Eric Asimov
Encyclopedia
Eric Asimov is an American wine
critic for The New York Times
, with articles subsequently published in the International Herald Tribune
.
, and Ruth Asimov, a ceramic artist. He is a nephew of the late author Isaac Asimov
.
Asimov attended Wesleyan University
, graduating in 1980. He did graduate work in American studies at the University of Texas at Austin
. Asimov married fellow Wesleyan graduate Jackalyn Lee in 1989; the couple later divorced. Asimov has been married to Deborah Hofmann, editor of the New York Times Best Seller List since 2001.
In 1992, Asimov conceived and wrote the "$25 and Under" column, dedicated to "restaurants where people can eat lavishly for $25 and under. For that price, you should be able to get a complete meal: appetizer, main course, and dessert. Beverages, tax, and tip are not included in the calculation." After several years of penning the column, however, the term "$25 and under" became less literal and more suggestive of inexpensive. Until 1997, the column appeared in the Weekend Section. It then moved to Wednesdays in the "Dining In, Dining Out" section. The popularity of his reviews and articles led to Asimov's yearly compilation books of the $25 and Under columns, published from 1995 to 1998 by HarperCollins
.
From 2000 to 2004, Eric Asimov co-authored the annual New York Times Guide to Restaurants in New York City with Ruth Reichl
and William Grimes
.
Asimov was given the new position of Chief Wine Critic of The New York Times in 2004, and the "$25 and Under" column was assigned to other critics while Frank J. Prial
, the paper's wine critic for over 30 years, continued his "Wine Talk" column until retirement in 2005.
Asimov had been writing about wine since 1999. As Chief Wine Critic, he writes two columns, "The Pour" and "Wines of the Times" (or, as it may be, "Beers of the Times"), both of which appear in the paper on an alternating bi-weekly schedule. In March 2006, Asimov began writing a wine blog
, also titled "The Pour".
Asimov has also done freelance work for other publications, including Food & Wine Magazine
, Details, Martha Stewart Living
and Sommelier Journal
.
for which he critiqued food and wine. Since becoming Chief Wine Critic in 2004, he reduced his time on WQXR to a weekly spot on wine.
Wine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage, made of fermented fruit juice, usually from grapes. The natural chemical balance of grapes lets them ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes, or other nutrients. Grape wine is produced by fermenting crushed grapes using various types of yeast. Yeast...
critic for The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, with articles subsequently published in the International Herald Tribune
International Herald Tribune
The International Herald Tribune is a widely read English language international newspaper. It combines the resources of its own correspondents with those of The New York Times and is printed at 38 sites throughout the world, for sale in more than 160 countries and territories...
.
Biography
Asimov was born in Bethpage, New York. He is the son of Stanley Asimov, former vice president for editorial administration at NewsdayNewsday
Newsday is a daily American newspaper that primarily serves Nassau and Suffolk counties and the New York City borough of Queens on Long Island, although it is sold throughout the New York metropolitan area...
, and Ruth Asimov, a ceramic artist. He is a nephew of the late author Isaac Asimov
Isaac Asimov
Isaac Asimov was an American author and professor of biochemistry at Boston University, best known for his works of science fiction and for his popular science books. Asimov was one of the most prolific writers of all time, having written or edited more than 500 books and an estimated 90,000...
.
Asimov attended Wesleyan University
Wesleyan University
Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts college founded in 1831 and located in Middletown, Connecticut. According to the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, Wesleyan is the only Baccalaureate College in the nation that emphasizes undergraduate instruction in the arts and...
, graduating in 1980. He did graduate work in American studies at the University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
. Asimov married fellow Wesleyan graduate Jackalyn Lee in 1989; the couple later divorced. Asimov has been married to Deborah Hofmann, editor of the New York Times Best Seller List since 2001.
The New York Times
Having previously worked for The Chicago Sun-Times, Eric Asimov began working for The New York Times in 1984, as an editor in National News. From 1991 to 1994, he was the editor of the Living Section and, from 1994 to 1995, he edited the Styles of The Times section.In 1992, Asimov conceived and wrote the "$25 and Under" column, dedicated to "restaurants where people can eat lavishly for $25 and under. For that price, you should be able to get a complete meal: appetizer, main course, and dessert. Beverages, tax, and tip are not included in the calculation." After several years of penning the column, however, the term "$25 and under" became less literal and more suggestive of inexpensive. Until 1997, the column appeared in the Weekend Section. It then moved to Wednesdays in the "Dining In, Dining Out" section. The popularity of his reviews and articles led to Asimov's yearly compilation books of the $25 and Under columns, published from 1995 to 1998 by HarperCollins
HarperCollins
HarperCollins is a publishing company owned by News Corporation. It is the combination of the publishers William Collins, Sons and Co Ltd, a British company, and Harper & Row, an American company, itself the result of an earlier merger of Harper & Brothers and Row, Peterson & Company. The worldwide...
.
From 2000 to 2004, Eric Asimov co-authored the annual New York Times Guide to Restaurants in New York City with Ruth Reichl
Ruth Reichl
Ruth Reichl - pronounced RYE-chil - is an American food writer, co-producer of PBS's Gourmet's Diary of a Foodie, culinary editor for the Modern Library, host of PBS's Gourmet's Adventures With Ruth, and the last editor-in-chief of the now shuttered Gourmet magazine...
and William Grimes
William Grimes (author)
William 'Biff' Grimes is a former magazine writer, culture reporter, theater columnist, restaurant critic, book reviewer and a current obituary writer for The New York Times...
.
Asimov was given the new position of Chief Wine Critic of The New York Times in 2004, and the "$25 and Under" column was assigned to other critics while Frank J. Prial
Frank J. Prial
Frank J. Prial, who graduated from Georgetown University in 1951, was the wine columnist for The New York Times for 25 years, writing the weekly "Wine Talk" column since 1972 until his retirement in 2005....
, the paper's wine critic for over 30 years, continued his "Wine Talk" column until retirement in 2005.
Asimov had been writing about wine since 1999. As Chief Wine Critic, he writes two columns, "The Pour" and "Wines of the Times" (or, as it may be, "Beers of the Times"), both of which appear in the paper on an alternating bi-weekly schedule. In March 2006, Asimov began writing a wine blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
, also titled "The Pour".
Asimov has also done freelance work for other publications, including Food & Wine Magazine
Food & Wine Magazine
Food & Wine is a monthly magazine published by American Express Publishing. It was founded in 1978 by Ariane and Michael Batterberry. It features recipes, cooking tips, travel information, restaurant reviews, chefs, wine pairings and seasonal/holiday content and has been credited by The New York...
, Details, Martha Stewart Living
Martha Stewart Living
Martha Stewart Living is a magazine and a television show featuring entertaining and home decorating guru Martha Stewart. Both the magazine and the television program focus on the domestic arts. Martha Stewart Living began as a quarterly magazine in 1990, published by Time Inc..and is currently...
and Sommelier Journal
Sommelier Journal
Sommelier Journal is a subscription-based magazine publication, founded in 2008 for sommeliers and others in the restaurant and wine business. The magazine summarizes consumer, restaurant, and wine trends and news for wine professionals.-History:...
.
Radio
Between 1999 and 2004, Asimov had a daily spot on the New York Times-owned radio station WQXRWQXR-FM
WQXR-FM is an American classical radio station licensed to Newark, New Jersey, and serving the New York City metropolitan area. It is the most-listened-to classical-music station in the United States, with an average quarter-hour audience of 63,000...
for which he critiqued food and wine. Since becoming Chief Wine Critic in 2004, he reduced his time on WQXR to a weekly spot on wine.