18th November 2022 | Top Drops | 8 minute read
Another four years has flown by and planet Earth’s most anticipated sporting event is once again upon us. Whilst Qatar itself is not known for winemaking (or football for that matter), we thought we’d jet set around the world and discover the iconic wines of former World Championship host nations. Pitched against each other, this would make one seriously competitive tournament!
Where better to start than with arguably the most synonymous country there is when it comes to boasting both iconic wines and legendary football status. France are not only firmly among the winemaking gods, but they are also the current world champions after emerging victorious in 2018. That was the second of their wins, having also scooped football’s top international prize back in 1998 when they last hosted the tournament.
The French have a enviable tradition of flair, panache, or in the words of Theirry Henry, “Va Va Voom”. To the pain of other nations, this tradition applies to both football and wine, which isn’t really fair (unless of course you are French). Think Cantona, Zidane, Vieira, and Deschamps to name but a few. Transformed into wines they would be the likes of Burgundy, Bordeaux, Chablis, and Champagne. With almost too much choice, and after a few selection headaches, here are the three iconic wines representing Les Bleus!
Champagne is an absolute must in any French line-up, and this is a belter. Gremillet is a small, family-owned Champagne house producing great value sparkling. Due to its southern latitude, the grapes achieve a greater ripeness, which produces richer fruit flavours perfectly mixed with characteristic toasty Champagne overtones.
French Sauvignon Blanc is a classic. Les Arbousiers Trio is a little different, and an exciting blend of equal parts Sauvignon Blanc, Colombard and Gros Manseng. Whilst each grape can be beautiful on its own, this blend becomes greater than the sum of its parts. A lovely example of French flair.
A classic Bordeaux beauty from the satellite region of St-Emilion, offering fantastic quality at an affordable price. Intense aromas of plum, black cherry, clove and toast beckon from the glass. On the palate, expect spice at the forefront with a graphite edge, followed by sweet red fruits and a long, toasty finish. Ooh la la.
Onto another European superstar in Italy – the continent’s most successful footballing nation alongside Germany, albeit with a far greater winemaking reputation. The four-time champions of the world are icons on the international stage, most recently beating the English in the final of the Euros. Whilst the French are known for footballing flair, the Italians are quite the opposite, traditionally possessing a steely defensive nature about them which has seen them grind their way to victories. The same can also be said of their wines, particularly reds, which are often the big, bruising powerhouses of Europe, yet also possessing finesse and style.
As absolute masters at tournament football, we thought we’d choose three unquestionably reliable wines which could easily decant their way to victory spurred on by chants of Italia! Italia! Italia!
The pinnacle wine from one of southern Italy’s top producers and nothing short of a behemoth. With a whopping 4.8/5 star rating, this 16% ABV red isn’t for the fainthearted. Crafted with the best Negroamaro and Primitivo fruit from the vintage, this is pure quality.
This wine really is a great exhibit of craftsmanship. Nero d’Avola is allowed to wither on the vine before harvest which concentrates the sugars and gives the wine a generous fruit richness. Tempered by Frappato picked at its earliest maturation, the blend also has a huge whack of freshness. Another big, bold Italian red.
There’s no place like home when it comes to this grape, and the Italians know how to do it. Brio, though a word without a literal translation, is about liveliness, vivacity and energy. That’s what this classic Pinot Grigio is all about.
For the USA, it is all about the women’s team in terms of reputation on the global stage. They are the current back-to-back world champions having won the tournament in both 2015 and 2019, boasting some of the best players of all time including Megan Rapanoe and Alex Morgan. The men’s team isn’t near those levels, however the game is growing in stature and with a country the size of The States, we’re surely not a million years away from seeing a world-beating side.
When it comes to wine, the USA has a similar reputation as it does with football. Genuine world-class wines, particularly reds, mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir – the women’s team – and a generally growing winemaking rep on the international stage – the men’s team. These wines would put up a serious challenge against the old world European classics.
Gnarly 60-to-80-year-old vines produce low yields of small, concentrated clusters of grapes that go on to produce this incredibly intense and flavourful wine. Expect vivid dark berry, kirsch and dried fruit aromas, which are balanced by sweet vanilla and liquorice, juxtaposed against bitter dark chocolate and warming cedar spice. Incredible class.
Paul Hobbs has famously been called the ‘Steve Jobs’ of wine by Forbes magazine. Crossbarn Pinot Noir hails from carefully selected, cool Sonoma Coast vineyards – the perfect spot for vines to flourish. A balanced and elegant wine with full, bright red fruit and complex earthy notes.
An unoaked Chardonnay with fresh, fruity flavours and a crisp, bright mouth feel reminiscent of Washington State’s famous apples. This wine is from a cooler site with river influence, perfect for Chardonnay, where the vines produce fruit with sublime mineral character and great acidity.
Argentina have lost more World Championship finals than they’ve won, but having claimed the crown in 1978 as the host nation, and then again in 1986, they are the fourth most successful nation on the global stage taking into account second placed finishes. The South Americans are always a force to be reckoned with, and ooze the Latin flair which makes them a joy to watch, and their wines a delight.
Most, if not all wine drinkers, will have enjoyed a classic Argentinean Malbec. The terroir and geographical makeup of the country lends itself perfectly to producing world-class red wines, with a mix of high altitudes, good sunlight and unforgiving soils; a strangely perfect mix. This is our first all-red line-up, and a celebration of all things Malbec, ready to take on the world!
