Toasts of the town


Imagine being at a wine tasting and seeing the name of Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones on the label of the bottle about to be uncorked.

Pop it open and breath in the boquet. It will undoubtedly have a strong nose, perhaps reminiscent of a locker in the clubhouse.

How does it taste?

Strong, full-bodied. Definite power to the opposite field. But there's a slight grittiness. Do I detect a hint of infield clay?

Jones and two of his Atlanta teammates, pitcher Tom Glavine and catcher Brian McCann, could soon be stocking your wine cellar in the interest of charity.

The three have teamed up with Charity Hop Sports Consulting and Napa Valley's Clos LaChance Winery and Estate Vineyard to create wines to be sold at retailers in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

All of the profits will be given to charity, according to a press release sent by Charity Hop Sports Consulting. So, before too long, you might see some of the following labels on grocery store shelves:

* Cabernet Glavignon, which will benefit Glavine's designated charity, CURE Children's Cancer.

* Chipper Chardonnay, which will benefit Jones' choice, The Miracle League.

* McCann Merlot, which McCann hopes will benefit Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research.

I must say that these would seem to represent far more palatable options than, say, a John Rocker Riesling. In actuality, the bottles would be worth purchasing simply for their value as a collector's item.

The expected retail price for each label will be $13. That's a pittance considering how the money will be applied.