Click to download a pdf file about the Wine-tertainment from Phill

Some welcoming words from the Wine-osaur

The Birth of the "Wine-osaur"

More about the Wine-osaur this way

What ho old loves ....

A native of London, England, Phillip Silverstone has lived in the Philadelphia area since 1977 and maintains close ties with the leading figures in the wine and food world on many continents. From 1981 until 1995 Phillip was president of a wine import company in the U.S. and during this period he sourced, imported, marketed and distributed limited production wines from around the world, specialising in German and Australian selections.

Phillip's promotion and marketing background (fashion and advertising industry during London's Swinging 60's) once again surfaced stateside when he became involved with Pan Am's onboard wine tastings above the Atlantic. Phillip then introduced "Tastings in the Sky" in-flight wine and food programs for Virgin Atlantic Airways. Passengers in first class (Virgin's "Upper Class") travelling between London and New York were entertained by celebrities from the wine & food world while crossing the Atlantic. This was an overwhelming success and received praise by wine and travel publications on both

sides of the "pond".

In the mid 1990's, Silverstone launched his high profile media career and emerged as one of the region's leading wine event promoters working with a variety of personalities including wine authors Robert Parker and Hugh Johnson, lifestyle guru Robin Leach, and TV chefs Emeril Lagasse and Graham Kerr.

In the latter part of the 1990's Phillip realised many of his lifelong ambitions, reached circuitously through the world of wine and food. He became a syndicated TV and radio wine commentator, author and columnist, writing and hosting his award winning radio features "Wining About The Good Life"; and his twice Emmy nominated PBS TV vignettes "One On Wine with Phillip Silverstone". Phillip's column "Wining About The Good Life" is published in weekly and monthly trade and consumer publications, and his book "Cheers! The World of a Wine-osaur" is published by Camino, Philadelphia.

Phillip selects two wines each month for the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (the PLCB is the single largest procurer of alcoholic beverages in the world) which appear in his Best of the Bunch displays in wine shops throughout the state.

Phillip is seen every week nationally on Public Television's top rated series "Christina Cooks" now broadcast in 200 cities around the US (and in 50 countries in south and central America and the Caribbean). Phillip is heard on "Time Out For Fine Wine" every weekday at 3pm on Philadelphia's classical radio station WRTI 90.1 FM.

He is a wine consultant and lecturer, frequently hosting what he calls "Wine-tertainment gigs", and he organises wine and food events for hotels and restaurants. He has been featured on CNN and appears frequently on the hugely popular national cable TV station "The Food Network" Thanks to his dry British sense of

humour, the London born Silverstone is this country's first multi-humour,ine/lifestyle personality. Phillip's philosophy is refreshingly simple and unique. As a twenty year veteran of the grape he has become a conduit to the world of wine for anyone intimidated by the subject. His anecdotes, short stories, outspoken opinions and practical "unstuffy" tips are aimed at anyone who enjoys a light hearted approach to an often dull topic.

Phillip's "quirky" commentaries and interviews are linked by a thread of humour and irreverence, presenting his subject in an entertaining and interesting format that whets the audience's appetite leaving them "thirsting" for more.

As some of you dear "Wine-osaurs" may know, I'm not terribly interested in the elitism of vino, or in the snobbishness that lurks in the darkest depths of the wine world's psyche. I'm here to relieve you of all that stuffiness, to dust down the cobwebs of confusion and to make the world of wine a fun and exhilarating place.

If you really want to see a grown man rip off his bow tie in despair, just quote to me from wine critics. Never, ever tell me how much a wine critic's convoluted rating system influenced your wine buying decisions. Not only will I immerse you into a vat of pickled tomatoes up to your ear lobes, I'll also sing the opening number to the "Sound of Music" - and I ain't no Julie Andrews old bean! As far as I'm concerned, wine critics have no redeeming qualities unless

you consider the ruination of a winemaker's entire livelihood an endearing characteristic. Don't let anyone dictate your drinking habits or spend your money for you - that's the exclusive privilege of spouses!

Which leads me to another interesting Silverstone observation. Wine-upmanship seems to hit men during their middle years, you know, when they trade in the sensible five door car for a two seater convertible in go-faster colours. And let's not forget the price tag syndrome. If it costs a lot, and was produced in France, it's replacing the Rodin in the living room. That's absolute gobbledygook. Wine isn't made to display it's made to drink. And the quality of a wine isn't determined by it's price tag, never has been and never will be.

I make it a habit never to spend more than $15 on a bottle of wine (retail). Now, I didn't say I wouldn't drink anything more expensive, because I will, but only if someone else is buying! You can find some really excellent nectar from Bacchus well within this price range and there isn't a cork sniffer around who could prove to me their $150 bottles are any superior to these more affordable varieties.

So "which is the best bottle of wine to pour?" That's easy...the one you most enjoy drinking. Regardless of its price or its place in society, if you love it, that's the one for you.

Don't be intimidated by wine and always buy what your bank balance can support ...not your ego. Cheers!

Phillip gets straightened out by Christina Pirello during the filming of "Christina Cooks"

Click on his bow tie to see some of his recent events, celebs and famous faces

Phillip chats with Julia Child

To contact Phill regarding Personal Appearances or Wine-tertainment™ events please e-mail him at club@thesilverstonecollection.com

Buy Philip's irreverent book containing thoughts about wine, the wine-trade and life in general. Click on the link below.