Jonathan Newman

The LCB is the exclusive retailer and wholesaler of wine and spirits in the Commonwealth. Beer is sold by private industry in Pa. The Kane Report, which chronicles alcohol beverage consumption nationally, pointed to Texas and Souteastern Pa. as the two markets where beer sales are dropping most dramatically. I think we are doing a better job marketing and making the PLCB more consumer friendly. The demographic trends are also pointing to beer consumers switching over to wine and spirits because of health trends and beer being typically higher in carbs. I would recommend that beer distributors and the legislature take a hard look at package reform and Sunday sales. It is also important that beer distibutors upgrade their stores and merchandise better. Customers like to see, touch and sample product. Many distributors need to be more upbeat and consumer-oriented.

I have turned down almost 75% of the deals that have been presented to me. I am looking for a wine that I would purchase myself because it is great juice that I would feel proud putting on my dinner table. The price to quality ratio is very important. I love the 99 St. Francis Reserve merlot at $12.99, but I would have no interest in this produst at the $45 suggested retail. There is nothing more frustrating than spending hard earned money on a mediocre bottle of wine or having a special dinner with friends and family and the wine disappoints. So I take these decisions very seriously and the negotiations over price are intense. The Ch. St. Jean 01 Robert Young Vineyard is a beautiful bottle of Chard, but it tastes a lot better to me at $16.49 than spending over $30 a bottle. I try and find many varietals, at different price points from many countries. When I hear that customers enjoyed the Norton privada, and it was the first time they had a Malbec or a wine from Argentina, it makes me feel good that I am introducing our consumers to unique products that they wouldn't have tried otherwise. I do have personal tatses that certainly come into play and I personally approve every selection. I am a Pinot Noir lover, I do not enjoy vegetal Merlots, Cabernets with a good mouthfeel are important and I do not like overly-oaked chards. The brokers and suppliers are working on tight margins in the Chairman Selection Program, but there is still a lot of product out there and I feel that the PLCB has an obligation as the exclusive retailer in Pa. to fight for the consumer and use our economies of scale and purchasing power to bring home great deals and make the customer first.

Hi Katie, Thank you for hosting me on this forum. I enjoy the egullet website and am honored to participate. I will certainly try to answer most of the questions and look forward to some interesting discussions.

Hello Friends, This is the first time I have ever posted a message on any website. I would like to thank all of you for your kind words on the progress we are making at the PLCB. There is still a lot we have to do, but we are making a lot of progress. The Chairman Selection program has taken a lot of time and commitment but it has been a labor of love and the positive comments keep me fighting for the consumer. Dee Costello has been doing a great job and I appreciate all your positive suggestions and support of her efforts. I look forward to participating in a Q&A session on this website next month. I have a lot of respect for Katie and the work she does and I look forward to the event. I too lost two labrador retrievers that were 13 and 15 less than two years ago and I am a dog lover. When I read your very warm post about losing Clancy and coming home and having the Ravenswood, I thought it was an appropriate time to say hello to everybody and offer you my condolences. Dogs and wine are two of my great loves. Thanks again for all of your kind words and positive encouragement of the reforms we have made and will continue making at the PLCB. Sincerely, Jonathan Newman Chairman Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Uhhhh, yeah. Gets old going to bed at 10 pm once you get to 2/3's or so. Jonathan has screwed my bank account and made me a candidate for Chit-Chat. Drinking the Ravenswood now. Wow, what a wine for 17 bucks. Very refined zin. Needs about 1hr before it shows anything, so open early, or better yet, open a split of something else first. Perfect salve for my wounds-put down my best buddy of 15 yrs today, had to be done, but harder than I expected. Here's to you, Clancy. ←