Geordies told to ditch Brown Ale

Former Newcastle player David Ginola launches his wine

A former Newcastle United footballer is urging Geordies to stop drinking Brown Ale and start drinking fine wine.

David Ginola returned to St James' Park in Newcastle to launch his Coste Brulade 2007 Rose with a message for football fans to try something new.

Since leaving football he has started making wine at his vineyard at home in Provence in southern France.

Asked if he expected Newcastle fans to change their traditional tipple, he said: "Why aye man."

He added: "A bit of a change is good with relationships with women and it is good with wine. It is not a question of sophistication, it is a question of taste."

The ex-footballer is still looking for a distributor for the wine but said he hoped it would be in shops soon.

Ginola was at Newcastle United between 1995 and 1997.

The wine will have its official launch on Saturday at the Newcastle Journal Taste 2 festival.