England prop Sheridan sees a rosé future

England prop Andrew Sheridan doesn’t mind a drink, but it’s all in the name of education.

A wine enthusiast, Sheridan is looking at life beyond the rugby pitch and is taking a course to improve his wine knowledge.

“I can’t play rugby forever,” he said. “I like drinking wine, so I thought I’d do a course in it."

The English prop is studying by correspondence through the Wine and Spirit Education Trust in the United Kingdom and says he has a deeper appreciation for his favourite drop.

“You just understand more about different flavours and viticulture and the way different countries deal with their wine industries,” he said.

“It’s very interesting, how different wine varieties can produce such different flavours.”

Not turning his nose up

Sheridan, who is partial to a red burgundy, says his new-found understanding and appreciation of wine has not turned him into someone who only looks at the reserve section of a wine list.

“I like all wines really,” he said. “I drink anything. If I like it, I like it, you know. I don’t just say ‘oh that’s X amount of pounds, I won’t drink that'.”

“If I like it, I drink it, so I don’t think I’m a wine snob.”

While the 31-year-old is focused on playing his best at Rugby World Cup 2011, Sheridan says he’ll also be sure to do some homework on wine in New Zealand.

“I think it would be rude not to, wouldn’t it.”