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Cleveland Cavaliers named NBA's most wine-obsessed team

ESPN featured the NBA's budding fascination with wine.

To many, the Cleveland Cavaliers are known as 'The Wine and Gold' because of their color scheme.

But based on a recent article from ESPN, there might be another reason for the Cavs' nickname.

In a feature that will appear in the upcoming issue of ESPN The Magazine, Baxter Holmes details the budding popularity of wine consumption across the NBA. In the article, Holmes refers to the Cavs as the league's "most wine-obsessed" team, while detailing multiple trips to wineries in Napa Valley -- including its well-documented visit to Mayacamas in late-December.

According to Holmes, it was former Cleveland general manager David Griffin who first introduced wine into the Cavs' culture in 2014, and it has since taken off with LeBron James being noted as one of the NBA's top connoisseurs.

Although James was careful not to divulge which vino he favors -- for branding purposes -- the 4-time MVP did share details on his current wine consumption. "I've heard it's good for the heart. Listen, I'm playing the best basketball of my life, and I'm drinking some wine pretty much every day. Whatever it is, I'll take it."

James, of course, isn't the only wine enthusiast on his team, as Portland native Kevin Love has been known to enjoy a good bottle of red. The feature also details the habits of now-former Cavs Channing Frye, Isaiah Thomas and Dwyane Wade, who even has his own collection known as "D Wade Cellars."

Although a long read, Holmes' article is well worth the time -- and also includes an anecdote about the origin of James' famed 'Banana Boat' trip.

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