Jerry Mead's Status

[EPICURUS]

So this buzzard is really a cat. But hasn't he already reached his nine life quota? I guess not. Maybe St. Peter saw Curmie getting ready to approach the great vineyard in the sky and decided he didn't want any harangues for awhile longer. And Satan didn't need any more heat...

Bucko, what about some of Jerry's kids getting together, online probably, and figuring out the best forum for creating the Jerry Mead Award, with JM himself receiving the first statuette. The are many precedents for this. One particular example comes to mind. Last fall, The National Building Museum in Washington announced a new award to honor the people who encourage us to think about urban design through scholarship and criticism. The award is named for its first winner, Vincent Scully. The renowned architectural historian has taught at Yale University for over 50 years.

Now Mr. Mead would be the first one to guffaw about any comparisons to the erudite Prof. Scully, but there is a parallel. No other person in the wine industry has forced us to think about the world of wine through journalistic criticism and such related activities as international wine competitions. Like Mr. Scully in the area of the built environment, Mr. Mead has been a singular advocate for advancing the cause of wine consumer choice and sensible regulation. The annual Jerry Mead Prize would be given to an individual who has made a major contribution to making wine a larger part of the American diet. The Gallos, Mondavis, etc. get tons of awards. While JM is in recovery some sort of recognition should be bestowed on this crusty but lovable old coot who has done so much over the last three decades for the everyday wine drinker.

Perhaps, Jerry would prefer to have the prize named after his mentor Leon Adams, but Jerry should still be the first recipient. The Spectator has its Grand Award, and even the Lodi vintners association has an award for integrity (Patrick Campbell was the first recipient, and they just gave out the second award, so we probably shouldn't wait for the third annual).

Jerry has probably bummed out a lot of people with his warm and fuzzy manner, but no matter. The politics may prevent entities like the new Napa Center Wine, Food and Art from being the sponsoring organization, though I wouldn't rule them out. Maybe the Society of Wine Educators could create the prize (they next meet in San Jose in August). Or the Wine Institute or the American Vintners Association which, unfortunately for this purpose, is holding their annual banquet in Washington DC as I write this.

Anyway, some group of AOLers and Wines.com regulars, together with the guys and gals who serve as judges in the NWIWC, could convene to move on this. Alot of people from the industry are assembling this weekend for the Rhone Rangers gathering.

What thinkest thou?

[This message has been edited by EPICURUS (edited 03-20-2000).]

[This message has been edited by EPICURUS (edited 03-20-2000).]