OBITUARY: Anthony Dias Blue

Legendary wine, spirits and food critic Anthony Dias Blue passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Monday, December 25th. His love affair with wine began in 1978 when he moved his family to San Francisco. He would go on to be the founder and Executive Director of The Tasting Alliance, parent company of the San Francisco International Wine Competition, San Francisco World Spirits Competition, New York World Wine & Spirits Competition, and Singapore World Spirits Competition. During his career he was the West Coast Editor for Food & Wine Magazine, the Wine and Spirits Editor for Bon Appétit Magazine and the Northern California Zagat Guide Editor. In 2007, Blue partnered with The Tasting Panel‘s Publisher Meridith May to purchase 65-year old beverage trade publication Patterson’s Beverage Journal and rebrand it The Tasting Panel. Blue authored nine books, including The Complete Book of Mixed Drinks, The Complete Book of Spirits, and Thanksgiving Dinner and America’s Kitchen, written alongside his wife Kathryn Blue. He is survived by his wife, his four children and nine grandchildren.