A sport with grape expectations

A recent Briefing item about Greg Norman Estates Wines prompted several readers to point out that the Shark is not alone when it comes to professional golfers and the grape.

Arnold Palmer, Ernie Els and David Frost also have their own wine labels. So does the PGA Tour, including a California sparkling wine that commemorates the 25th anniversary of the Champions Tour.

Wine labels are to pro golfers what rap albums are to NBA players.

The question is: Why?

On the website for Els’ wines, an explanation is offered: “While men may dream different dreams, they are driven by the same quest: to reach for, and to accomplish perfection. No two pursuits bear the truth of this more than the perfect round of golf or the perfect bottle of wine.”

Or, as reader Dan Weissberg suggests, “This is a group of guys with lots of disposable income and extremely high egos. A lethal combination in the wine game. The guys love to see their names/pictures on stuff, especially things associated with and appealing to good times.”

Trivia time

Which major sports championship trophy is fashioned after a 19th-century French wine container?

Hold the

Craig Stadler

‘Walrus Blend’

When it comes to golfers and their wine, the name means everything.

For instance, the Greg Norman Estates label sounds refined, sophisticated enough to be worth a try. However, a John Daly Beaujolais might be something to approach with caution.

Some wines just sound tastier than others. Such as: “My good man, I’d like to try another bottle of the Olazabal.”

As opposed to: “Waiter! This Fred Funk is absolute junk.”

Play it Sideways

Blogging for Wine Spectator Online, James Molesworth discusses his search for “the Tiger Woods of wine -- the most consistent wine in the game.”

Writes Molesworth: “Weather plays cruel tricks on winemakers all the time. There’s also more competition than ever, and more talented young winemakers starting their own projects. It’s just like the PGA Tour that way.

“Yet through it all, there are consistent wineries that keep up with the times. They keep making great wine that you never get tired of drinking.”

For the Tiger Woods of red wine, Molesworth nominates Etude -- “with a Cabernet and Pinot Noir portfolio ... that hasn’t had a clunker since I started buying it in the early ‘90s.” For whites, he adds, “I’d have to nominate Joh. Jos. Prum -- a winery that has been so consistently good for so long, you have to wonder if it’s on steroids.”

Hold that golf cart

All this talk about golf and wine reminds Briefing of the recent news item about a South Dakota woman who was arrested for DUI in a golf cart.

According to a Rapid City police report, Tawanna Martin, 23, was arrested after a police officer spotted her on the road around midnight and tried to stop her because the golf cart had no lights.

The report said Martin refused to stop at first, but finally did, once she realized her cart could not outrun the squad car.

The officer smelled alcohol on Martin’s breath and needed help from a couple of other officers to draw a blood sample as part of a new mandatory blood test when the woman became uncooperative.

All of this could have been avoided had someone first told her that many golf carts transport designated drivers, but they are golf clubs, not people.

Trivia answer

The Silver Claret Jug, given to the winner of golf’s British Open.

And finally

European golf fans also enjoy a fine line when wanting to quench their thirst. Every two years or so, they eagerly await the release of a traditionally rich vintage, the American Ryder Cup whine.

mike.penner@latimes.com