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These Reds shine on diamond and in bottle
Friday, March 28, 2008
These wines might just bring a whole new meaning to the phrase "Cincinnati Reds."
Actually, they're California reds (and a white), and they're being released sometime later this spring by current, future and past Reds stars Ken Griffey Jr., Homer Bailey and Barry Larkin, through a Boston-based company called Charity Hop Sports Consulting (www.charityhop.com).
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Company officials say the players themselves "do not profit a single dime" from the wine sales. Instead, all of the proceeds go to charities of the player's choice.
Griffey's "Junior Cabernet," for example, benefits the Ken Griffey Jr. Family Foundation, a fund that supports several causes, including the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Seattle Children's Hospital and Florida Children's Hospital. Bailey's "Homer Chardonnay" benefits Outdoors Without Limits, an outdoor recreational activities outreach program for people with disabilities. Larkin's "B-Lark Merlot" benefits the Champions Sports Foundation.
Griffey also will release a "600 Home Run Club" vintage that is described as a premium Napa cabernet with production limited to 600 bottles (price has yet to be determined, but it's a safe bet it won't be $13 a bottle ). The wine's release will be timed to coincide with Griffey reaching that milestone; he will start the season with 593 career homers.
The wines are produced by winemaker Susie Selby of Selby Winery in Healdsburg, Calif., and will retail for about $13, the Charity Hop Sports officials say. They should hit the shelves in May or June.
Right about the time the Reds will move into first place — right?
• The sad news of the sudden passing of Doug Simon hit the local wine community, and the local music community, hard. Simon, 58, died unexpectedly Monday, March 24.
The Harrison Twp. resident served as corporate sales manager for Arrow Wine & Spirits and worked in Arrow's Kettering store. He was co-founder of Fairfield Wine in Beavercreek and also worked at Jay's Kitchen Door wine shop. A guitarist, Simon was a frequent performer at Dayton restaurants and nightclubs, and at the annual Fleurs de Fete wine-and-food event. He first made his mark in the late 1960s and '70s on Dayton's jazz-funk scene, recording for Capitol Records with the funk group Dayton.
News of Doug's death prompted an outpouring of condolences and tribute comments on Uncorked (www.daytondailynews.com/wineblog) earlier this week. Reader Joe Koch was among those who posted a comment:
"I don't think Doug could be described better than that — 'consummately professional and totally cool.' And I never felt more welcomed to wine than by Doug's warm, authentic spirit when I'd approach him for advice."
Reader Doug Lehrer added:
"Doug had a unique brand of charisma that asserted itself whether he was leading conversation or not. He was unfailingly thoughtful of those around him and treated everyone most kindly."
Arrow will likely hold some type of memorial tasting, but no date has been set.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2258 or mfisher@DaytonDailyNews.com.
