USHER’S WINE BAR OPENS IN THE ATL: The Grape is the first of a chain he hopes to open in NY, L.A. and Vegas.

*The grand opening of a new wine bar owned by Usher took place yesterday in Atlanta. The Grape, located in Inman Park (two miles east of downtown Atlanta), opened its doors for a newspaper reporter earlier in the week as construction workers and employees were hustling to get things ready for its scheduled Thursday debut. According to John Kessler of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Usher was also on hand for the private preview – dressed in "This is my favorite wine," Usher said, according to the newspaper. "But I also like Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru," naming a storied French vineyard. "If you're gonna call yourself a wine drinker, you've gotta have at least a burgundy in your stash." a purple velour blazer over a purple shirt – and “hoisted aloft a glass of deep purple pinot noir called Credo.” A Grape in New York is scheduled to follow in late 2007, and will reportedly coincide with the release of his new album. After Grape conquers the Big Apple, there are plans for its expa Grape CEO Jack Mazur and business manager Solomon Smallwood also see Grapes growing in Chicago, South America, Shanghai and Tokyo. out west into Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. Mazur and his partners decided to capitalize on the growing interest of wine among younger drinkers and came up with the concept for Grape. All the wines poured in the bar are available for sale in the attached store.