WPSU uncorks new event

By Stephanie Koons

Wine consumers generally fall into one of two categories: tasters and drinkers. Tasters can detect subtleties in flavors of a wine and know how it was made while drinkers imbibe without analyzing. No matter which category one falls into, there are always more wines to taste and knowledge to be gained.

Penn State Public Broadcasting invites wine connoisseurs and casual drinkers to its inaugural WPSU Wine Celebration. WPSU hopes to draw more than 300 attendees and raise at least $20,000, said Nancy Silvis, co-chair of the Wine Celebration and a member of the WPSU board of representatives.

“I encourage people to take part in an opportunity that has never been available in this area on this scale,” she said.

Guests will be able to sample from 30 wine-tasting stations featuring wines from all over the world, including the U.S., France, Germany, Italy, South America and Australia. Representatives from wineries and distributors in Pennsylvania and other East Coast states will be on hand to pour the wines and provide information. Members of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board will be available to instruct attendees on purchasing special-order wines through the state store system.

“It’s the perfect event for someone who’s intimidated by wine,” said Bruce Pincus, wine coordinator of the event along with Ted Liberti, Silvis’ co-chair for the Wine Celebration.

With more than 150 wines being offered, said Greg Petersen, director of programming services and station manager at WPSU, the Wine Celebration will be the largest wine-tasting event ever held in central Pennsylvania.

“You’re probably going to find something there that really suits your palate,” he said.

Pincus said the selection will include “all familiar domestic wines,” burgundies from France, shiraz from Australia, as well as sparkling wines, ports and many other varieties.

“Every country that is a wine-making country will be represented at this festival,” he said.

Although there are certain standards in judging wine, he said, it is ultimately a subjective experience. It doesn’t matter whether a bottle of wine costs $5 or $50, he added.

“If you like the wine, it’s a good wine,” Pincus said.

The Wine Celebration is patterned after a wine-tasting fundraiser that has been held by a public station affiliated with the University of Florida for about 20 years, Petersen said. He and his wife attended the event last summer, and he “just started to think about how great (a similar event) would be here in central Pennsylvania.” An advantage that Pennsylvania has over Florida, he added, is having many more wineries.

Silvis said she hopes the Wine Celebration will help offset expected cuts in state funding for public broadcasting, which have forced WPSU to lay off employees and cancel popular programs such as “Scholastic Scrimmage.”

“It’s just one more event to keep public broadcasting afloat,” she said.

Pincus said he envisions the Wine Celebration growing to be one of the largest in the state.

Upon entering the Wine Celebration, Silvis said, guests will be given an etched wine glass they will use throughout the evening. They also will be handed a program listing the wines. Light refreshments including cheese, bread and chocolate will be available.

The event also will include silent and live auctions of wine-related items donated by individuals, friends of the station and wine importers.

The primary goal of the Wine Celebration, Pincus said, is to educate people about wine, not exclude them based on their lack of experience.

“It’s an event to come and learn the story behind the wines,” he said.