Winemakers compete, and tasters win

Winemaking has been in many families.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
LOWELLVILLE -- "Wine is the best thing for your health. I'm 88 years old, and I'm in pretty damn good shape," said John DePasquale of Lowellville.
DePasquale, who says he drinks a glass of wine at supper, was one of 27 winemakers who entered the Lowellville Mount Carmel Society's second annual wine-tasting competition Saturday night.
Family tradition was the reason several of the winemakers gave for participating in the hobby.
DePasquale started making wine as a kid in 1938 with his uncle, John Verado of Struthers. His entry was a red wine made from five types of California grapes.
Frank Speziale of Struthers said his cousin, Lowellville Mayor Jim Iudiciani, got him back into winemaking about five years ago. But, he said, he got his start making wine with his grandfather, Frank Pitzulo, and he has been drinking wine since he was a kid.
"My grandfather used to say wine is to be drunk slowly and enjoyed. I enjoy the taste and sharing with my friends and family," Speziale said.
First-time entrants
Ted and Maryann Mileski, who recently moved to Negley from the Pittsburgh area, were first-time entrants in a wine competition.
Though they have been making wine for only two years, Mileski, a registered nurse at Kindred Hospital in Beaver, Pa., said it's "in his blood."
"My grandfather used to make wine," he added. His wife is a speech pathologist at East Liverpool City Hospital.
The Mileskis said their goal is to see if they can make wine that is better than what they can buy.
Phil Clacko's entry was a mixed red wine with 2/3 red zinfandel and 1/3 white muscatel.
Clacko, retired Campbell High School principal, made wine with his father, John, and grandfather, Phillip Gentile, when he was a kid, but then got away from it before starting up again about five years ago.
"As a kid, my job was to crank the press and squeeze the grapes. Our basement smelled of grapes and had a lot of fruit flies," said Clacko, who makes a 55-gallon barrel of wine each year to share with family and friends.
"My job is to drink the wine," said Clacko's wife, Dianne, who is a secretary for the Youngstown Demolition Department.
Networking
The wine-tasting competition also is a chance for winemakers to mingle and perhaps pick up a pointer or two from one another, said Donald B. D'Onofrio, Mount Carmel Society president.
Two awards were presented Saturday: The People's Choice, chosen by the winemakers and the people who attended the event; and those chosen by Joseph Zajac, Superior Beverage's wine specialist for Ohio.
The People's Choice first- and second-place awards went to Shawn and Ryan James of Lowellville for the red, and Iudiciani for the white.
The first- and second-place winners picked by Zajac were Dan Yemma and Joe Larubbio, both of Struthers, for the red, and for the white, Jack Frank of Coitsville.
Event proceeds benefit Mount Carmel projects such as upkeep of the building and a scholarship program.
The society, founded in 1895, also sponsors the annual four-day Feast of the Lady of Mount Carmel in July, D'Onofrio said. Iudiciani was chairman of the wine-tasting event.
alcorn@vindy.com