Fantastic entry-level Malbec. Notes of ripe blueberry and bramble fruit with a dash of spice create a rich mouthfeel and a beautifully long finish. A delicious Malbec at its easy drinking best.
A super premium Argentinian red that has been skillfully produced, consisting of 50% Malbec, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% of both Merlot and Syrah. The resulting wine is complex and powerful with the potential to age for a number of years. Full, rich, with plenty of finesse.
Luigi Bosca is absolutely in the top tier of Argentine producers. This amazing Malbec and Petit Verdot blend is very intense and robust, with aromas of cassis and smoky wood. A real superstar.
The main emotions felt when Germany appear at major tournaments usually involve dread and fear. And there is a perfectly good reason for that – the Germans are very good. Emerging victorious at the 1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014 World Championships, they have also made the final four a record number of times.
The German wine scene however is vastly different to its footballing credentials, largely due to limited amounts of wine being both produced and exported out of the country. The wines that do make their way around the world however are typically very good (like German football), albeit limited in style (not like German football), and almost exclusively Riesling or Pinot Noir.
A truly modern expression of German Pinot Noir. Full of mouth-watering flavours of ripe strawberry and cherry, with a dash of spicy pepper and trademark acidity to add a refreshing balance to sweet fruit notes.
This is a classic dry German Riesling. Its slight sweetness with lime fruit on the palate is a match made in heaven for spicy Asian food, hence the name. An ideal aperitif when chilled right down.
This is perfection, no question, and a German Riesling at the other end of the scale. Grapes are picked at optimum Beerenauslese ripeness (aka, sweet!) but the freshness that is retained through impeccable vintage conditions and expert vineyard management really will blow you away.
For a nation historically boasting such footballing talents, it’s a little strange to think that Spain have only won the World Championships once, back in 2010. In fact, they’ve only made it beyond the quarter finals twice, which is a worse record than England! Where Spain surpass the English, and most other countries, is with their winemaking credentials and legacy. Many renowned classics enjoyed the globe over are expertly crafted by Spanish winemakers, none better recognised than the barrel-aged wines of Rioja. It’s not just reds though in which the Spanish excel, in fact it’s the breadth of wine styles which make the country incredibly exciting.
Never to underestimated, this line-up of Spanish wines combines everything needed to emerge victorious – variety, style and substance.
The flagship wine of a range made with the highest level of care and attention. Only ‘perfect’ grapes make the cut after two very strict selection processes. Oozing notes of black cherry, strawberry, vanilla and clove on a super-smooth yet full-bodied palate.
A deliciously refreshing expression of Albarino grown in its spiritual home in the north. This is the ultimate wine to pour when seafood is on the menu. Focused citrus notes with a salty, mineral structure, make it both elegant and robust in style.
A very modern Cava with excellent crispness. Expect candied lemon peel, grapefruit and notes of toasted almond with lively citrus on the palate. Europe’s underrated sparkling wine style, ready to make some headlines!
Chile are by no means a footballing powerhouse on the global stage, but they have hosted the tournament back in 1962, which was also their most successful seeing them finish third. Not graced with all too many superstars, they are an efficient footballing collective, with potential to usurp the more prominent footballing nations.
Could the same be argued for their wine? Yes, there are parallels. Chilean wines are typically very good but don’t always carry the hefty price tag or world-beating reputation. As with their South American neighbours, Argentina, it is reds in which they traditionally excel, but are also capable of producing exceptional white wines. The quintessential dark horse!
The Aconcagua Valley, although small, has a big reputation for its wines. This is a flawless Semillon with clean, citrus fruit and classic varietal weight. A pronounced lemony kick makes a great pairing with shellfish.
This is among the very best that Maipo can produce; the region itself being one of the best in Chile for producing high-quality Bordeaux varietals of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. A consistently highly rated wine and guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
A bold Sauvignon Blanc that has a wonderful mix of citrus zest and mango notes coupled with a lovely herbal freshness. Brilliant with fishy dishes or your favourite goats cheese. On equal footing with French and New Zealand alternatives.
The only African nation to have hosted the World Championships. South Africa played hosts in 2010, but even though they beat France in their group, they failed to make it through to the knockout stages – a record which they still hold today. If there’s one word to summarize not just the country itself, but also their wine, that word would be exciting – something you probably wouldn’t use to describe their footballing record.
South African wines are incredibly varied and best of all, fantastic value. Its beautiful geographical make-up is reflected in the zingy, fresh and inspiring wines which they produce. Notable varieties include Pinotage, Chenin Blanc and the more universally grown Chardonnay and Shiraz. These wines are the wild cards of the tournament, and guaranteed to entertain!
Winemaker Ryno Booysen takes charge here, capturing the best of this enigmatic and typically South African grape. Up front there is soft raspberry fruit, then on the palate it feels fresh and taut with lingering spice. This really is a full-on flavour rollercoaster with a persistent, fresh berry finish.
Named after the five-pointed star shape of the Castle of Good Hope on Cape Town’s foreshore, this South African classic comes from ancient, mineral-rich vineyards, cooled by the coastal breezes. This crisp, Bush Vine Chenin Blanc displays clean, tropical and apple fruit flavours with a delicate mineral touch and wonderful balance.
This wine is made from older vines that cling to Simonsberg in the tiny, mountainous ward of Banhoek within Stellenbosch. Dry grown vines grow thin and weedy on these vertiginous slopes, but produce an excellent crop of grapes. These are then hand-picked, crushed and fermented at the Wildeberg winery. Location, location, location. That is the magic.
