Are you curious about David Ginola, the renowned footballer? This article dives into his life, career, and passions, offering a comprehensive look at this captivating personality. Discover more about his journey and other intriguing figures at CAUHOI2025.UK.COM. Explore beyond the pitch, delving into his business ventures, media presence, and even his personal tastes in wine and food. Uncover the diverse facets of David Ginola, from his athletic prowess to his entrepreneurial spirit and sophisticated palate.
1. David Ginola: From Football Pitch to Wine Estate Dreams
David Ginola, a name synonymous with football flair, harbors a passion beyond the pitch: winemaking. While many anticipate him transitioning into modeling, management, or media roles post-football, Ginola dreams of owning a “domaine” in France.
A Provençal Calling
Ginola’s ambition isn’t a fleeting whim. He once pursued the Domaine de la Bastide Blanche near St. Tropez, drawn to its 30 hectares of vines and access to a nudist beach. Although outbid, his desire remains. He envisions creating a high-quality red wine in Provence, leveraging his extensive contacts to market it successfully. “I’d like to do something that I’m as passionate about as football, but it would have to be something serious,” he stated.
Rooted in Provence
Born in Gassin, near St. Tropez, Ginola maintains a home in Sainte Maxime with a sizable, climate-controlled cellar. In the south of France, wine is integral to life, much like tea in Britain. “I started to drink wine as soon as I started to eat with my parents,” Ginola recalls, emphasizing the cultural significance of wine in his upbringing.
2. The Ginola Family Wine Ritual
Ginola’s parents weren’t collectors of fine wines. Instead, their cellar was stocked with “vins de table.” Every Saturday, Ginola and his father visited the local co-operative in Plan de La Tour, filling three large demijohns with Côtes de Provence wine. This ritual involved transferring the wine into bottles and manually inserting the corks. “I can still remember the smell of the wine in that cellar,” Ginola fondly remembers.
Simple Tastes, Refined Palate
Despite his wealth, Ginola maintains simple tastes in both food and wine. He frequents the same co-operative with his father when he visits home. While he appreciates top Bordeaux or Burgundy for special occasions, his everyday preferences remain grounded. He emphasizes the connection between food and wine, stating, “A taste for wine begins with a love of food. People who don’t like eating don’t really like wine. I’m shocked when I see people drinking wine on its own. Without food, wine is just alcohol.”
Wine and Athletic Performance
As a footballer, Ginola adheres to a strict diet consisting of fish, vegetables, and pasta. He appreciates that red wine, in moderation, is often recommended by sports dieticians. However, he acknowledges that his fondness for pairing claret with cheese might not be universally endorsed. While white wines are generally discouraged due to their acidity, Ginola admits to enjoying them occasionally.
3. Ginola’s White Wine Indulgence and Seduction Secret
Despite the dietary restrictions, Ginola enjoys Chablis, white Bordeaux, and white Burgundy. He has a particular fondness for sweet wines like Alsace Vendanges Tardives and Coteaux du Layon from the Loire Valley. “The first time I tasted sweet Chenin Blanc, I hit the ceiling,” he exclaims.
The Seductive Power of Vendange Tardive
Ginola recommends Vendange Tardive as a “great seduction wine.” He notes, “I know women who never drink wine, but love Vendange Tardive. It’s soft, sweet and intense, but there’s nothing aggressive about it.”
A Memorable Moment at La Tour d’Argent
A bottle of Vendange Tardive played a crucial role in one of Ginola’s most cherished gastronomic experiences. In 1994, he took his wife, Coraline, to La Tour d’Argent in Paris for her birthday. The restaurant owner, Claude Terrail, led them to a candle-lit room in the cellar where their desserts and a bottle of Alsace Vendange Tardive awaited them.
4. Building a Wine Collection with Expert Guidance
Ginola’s passion for red wine led him to start collecting in 1993 while playing for Paris Saint-Germain. He attended a wine fair organized by a French supermarket chain, Maurepas, where he met Philippe Faure-Brac, a former World Champion Sommelier.
Mentorship and Early Investments
Faure-Brac became Ginola’s mentor, advising him on which wines to buy. He helped Ginola establish his cellar with 1989 and 1990 Bordeaux, a case of 1986 Château d’Yquem, and some 1982 Gruaud-Larose. While initially hesitant about investing in a case of 1982 Château Pétrus, Ginola followed Faure-Brac’s advice. “It cost me nearly £3,000 a case even then. But it’s being sold at auction for around £16,000, so that has to count as a good piece of advice,” he acknowledges.
