Rugby Player Co-Owner of French Wine Bar

A rugby player may not seem like an obvious choice as a wine geek, but a Canadian rugby player has a wine bar in France.

Canadian Jamie Cudmore, who plays for Canada at the 2011 Rugby World Cup and for ASM Clermont Auvergne, co-owns a wine bar/boutique/restaurant in France called Vinomania. The staff serve more than 60 wines, including picks from the Niagara region in Ontario.

Cudmore told the Canadian Press, "Never in my wildest dreams, did I think I'd be able to make a living in France, playing a game — and then the businesses. We just built a house there. I definitely have to pinch myself quite a lot."

Cudmore also owns The Five, a sports bar and nightclub; the name is a reference to his jersey number and the number of partners in the business.

Cudmore lives with his wife Jennifer and their young daughter Maelle in Clermont, which is in southcentral France. Cudmore told the Canadian Press that the family may stay in France, even after rugby.

Photo courtesy of Rugby Canada