The fate of the "Wine Trader," a Carson City magazine, is in question after the death of publisher Jerry Mead.
Callers to the magazine's photo number are greeted by the message:
"Because of the death of Jerry Mead, the offices are closed at this time. Please do not leave a message, as we do not have the staff to return your many calls. If you placed an order and have not received it we will process your order or return your funds."
Mead 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.
A memorial is developing on the bulletin board of www.wines.com, where news of Mead's death was first posted.
"You could not be in his presence for more than a few minutes without laughing like crazy and swearing like a sailor at him, and he would do the same back to you, but no political or wine tasting or philosophical disagreement ever lasted longer than a few seconds and then you would be off on another subject, another wine, another topic," posted Charlie Olken of the Connecticut Guide to California Wine. "We will not see his like soon again. And we have lost a valuable ally, and remarkable friend."
