(TDB) - Sir Ian Botham OBE has officially launched his own range of wines at Lord’s cricket ground in the UK today.

Speaking to the drinks business just hours ahead of the launch, the English cricketing legend said that the wines were a reflection of his tastes, stressing that he was involved in the sourcing and blending of the new range.

“I hate the term ‘celebrity wine’,” he said, making it clear that this wasn’t a case of just applying a famous name to an existing wine. “Everything I like in wine is in these bottles,” he added.

The inaugural selection, unveiled today in London, comprises varietal Chardonnays, Shirazes and Cabernets across three tiers, all of which hail from Australia.

At the entry-level is the ‘All Rounder’, with a mid-tier range called ‘The Botham Series’, and then, at the top, priced between £35 and £40, is the ‘Sir Ian Botham’ range.

The grapes for the wines come from Adelaide Hills and Margaret River for the Chardonnays, and Barossa and Coonawarra for the Shirazes and Cabernets respectively.

Botham told db that the range would be augmented by Pinot Noir from Central Otago in New Zealand, and, in the future, another Pinot from Mornington Peninsula in Australia – having agreed a partnership with Paringa Estate.