As interest in food and drink continues to skyrocket, the phenomenon has kickstarted an unusual offshoot - extreme food and drink hobbies. How else to explain the explosion of celebrity-backed wine and spirits labels in recent years? It's not your everyday wine aficionado who has the kind of cash necessary for a wine label stashed away.
Legendary director Frances Ford Coppola may have been one of the first big show business names to get into winemaking (he purchased his first vineyard in 1975), but since then myriad other celebrities have taken up an interest.
This year alone has seen a remarkable number of celebrity-backed wine and spirits labels, from a tequila by rapper Xzhibit to Drew Barrymore's award-winning Pinot Grigio.
Fergi's Wine Line, Ferguson Crest
Earlier this year, Fergie announced a family wine label, Ferguson Crest, with her father, Pat Ferguson. The line includes several types of wine including a syrah, a cabernet and two viogniers. Oh, and a red blend called "Fergalicious."
Richard Gere's Tuscan Wine Label
Even Richard Gere is getting into the wine game. In May, news broke that the actor would launch his own line of Tuscan wines produced by Tenuta San Filippo di Montalcino. The first batch of Tuscan red wine will be a 2007 vintage called Bedford Post.
Drew Barrymore's Pinot Grigio
Hollywood actress Drew Barrymore released her first wine, Barrymore Pinot Grigio, earlier this year -and it's being received well. This summer, the vintage won a gold medal at the Le Challenge International du Vin in France.
Mike Ditka's Private-Label Wines
When we think Mike Ditka, wine isn't the first thing that comes to mind. But maybe it should; the legendary coach relaunched his line of private-label wines this year.
Leo Messi's Wine Range
European football star (that's soccer to Americans) Lionel Messi first foray into the wine world came early this year when Argentinian winery Bodega Valentin Bianchi named a wine after him.
Keyshawn Johnson Fine Wines Line
Former NFL wide receiver and current ESPN analyst Keyshawn Johnson unveiled his own wine label earlier this year. Orignally called KJ1, the wine's name was changed to XIX in recent months. Whatever it's called the 2007 Cabernet from Eastern Oregon hit stores this past fall.
Full list can be found at www.huffingtonpost.com
Let us know your thoughts should we have a celebrity section on our site? Would you buy because of the celebrity?
