Wine expert dead at 60

Friday, April 14, 2000 | 9:50 a.m.

Mead, who wrote a weekly column on wine and was editor of The Wine Trader Magazine. He died Wednesday of congestive heart failure after an extended illness.

Mead, who wrote the nationally syndicated column "Mead on Wine," had his own judging system that included not only quality but price. His goal as a wine critic, a friend said, was to help people find not only the best wine, but the best price.

Mead moved to Carson City in September 1992, partly to escape the high taxes and crowded freeways of Northern California, he said at the time of his relocation.

"Nevada offered a much more friendly business atmosphere," said companion Sandra McCown. "And we just loved Carson City. Actually, I loved Carson City. Jerry didn't care where he lived as long as he could write.

"He was well-loved and well-respected as a wine authority in the industry," McCown said. "He answered the telephone, 'Wine!' Everybody knew that was him. He felt wine should be freely available to those legally old enough to have it. He believed in moderation eat well and drink your wine with dinner."

In addition to McCown, Mead is survived by sons Sean Mead and Jerry Dion Mead, daughter Jeanne Smith, mother Mary Frances Boyd Mead, stepsons James Riederer Jr. and Thomas Riederer and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and step-grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are pending.