Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery

For some reason, the idea of Wayne Gretzky-branded wines has set the media's phasers on "pun". We've seen a bunch of headlines, ranging from "He Pours, He Scores" to "The Grape One" - we even percolated something about trying his wine on ice. We've decided to play it straight, however, and just say - introducing Wayne Gretzky Winery. If he's half as good at attaching his name to a wine as he was at that sport of his, we're pretty sure we're going to be in luck.

"We picked wine styles that best express Niagara's cool climate conditions and wines that we would be able to make year-in and year-out with consistent quality. " The first wines to wear No. 99 and the Wayne Gretzky Estates label are a 2006 unoaked Chardonnay and 2005 Meritage produced from vineyards in Niagara. A special bottling of Wayne Gretzky 2004 Family Reserve Merlot was done in 3-litre double magnums. Ninety-nine bottles were produced, the first and last bottle were presented to Gretzky during Tuesday's launch.

The Standard [via The Sporting Life]

Madonna Wine, Coming Straight Outta...Michigan?

Here's another wine that can be filed under "Not Quite in Our Price Range" (it can probably also be filed under "Family of Celebrity Trying to Cash In," but who're we to judge?) - Madonna has released her own wine. Well, actually, her dad has, and he's making it in the place everyone thinks of when they think wine - Michigan. Anyway, you too can get your hands on some for the low, low price range of $25 to $40 per bottle.

The Material Girl’s father, Tony Ciccone, recently decided to advance his winery business by releasing Madonna Wine, which is available in five varieties: Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Gewurztraminer, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay.

“Most of our wines are state-bottled wines,” Ciccone said. “We don’t try to make California wines or wines from France. We make wines that are Michigan wines.”

What does Michigan wine taste like anyway? Find out at the Madonna Store [via Battle Creek Enquirer]