The Tasting Panel magazine

INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT Edible Schoolyard Fundraiser F IN PASSING Monterey County's Wrath Winery recently participated in Alice Water's Edible Schoolyard's Fall Harvest Dinner in New York. Pictured is actor Jake Gyllenhaal with Wrath owner Michael Thomas. ashion designer Lela Rose, clothing designer Beth Blake and gallery owner David Maupin hosted a fundraising dinner created by James Beard Award–winning chef Gabrielle Hamilton of New York's Prune restaurant. All proceeds ben- efi ted Edible Schoolyard NYC (ESYNYC), a nonprofi t organiza- tion committed to integrating gardening and cooking into schools' curriculum. Wines were provided by California's highly- acclaimed Wrath, a Santa Lucia Highlands winery launched in 2007 by archaeologist (and New York resident) Michael Thomas. Guests included prominent New York designers and artists, as well as actor Jake Gyllenhaal, a strong supporter of ESYNYC. Visit www.esynyc.org. Hospice du Rhône 20th Anniversary H ospice du Rhône, the world's larg- est gathering of Rhône-style wines is celebrating 20 years April 26–28, 2012 in Paso Robles, California. Guests will delve into this milestone year with seminar presenters from Australia, France, Spain and Washington State. The 20th year will also introduce the new Friday BIG Rhône Rendezvous, where more than 100 producers from near and far will share their wines from large-format bottles. At the Saturday Grand Tasting, sponsored by THE TASTING PANEL Magazine, over 130 winemakers pour wines from around the globe. For more info and tickets, go to www.hospicedurhone.org. Brand Action to Manage Online for Wines of Chile Wines of Chile has named Brand Action Team to manage a new online advertising program targeted to infl uencers and gatekeepers in the wine industry. "We are confi dent that Wines of Chile will see a positive increase from Brand Action Team's credibility, expertise and track record," says Lori Tieszen, Executive Director of Wines of Chile USA. The program will focus on increasing brand awareness of the distinct and premium quality of Chilean wines in the on-trade sector in four core markets: the New York metro area, the District of Columbia, San Francisco and Chicago. For more info visit www.TheBrandActionTeam.com. 12 / the tasting panel / january/february 2012 Robert Lawrence Balzer O n December 1, the American wine world lost one of its most enduring pioneers when Robert Lawrence Balzer died at the age of 99. All of us who write or read about wine have been touched by his remarkable career. Bob Balzer, who had been a wine merchant, an actor, an Army pilot, a restaurateur and a Buddhist monk, was best known as one of the fi rst Americans to write about wine. His initial wine column appeared in 1937, four years after the repeal of Prohibition. From 1964 to 1995 he wrote a weekly column on wine for The Los Angeles Times, starting well before Americans began taking wine seriously. He never treated wine in the elitist style that become common among the generation of wine "experts" who followed him into wine journalism. Nineteen years ago I had the honor of host- ing Bob Balzer's 80th birthday party and, as at any event he attended, Bob was charming and voluble, brimming over with anecdotes, amusing remembrances and good cheer. He never took himself too seriously, and as a result Bob Balzer introduced many—myself included—to a pleasurable, easy-going way to appreciate wine. Thanks, Bob, for all you've done. —Anthony Dias Blue Marty Petersil M arty Petersil passed away on December 9 after a long illness. Petersil purchased The Flask wine and spirits store in Studio City, CA in 1962 with his parents and his brother Chuck. His brother-in-law, Ray Wolkoff, soon joined in the business. The Flask was sold in 2004 due to Petersil's declining health. He was one of the founding co-chairs of "A Culinary Evening with the California Winemasters." Wine donations may be made in his name for the next Winemasters event in May. PHOTO: TOM ZASADZINSKI PHOTO: AMY SUSSMAN

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