"Robert Lawrence Balzer, a wine critic and educator who wrote an influential column in The Times for three decades during a career that stretched from the post-Prohibition era through the explosion of the California wine industry he championed, has died. He was 99.
Balzer, who had also been a wine merchant, an actor, a Buddhist monk and a restaurateur, died of natural causes Dec. 1 in Orange, said his nephew, Rex Shannon.
Known for his erudition and flamboyant personality, Balzer wrote a wine column for the newspaper from 1964 to 1995. He was also the author of a dozen books, including "Balzer's Book of Wines and Spirits" (1973) and "Wines of California" (1978).
For 14 years beginning in 1970, he produced one of the first subscription-based wine guides, Robert Lawrence Balzer's Private Guide to Food & Wine. It was well established years before Robert M. Parker Jr., now the world's best-known wine critic, launched his popular newsletter and 100-point rating system."
Balzer, who had also been a wine merchant, an actor, a Buddhist monk and a restaurateur, died of natural causes Dec. 1 in Orange, said his nephew, Rex Shannon.
Known for his erudition and flamboyant personality, Balzer wrote a wine column for the newspaper from 1964 to 1995. He was also the author of a dozen books, including "Balzer's Book of Wines and Spirits" (1973) and "Wines of California" (1978).
For 14 years beginning in 1970, he produced one of the first subscription-based wine guides, Robert Lawrence Balzer's Private Guide to Food & Wine. It was well established years before Robert M. Parker Jr., now the world's best-known wine critic, launched his popular newsletter and 100-point rating system."
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