MORE KNOWN FOR his stellar on-field displays, Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo also holds a love of wine close to his heart.
Like a fine wine, the Italian’s football career appears to be maturing nicely.
Pirlo helped Juve claim the Serie A title last term before playing a key role in Italy’s runner-up finish at Euro 2012.
But the 33-year-old also devotes his efforts toward a lifelong passion for wine.
“What you don’t know about me is that I also own a vineyard,” Pirlo said.
“When I was little we would often go to my grandmother’s house. The area is called Coller, it’s a hillside near the centre of Brescia. We picked grapes on this hillside.”
His mother, Livia Pirlo, admitted that the World Cup winner has always had a fond association with a glass of wine.
“He was always a lively but quiet child. Or, rather, not boisterous,” she said.
“When he was small he always tasted a little wine. When he got a bit older not as much, but now that he’s an adult he likes to try different kinds of wine.”
