(Wine-Searcher) - The metronomic golfer eschews tannin in his newly released selection of classic European wines.

Sir Nick Faldo, one of the world's most celebrated golfers, has launched a new range of premium wines from some of Europe's finest vineyards.

Faldo has six major championships to his name, including winning the US Masters three times. He dominated the world golf circuit for 25 years after breaking through in 1977. He retired from competitive golf after his 37th Open at St Andrews this year.

He has now teamed up with UK importer Milton Sandford and a clutch of European wineries – including Rioja's Baigorri, Jean-Marc Brocard of Burgundy and Paolo Monti of Piemonte – to produce six wines to be aimed at hotels and restaurants, and particularly golf clubs.

The wines are all branded with Faldo's crest – he was knighted in 2009 – the claret and green stripes representing his championship wins.

"A friend of mine who's a graphic artist designed it," he told Wine Searcher. "The claret represents the claret jug of the Open, and the green is the green jacket of the Masters, and that's the order I won them in: Open, Masters, Masters, Open, Open, Masters."

The six wines are a Sauvignon de Touraine from Domaine de la Renaudie, Jean-Marc Brocard Chablis, a Valpolicella Ripasso from Le Tobele, a Rioja from Bodegas Baigorri, a Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Domaine Berthet-Rayne and a 2008 Barolo from Paolo Monti. They range in price from £10.99 ($16.70) to £44.99 ($69) for the Barolo. They are produced in quantities of 5000 bottles, with 500 of the Barolo.

While Faldo wasn't involved in the blending, he took part in early selection sessions after Milton Sandford owner John Winchester had solicited samples from producers. The wines reflect his taste, which is for "quite easy, fruity, velvety wines. I don't like heavy tannins," he said.

Baigorri, for example, was chosen from six different Riojas. Company president Javier de Galarreta said the final wine came from "the best Crianzas of 2010. Then they came back with comments – the wine should be round, soft and elegant, fruit driven, between classic and modern Rioja."

While producers were given direction by Milton Sandford, they stress their wines are very much reflections of their terroir. Christian Berthet-Rayne said: "I wanted to make an international wine but something that is also typical of Chateauneuf-du-Pape."

It is early days, but at least one critic agrees. Richard Hemming MW, who writes on jancisrobinson.com, said: "They are all classic, reliable interpretations of their type, consistent across the board. The Valpolicella was my favourite in terms of style and value."