Mogan David Wine

Factual Questions
1

Upon a discussion with a friend about turn-of-the-century immigration of eastern europeans and their alleged taste for cheap, fortified wine, the name “Mogan David” came up.

At one time, maybe still, it was advertised as Kosher wine. In college, we just called it “Mad Dog,” as in “Mad Dog 20/20.” Which taste more like grape concentrate mixed with some grain alcohol.

Curious about this infamous wine, I have done a little research. But a Google search produced no “Mogan David” website, and little information beyond its association to bums and blues musicians. I did learn they have, or had, a winery somewhere in the state of New York. Earnest and Julio Gallo is also quite infamous for making “wino” wine, but they are much better known.

What is the current and past history of Mogan David?
Any good cites?

2

It helps if you spell it correctly–MogEn David. The Mogen David Wine corporation is located in upstate New York, in the Finger Lakes region. It is a kosher wine, and for many years was one of the few available to use duing Passover. Luckily for Jewish wine lovers, many wine makers have begun using Kosher processes to produce wine that tastes good.

http://www.nywine.com/winelocator/findwine.asp?m=1598&p=45&cwid=0

by the way, the name means “star of David”, and describes the the symbol you see on the flag of Israel (among other places).

3

A google search of Mogen David provided even fewer results. A couple of liquor stores, a congregation, and stuff. Nothing about what I was looking for.

Thanks for the correct spelling. Google even suggested trying “Magen David.”(?)