Sir Nick Faldo Launches European Wine Collection

​Sir Nick Faldo MBE is one of Europe's finest golfers with 6 major championships and 11 Ryder Cup appearances. The former World Number 1 is the highest individual points scorer in Ryder Cup history. It is incredible to think that, as a 14 year old watching the 1971 Masters on his parents' new colour television, the young Nick Faldo had never even picked up a golf club. Within three years, he'd become a successful amateur and by the age of 20 had become the youngest ever player to qualify for the Ryder Cup. Thirty years later, with more than 40 tournament victories and a total of 98 weeks as the world's number one golfer, he's widely regarded as the most successful golfer that Britain has ever produced.

Sir Nick has also become a prolific success away from the course and is currently more involved with the business of golf than ever before. The list of companies and initiatives already under the Faldo golf umbrella include: world-renowned golf course design company, Faldo Design, currently involved with over 50 projects on six continents; the Faldo Series, one of the premier programmes for aspiring young golfers; and a number of other projects which Faldo plays an active role.

For his contributions and service to golf, Nick Faldo received a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II in November 2009. Sir Nick is the only living British golfer to receive such an honour.

Sir Nick has always had a passion for great wines and through the years, he's had the privilege to be exposed to many. He wanted to create a European range that encapsulated his love for the wines and regions that he's encountered over the years. The wines have been selected from some of the best vineyards across Europe, resulting in a range that is accessible, diverse and a reflection of his personality.

The Faldo Shield - the six stripes in claret and green represent his 6 Major Championships in the order of their win: Claret Jug, Green Jacket, Green, Claret, Green, Claret, Claret, Green. It is a golfer's story, a piece of history, a celebration of championship moments and the winner who created them. We're delighted that Sir Nick has worked with us to launch his own wine collection of two white wines and four red wines from some of Europe's finest wine regions.

THE WHITES

Faldo Sauvignon de Touraine, Domaine Renaudie, Loire France: Less tropical than a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc but packed with powerful fruit oozing Loire elegance. This is a benchmark Sauvignon Blanc very similar in style to Sancerre. Nervous, lean acidities perfectly balanced with restrained grassy notes and elderflower.

Faldo Chablis, Domaine Brocard, Burgundy, France: Elegant aromas, almost delicate on the nose, fuller on the palate with some richness of fruit coating the mouth. Leads to a finish with a wonderful piercing edginess and almost nervous character that is both delicate yet persistent.

THE REDS

Faldo Chateauneuf du Pape, Domaine Berthet-Rayne, Rhone, France: Full ruby with fresh boysenberry and cassis on the nose. Broad, sappy and concentrated with ripe dark fruits and floral pastilles.

Faldo Valpolicella Ripasso, Le Tobele Italy: Chocolate and black cherry fruit with hints of raisins on the nose. Medium-full bodied and offering dried fruit, spice, and a sweet core. Dry and fruity on the finish.

Faldo Rioja, Bodegas Baigorri, Spain: Deep cherry-red wine with plenty of depth and aromas of black fruit compote with notes of spice. It is elegant, smooth and silky in the mouth and has a long warm finish.

Faldo Barolo Bussia Monti, Piedmont, Italy: This is the flagship wine of the collection and has great depth and complexity of Autumnal fruits, underlying leather and richness of fruit. Not overly tannic but with wonderful balance.