(Decanter) - Nike has released new football boots in honour of Italian playmaker Andrea Pirlo, inspired by wine and including a cork lining. 

Nike launched its ‘Tiempo Pirlo’ boots this week in what it described as a Merlot colour.

It said that it wanted to pay tribute to Andrea Pirlo’s long history with winemaking.

Pirlo has been one of Italy’s outstanding players over the last decade. He won the FIFA World Cup with the national team in Germany in 2006, and he has won several other trophies with club teams.

‘The boot’s upper features premium Alegria leather in a Merlot colorway inspired by the juice of the grape,’ said Nike.

The boots also feature a ‘genuine cork sockliner’, Nike said.

‘His passion for fine wine led Pirlo and his family to open a winery called Pratum Coller.’

Pirlo opened the estate in 2007, and it is near the town of Flero in Brescia, northern Italy. He grows Merlot among several other grape varieties.