Internet wine sales have come to Pennsylvania. Now we have another option to purchase those hard-to-find wines: wines that we tasted on one of our trips but could not find when we returned home or wines that we had for special occasions in the past.
The state Legislature has passed a law that allows any resident of Pennsylvania age 21 or older to order wine via the Internet for personal use. You can order only wines that are not available in Pennsylvania Wine and Spirits shops. The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board offers approximately 25,000 different wines through its regular and specialty stores or by Special Liquor Order (SLO).
Go to the PLCB Web site www.lcb.state.pa.us/retail/direct_shippers.asp.
Using PLCB product codes (in the text or sidebar), you will be able to determine if your wine is available from the PLCB. Although you can search for the availability of whiskeys, this is offered as a convenience. You only can purchase wine via the Internet.
If you have determined that your wine is not available, you need to find a licensed direct wine shipper that carries the wine. Using licensed Wine Direct Shipper (in the text) on the Web site, you can obtain a list of licensed shippers to contact via their Internet sites.
As this was written, so far only The Wine Messenger from New Rochelle, N.Y., was listed. The listing will be updated automatically as direct wine shippers are added.
Contact the licensed wine shipper to see if it has your wine. If it does, you are ready to place your order with that shipper via its Internet site. You will be charged for shipping plus a $4.50 handling fee. Pennsylvania's 18 percent liquor tax and 6 percent sales tax (7 percent in Allegheny County) will be added. You cannot purchase more than 9 liters (a 12-bottle case of regular size 750-ml bottles) per month from a single direct wine shipper.
You can select a specific PLCB wine store for your pickup. The store manager will call you when the wine has arrived. I have not tried to do this yet. Good luck and please let me know how it has worked for you.
Highly recommended
Outstanding (90-94):
Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey ($27.99; PLCB 6953)
Bourbon is America's contribution to the world of great whiskeys, and the Labrot and Graham Distillery has produced an outstanding one, bottled at 90.4 proof. The Woodford Reserve has a spicy and nutty aroma highlighted with sweet vanilla oak. It is smooth and complex on the palate with spice and dried fruit flavors and a rich, lingering finish. Drink it neat like a fine cognac.
Connoisseur Selection (95-100):
Redbreast Old Pure Pot Still Irish Whiskey ($42.99; Specialty 10188)
I know St. Patrick's Day is a distant memory, but this outstanding Irish whiskey is new to the U.S. market, and I just had to bring it to your attention. I first tasted Redbreast while visiting my son in Europe in June, and I was completely blown away with its quality. The Redbreast is aged 12 years and bottled at 80 proof. It opens with wonderful floral aromas highlighted with toffee and caramel. The incredible flavors of honey nougat and spice never seem to end. This is the best new whiskey that I have tasted this year. It deserves to be served neat or over ice, but not in your Irish coffee.
Bruce May is a McCandless-based free-lance wine writer. Write to him c/o Tastings/Food, Post-Gazette, 34 Blvd. of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
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