Retired NBA star and Chinese sports sensation Yao Ming is one of a rapidly growing number of enophiles in his home country, where French wines are in vogue. But Yao developed his taste for wine in the United States, so his drinking habits have tended to favor Napa Cabernets instead. Now, after two years of working with winemaker Tom Hinde (formerly of Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates), the 7′ 6″ former Houston Rockets center has unveiled a Napa Cabernet of his own under the Yao Family Wines label, with 2009 as the first vintage of the Yao Ming Napa Valley Cabernet. Last month, he released the wine in China and says it has been “very well-received” so far. Wine Spectator caught up with him shortly after. Read the rest of this entry »
