Wayne Gretzky may have hung up his skates for good back in '99, but that hasn't slowed him down. Part owner and head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes, he also owns a vineyard in the Niagara Peninsula of Canada. (Prompting one writer to comment, "The Great One has become The Grape One.")

One of his wines, Wayne Gretzky Estates No. 99 Unoaked Chardonnay 2006, is this week's selection from WorldWineBoutique.com. (And, as a BG reader, remember to enter coupon code WWB103BG when you check out to get 10% off your order.)

Here are the bullet points:
- This is considered the flagship wine of Gretzky Estates.
- It is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes.
- Harvested October 2006, bottled June 2007
- It's labeled "unoaked" because the wine is cool fermented in stainless steel, not oak casks.
- The wine is full fruit, dry, with aromas of white peach and pear, fresh melon, and floral notes of apple blossom and pecan.
- The flavors are stone fruit, pear, and dried apricot, with some citrus acidity on the finish.
- Pairs well with full flavored foods. Aslo good to serve before dinner.
- Can drink now. Will improve in the cellar for 3-4 years.
- There's no picture of Wayne's NHL card on the label, but his "No. 99" is featured prominently.

Story points to tell while pouring her a glass:
If "It's made by Wayne Gretzky" doesn't do it for her, tell her that the climate on the Niagara Peninsula is ideally suited to growing Chardonnay grapes. The warm days and cool nights allow the fruit to ripen slowly and evenly, and keep the acidity in balance. Throw in the part about it never touching oak, how it's been cool fermented in stainless steel barrels. And you can always add in that real men apparently do drink Chardonnay.

$25.99 per bottle
$311.88 per 12 bottle case
www.worldwineboutique.com
[Enter code: WWB103BG to get 10% off your order]