"Wine has been with us since the beginning of civilization. It is the temperate, civilized, sacred, romantic mealtime beverage recommended in the bible. Wine has been praised for centuries by statesmen, philosophers, poets, and scholars. Wine in moderation is an integral part of our culture, heritage, and gracious way of life."
The above statement appeared on some wine bottles in 1989 and 1990. The late Robert Mondavi created the declaration as part of his "mission statement," and it was the heart of his attempt to validate table wine as a moderate beverage that benefited people when consumed moderately.
The federal government initially approved the statement for use on wine bottles in 1988. Mondavi used the line until 1990, when the Department of the Treasury division that oversaw alcoholic beverages said it would no longer allow the statement to be used.
Updated: Tue Dec 17, 2024