This day, May 16, 2008, marks the passing of a giant in the wine world. Robert Mondavi, possibly the most influencial and important wine maker in United States history, is dead at 94.
Mondavi helped transform how we view California wines, most notably those of the Napa Valley by not only working to improve the quality of California wines but also with aggressive marketing. Mondavi wanted the world to view his wines (and by extension, California wines in general) as equal to the great wines of Europe.
This evening, I'll be raising a glass of Mondavi to Mondavi.
For an in-depth tribute to Mondavi, check out this article from the Wine Spectator.
