand! (privatization of highways and bridges, anyone? http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06262/722995-147.stm)

One of these days every bottle is going to have an RFID tag on it, and the "system" (like the Borg) will know at any time where every single bottle is located. :-) I don't understand why the LCB doesn't pioneer such an inventory system. Wine retailing is an industry where matching customers with the products they want to buy is critical to sales. This process of guessing which stores are going to need which product, shipping it there and then waiting around to see who buys it... ludicrous! Certainly some store inventory is nice for browsing, etc. But for premium items, especially, it would seem a no-brainer to invest in a smarter inventory system that minimizes the time and distance from winery to customer.

oh well, it's back up.

What's the deal with the PLCB web site? Seems to be down, or else the URLs have changed yet again.

Where did you pick it up? I wasn't aware that any of the PLCBs '97 Nardi had come in yet. The site still shows early May arrival...

This sounds way cool (especially as I am a hopeless enophile!) Thanks much! B

Do you have an address or URL? I google "King of Thai" "San Francisco" but there are several seemingly different places. B

How about Thai? Or a good place for crabcakes? B

I am in San Francisco for Macworld (first time here.) Tonight I experienced "House of Nanking" on Kearny in Chinatown, food was good (the service a bit odd, although fun and ultimately valuable since they seem to prefer to serve you what they think you will like, versus ordering from the menu.) What else should we experience in the downtown area over the next four days? From reading a bit of this forum, I think Yank Sing should be high on our list for dim sum (lunch preferable to dinner?) Basically I'd liek recommendations for the downtown area, generally along Market Street, I think it's called SoMa, and around the Moscone Center, and Union Square area or Chinatown fine too. My friend says he might want some abalone. I've never had it but I understand it's not in season so only a select few super-expensive restaurants may have it from their own tanks. Really dunno much about that tho. Looking forward to suggestions. Thanks! B

Yes I'd like to get a heads-up, too, when this one starts shipping out. There have been some recent minor, but very nice, modifications to the Chairman's Selection "Now in Stores" list on the PLCB website. Each sku number is now clickable to do a quick search for inventory. This is very handy! Also the "content last modified" at the bottom lets you know how current the information is (very current!) Kudos to those responsible.

I could see you calling my opinion wrong, as is your right, but I don't quite get the logical misstep/fallacy you're accusing me of. Please explain. You're statement wasn't really an opinion, it was an IF/THEN logic statement. You pose that if anyone can place a web order, "What chance to I have of getting any anywhere?" Well, online is included in "anywhere", and you would have exactly the same chance as anyone else with a web browser. My point was that currently any given customer does not have an equal chance of obtaining a Chairman's Selection item (for example), since the distribution is so screwy. It's apaprently luck, or a lot of work driving around to various stores, which is absurd with the technology we have today. I certainly concede your point about "browsing" in the store and that it's nice to discover things you may not have known you wanted. However, given limited quantities, I would think the LCB would prefer to pre-sell ALL of a wine, rather than risk not selling some quantity because certain stores they blindly stocked didn't happen to get a shopper/browser like you to discover the wine. Anyway, there's an easy solution to prevent people from being a pig, LCB could simply limit quantities for pre-order, or not require full cases. As to your suggestion about asking the local manager for a bottle transfer, sometimes that works but often it doesn't. Depends on the manager, the staff, the transferring store and their staff, etc. I've found this to be unreliable and too time-consuming. Placing an pre-order online would take minutes. Jus my $0.02

This statement is illogical. You'd have exactly the same chance, that's the point (assuming you can use a web browser, a fine assumption since you're on egullet.org!) If you're concerned about a ticketmaster-like effect, then LCB could limit quantities, easy as that. The point is that it would be a more level playing field, and more efficient distribution, than the current "wait and see" method.