Wine Selection and Services Growing at PA Premium Stores
By: Kathy Brahan
Premium Collection Stores, formerly known as specialty wine stores in Pennsylvania, are becoming more popular across the region. While the heavily regulated state Liquor Control Board (LCB) is easy to malign, kudos should be given to its effort over the last 10 years to improve wine selection across the Commonwealth and expanding services and resources for oenophiles.
From aperitifs like Vermouth to dessert wines like Port—and anything in between—wine lovers can find some of the best reserve wines at affordable prices on the shelves of Pennsylvania State Liquor Stores. Monthly specials, combined with Chairman Selections, offer a broad range of options for any taste or at any budget.
Chairman’s Selections
Chairman’s Selections are high-quality wines from reliable vineyards. Leveraging its broad buying capacity, the state-run agency can offer Chairman’s Selections at “prices that are lowest in the country” with discounts ranging between 30 and 80 percent off recommended retail pricing. PA LCB is expanding its Chairman’s Selection program to meet ever-increasing consumer demand. Look for the special green signage at your Premium Collection Store to find available Chairman’s Selections and enjoy the bargains.
Important Contact Information for the Pennsylvania Wine Lover
Information on wine offerings through the PA LCB is somewhat scattered. The main website is www.lcb.state.pa.us. It provides real-time inventory, price comparisons, product search capabilities, and current and upcoming Chairman’s Selections. Additionally, a list of available Chairman Selections can be found at: www.finewinesandgoodspirits.com
People interested in joining a wine club or collectors of rare wines can find information on these offerings at: www.pawineandspirits.com
Finally, special orders can always be placed at: 1-800-332-PLCB (7522)
Resource List of Area Premium Collection Store
While there are hundreds of liquor stores in our region, only some are designated Premium Collection Stores. Here is a list of Premium Stores in the region:
One Oxford Centre
Pittsburgh—15222
412-565-7689
Water Works
Pittsburgh—15238
412-784-5800
Robinson Town Centre
Pittsburgh—15205
412-294-1570
Penn Circle South
Pittsburgh—15206
412-204-8002
McIntyre Square
Pittsburgh—15237
412-635-2180
Bill Green Shopping Center
Pittsburgh—15236
412-6508263
Perry Shops
Pittsburgh—15237
412-638-2184
Beaver Street
Sewickley—15143
412-749-4500
Monroeville Mall Boulevard
Monroeville—15146
412-380-2677
Village Square Mall
Bethel Park—15102
412-851-0403
Cranberry Mall
Cranberry—16066
724-776-0300
Westmoreland Crossing
Greensburg—15601
724-836-0475
Kathy Brahan is a marketing communications professional with more than 20 years of experience in corporate communications, public relations and journalism. She currently works at Philips Respironics and is the president of Kilobyte Communications.