James Harden wine is latest NBA player with partnership

Dwyane Wade has Wade Cellars, Carmelo Anthony has a Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and now James Harden has a California cabernet sauvignon. The Sixers star is the latest within the NBA to dabble within the wine enterprise, launching a label being marketed as “an affordable way to drink like a baller.”

As a maladjusted Sixers fan, I used to be immediately influenced. I purchased a case of the cab-sauv for particular events and on the excellent time, too — the bottles, solely accessible on-line, have offered out for now.

The 2021 classic retails beneath $20 a bottle earlier than transport — that’s 4 citywide specials at Bob and Barbara’s per Harden bottle however nonetheless manageable. The wine’s worth level is not imagined to be unique, in accordance with an editor’s word shared on Vivino, the web market carrying the Harden collaboration with Jam Shed.

Loved ones tried to get me to mood my expectations for the wine like they do with the Sixers. The wine may very well be unhealthy, they mentioned! But there’s no reasoning with Sixers optimists. This is the staff’s season and Harden’s wine will circulate from each cup on Broad Street once we maintain the long-awaited victory parade.

Besides, hoopers know wine. The relationship between NBA stars and vino has garnered protection in ESPN and Wine Spectator since a 2015 photograph of LeBron James, Wade, Chris Paul, and Camelo Anthony drinking wine while on vacation went viral. The photograph peppered a touch of cool on the wine business and piqued the curiosity of various demographics.

“The business of wine has absolutely been very exclusive both on the production side and I would say also on sort of the consumption side in terms of who it is marketed to,” mentioned Dave Rudman, government director of nonprofit Wine & Spirit Education Trust Americas.

Rudman mentioned previous business efforts to market to broader and extra various audiences weren’t good. Just by ingesting and appreciating wine so publicly, NBA stars have modified the notion of who wine is for, mentioned Rudman. Granted, the common fan most likely can’t have hundreds of bottles of their favorite wine in storage like former Sixer Jimmy Butler.

Still, Wade partnered with a well-known Napa Valley vineyard in 2014 and has been outspoken about efforts to “change the common misconception of wine as pretentious.”

Harden has said related targets.

“I have always seen the wine industry as a closed-door environment…my goal is to make a high-quality product that can be enjoyed by the masses at a reasonable price,” Harden mentioned in a press release.

I put his dedication to the check.

For starters, the Harden cabernet sauvignon comes with enjoyable labeling, not a shock for a person recognized for his style sense. A silhouette of his face and iconic beard are unmistakable and crammed in with a enjoyable crimson and blue floral sample. Overall, the bottle seems to be enjoyable.

As for the precise wine, it wasn’t the worst — I bullied a number of Inquirer reporters into making an attempt it with me — and was typically well-received at dinners I crashed with a bottle. It’s as clean because it claims to be with no surprises and in that sense, Harden succeeded in making an accessible wine.

At 13.5% alcohol by quantity, the wine doesn’t really feel thick or heavy when swishing in your mouth.

I bought ripe black cherries and slight oak with medium tannin, and a clean, brief end. You may undoubtedly drink this on Broad Street with or and not using a hoagie.

But is it price it?

There are equally drinkable wines at cheaper worth factors for those who select to lose the enjoyable label, however I for one loved going to events and explaining my beard wine. I’d undoubtedly purchase one other bottle if it have been accessible at my native Fine Wines and Good Spirits retailer.

And that’s a chance, in accordance with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

“We are always looking for new and interesting products we think our customers would enjoy,” mentioned PLCB spokesperson Shawn Kelly.