The Romanée-Conti Lesson
Inspired to add red Burgundy to his collection, Ginola directly contacted the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. He requested a case of 1990 Romanée-Conti, only to learn that it was only available as part of a mixed case of their red Burgundies. Ginola agreed to the condition and still possesses the case in his cellar.
5. Ginola’s Wine Philosophy: Sharing is Caring
Ginola’s cellar contains around 3,000 bottles, including local Provençal wines, 1990 Château Latour, and the coveted 1982 Pétrus and 1990 DRC. He meticulously maintains a cellar book, recording purchase details and the people with whom he shared the wines.
Giving Over Receiving
“I buy wine to give other people pleasure,” Ginola emphasizes. “The whole idea of wine is to give, rather than receive.” He contrasts this with the modern football world, which he perceives as increasingly individualistic.
Exceptions to the Rule
Despite his critique of modern football, Ginola recalls instances of camaraderie. He shared two bottles of wine with Kevin Keegan while playing at Newcastle, marking a unique relationship with a coach. He also fondly remembers the Hotel du Vin in Birmingham, where he discovered new wines thanks to the owner and sommeliers.
6. Football, Food, and Friendship
Ginola’s experience at Aston Villa was enhanced by the communal atmosphere at the Hotel du Vin, where he often invited teammates after training. “We had some great times, with a group of people from different backgrounds and cultures sitting around a table and enjoying food and wine,” he recalls.
French Wine Preferences
Ginola’s preferred wines are predominantly French. “It’s not a nationalistic thing,” he explains, “it’s just that I know my limits.” His top choices include 1982 Pétrus, 1990 Romanée-Conti, 1989 Sélection de Grains Nobles Kaefferkopf, 1970 Haut-Brion, and 1981 Côte Rôtie, Chapoutier.
The Essence of Provence
Perhaps the most revealing of Ginola’s wine choices is the 2001 Château de Rasque Côtes de Provence Rosé. This rosé, made by a family friend, is a staple in his refrigerator during the summer months in Provence. He describes it as “fresh and it’s fruity, you can almost drink it like water.” For Ginola, Provence embodies his “life, my youth and my roots.” He cherishes the region’s scents, sounds, and tastes, from pine trees and lavender to cicadas and garlic.
7. The Future: Domaine David Ginola
While football fans miss his talent, Ginola’s vision of Domaine David Ginola seems within reach. His passion for winemaking, combined with his knowledge and contacts, suggests a promising future in the wine industry.
David Ginola’s Top Six Wines
- 1982 Pétrus
- 1990 Romanée-Conti
- 1989 Sélection de Grains Nobles Kaefferkopf
- 1970 Haut-Brion
- 1981 Côte Rôtie, Chapoutier
- 2001 Château de Rasque Côtes de Provence Rosé
David Ginola: More Than Just a Footballer
David Ginola’s journey reveals a multifaceted individual with a deep appreciation for life’s finer things. From his humble beginnings in Provence to his successful football career and his aspirations in winemaking, Ginola embodies passion, dedication, and a commitment to pursuing his dreams.
8. FAQ: Unveiling More About David Ginola
Here are some frequently asked questions about David Ginola:
Q1: What is David Ginola known for?
David Ginola is primarily known for his successful career as a footballer, playing for clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur.
Q2: What is David Ginola’s dream after football?
Ginola dreams of owning a “domaine” in France and producing high-quality red wine in Provence.
Q3: Where was David Ginola born?
David Ginola was born in Gassin, near St. Tropez, in the south of France.
Q4: What kind of wine did Ginola’s parents drink?
Ginola’s parents mainly drank “vins de table,” simple table wines, rather than fine wines.
Q5: Who mentored David Ginola in wine collecting?
Philippe Faure-Brac, a former World Champion Sommelier, mentored Ginola in building his wine collection.
Q6: What is Ginola’s favorite white wine?
Ginola enjoys Chablis, white Bordeaux, and white Burgundy, despite their acidity being discouraged for athletes.
Q7: What wine does Ginola recommend for seduction?
Ginola recommends Vendange Tardive as a great seduction wine due to its soft, sweet, and intense character.
Q8: How many bottles of wine are in Ginola’s cellar?
Ginola’s cellar contains approximately 3,000 bottles of wine.
Q9: What is Ginola’s philosophy about wine?
Ginola believes that the whole idea of wine is to give pleasure to others, rather than just receiving it for oneself.
Q10: What does Provence represent to David Ginola?
Provence represents Ginola’s life, youth, and roots, encompassing the smells, sounds, and tastes of the region.
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