PLUS: BLUES LEGEND’S PLAN FOR BAR SELLING HIS OWN WINE
BLUES LEGEND PLANS TO SELL HIS OWN VINO IN SWANKY NIGHTSPOT
CITY legend Georgi Kinkladze is to launch his own brand of wine – and plans to open a swanky bar in Didsbury village.
He has even sent Blues boss – and wine connoisseur – Pep Guardiola a bottle of his vino.
Georgia, where Maine Road icon Kinkladze hails from, is one of the oldest wine-making regions in the world.
‘Kinky’ has a keen interest in wine production, owning several vineyards in his homeland.
Kinkladze Wines and Spirits will sell dozens of varieties of white and red wine, prosecco, whisky and Chacha (a form of Georgian brandy), all organically made in his homeland.
He will use grapes and ingredients both from his own vineyards and others across Georgia. Some products will be branded with his name.
Kinkladze, who retired in 2006, is no stranger to the world of business. He owns a chain of leisure centres across Europe.
As part of his latest venture, which is being backed by the Georgian government, he also plans to open a wine bar in Didsbury.
Those behind the project have already earmarked premises in Didsbury village and say they plan to open in June.
The 45-year-old has lived in Tiblisi since hanging up his boots.
His son lives in Knutsford. Kinkladze says the project will hopefully see him and wife Tea relocate permanently back to the UK.
“We are very excited by what is happening,” he said.
“Georgian wine is as good as anything in the world. I can’t recommend it highly enough and I can’t wait for people to taste it.
“I also hope to be moving over with my family very shortly.”
Paul Ashbee, 52, Kinkladze’s longtime friend and business partner, said: “It’s funny really, having known Gio for so long, I had no idea that he had such an interest in wine and that Georgia was one of the birthplaces.
“But when he told us his idea we all got really excited by it.
“We’ve assembled a great team and we can’t wait to get going now.”
Paul is to release a tell-all book called ‘Giving it the Bigun: Oasis, Manchester, Football and Me’ this Spring all about how he introduced Liam Gallagher to The Rain, who became Oasis, as well as friendships with many of the 90s football stars in the city, including Kinkladze.
He has already handed over a bottle of Kinkladze’s wine to fellow City legend, and club ambassador, Mike Summerbee, to pass on to Pep Guardiola.
A number of other well-known Manchester figures are involved with the project including David Khan, John Morrin and Craig Woolfenden, Paul said.
Kinkladze signed for City in 1995 after being spotted playing for his country by the Blues’ then chairman Francis Lee.
Joining from Dinamo Tiblisi in a £2m move, he soon became a cult figure on the blue side of Manchester. He left to join Ajax in 1998. In an exclusive interview with the M.E.N in October, Kinky said he was still taken aback by the adulation he receives from City fans. He said: “It still surprises me. But often I come to Manchester and still I feel the love and respect from them.”