Leon Adams
Encyclopedia
Leon Adams was an American journalist
, publicist
, historian and co-founder of the Wine Institute. In 1958, Adams book Commonsense Book of Wine was published, which sought to bring table wine
into everyday life in the United States. His book Wines of America, published in 1973, is considered the "most thorough work on the subject," specifically regarding the California wine
industry.
, and worked as a journalist for various publications, including McClatchy News Service and the San Francisco Bulletin. Adams advocated for farm winery laws which were passed in many states during the 1970s and 1980s. These laws helped grape growers open wineries and sell their wines through wholesale and retail. He founded the Society of Medical Friends of Wine, which brings together doctors for frequent wine tastings.
He worked in California and lived in Sausalito
. He died in San Francisco on September 12, 1995. The New York Times called him "the seminal wine historian in the United States in the 20th century,".
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
, publicist
Publicist
A publicist is a person whose job is to generate and manage publicity for a public figure, especially a celebrity, a business, or for a work such as a book, film or album...
, historian and co-founder of the Wine Institute. In 1958, Adams book Commonsense Book of Wine was published, which sought to bring table wine
Table wine
Table wine is a wine term with two different meanings: a wine style; and a quality level within wine classification.In the United States, table wine primarily designates a wine style - ordinary wine which is neither fortified nor sparkling....
into everyday life in the United States. His book Wines of America, published in 1973, is considered the "most thorough work on the subject," specifically regarding the California wine
California wine
California wine has a long and continuing history, and in the late twentieth century became recognized as producing some of the world's finest wine. While wine is made in all fifty U.S. states, up to 90% of American wine is produced in the state...
industry.
Life and work
Leon Adams was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1905. He studied at the University of California, BerkeleyUniversity of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
, and worked as a journalist for various publications, including McClatchy News Service and the San Francisco Bulletin. Adams advocated for farm winery laws which were passed in many states during the 1970s and 1980s. These laws helped grape growers open wineries and sell their wines through wholesale and retail. He founded the Society of Medical Friends of Wine, which brings together doctors for frequent wine tastings.
He worked in California and lived in Sausalito
Sausalito, California
Sausalito is a San Francisco Bay Area city, in Marin County, California, United States. Sausalito is south-southeast of San Rafael, at an elevation of 13 feet . The population was 7,061 as of the 2010 census. The community is situated near the northern end of the Golden Gate Bridge, and prior to...
. He died in San Francisco on September 12, 1995. The New York Times called him "the seminal wine historian in the United States in the 20th century,".