Chinese Basketball Star Yao Ming Launches Wine Collection in His Own Name

Retired Chinese basketball superstar Yao Ming, venturing into the world of wines, has launched a wine collection in his own name in Shanghai.

The inaugural charity auction was organised by the Special Olympics. The first batch of Yao Ming wine is a 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, which will sell in China for 3,800 yuan ($600) a bottle. Let's introduce this inaugural bottle of 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon that will soon be launched in the market under my name, he said.

First, this is a 2009 wine and we can feel everything inside this wine is in the past, like being in a time capsule. Also, a lot of times, when we enjoy wine, it is not the simple act of drinking the wine, but it also contains the feeling of the wonderful time that you spend with your friends enjoying the wine, Yao added.

Yao is the global ambassador for the Special Olympics. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Special Olympics, which organises athletics for adults and children with intellectual disabilities in China.

Yao, 31, is China's first global sports superstar with a personal brand valued at more than $1 billion. He ended his professional basketball career after eight seasons in the NBA in July this year due to injuries.