The aim of this meeting was to try to predict the outcome of the football world cup by tasting a wine selected from each of eight countries. The winner of each match was decided by a vote of members after tasting each wine.
The qualifying round matches were:
France v USA
Germany v England
Spain v Australia
Portugal v Argentina
The semi-finals matches were:
USA v England
Australia v Argentina
The final was:
England v Argentina
The winner after a penalty shootout was England.
Below are the wines that represented the eight countries.
Les Caves Richemer Piquepoul 2021
This wine is from the Languedoc-Roussillion region of France. It is produced in a state-of-the-art winery to give it a zingy and citrusy flavour. It is the perfect partner for seafood.
Available from Majestic Wines.
TYPE White
GRAPE Piquepoul
ABV 12.5%
UNITS 9.4
COUNTRY France
McManis Family Estate Viognier 2020
This Viognier is produced from the vineyard by the 5th generation of the family. It has aromras of peach, pear and apricots and notes of stone fruit and vanilla with a touch of minerality.
Available from Majestic Wines.
TYPE White
GRAPE Viognier
ABV 13.5%
UNITS 10.1
COUNTRY California, USA
Kendermanns Reisling Kabinett 2021
This Reisling Kabinett is delightfully fragrant with aromas of peach, appple and grapefruit. It is off-dry to taste with a crisp lick of acidity. Goes well with spicy dishes such as Thai Green Curry.
Available from Majestic Wines.
TYPE White
GRAPE Reisling
ABV 8.5%
UNITS 6.4
COUNTRY Rheinhessen, Germany
Chapel Down Flint Dry 2021
This wine is made from various grape varieties predominantly Chardonnay and Pinot. It has aromas of elderflower, minerals and a slight smokiness. It goes well with white meats, seafood and salads.
Available from Majestic Wines.
TYPE White
GRAPE Huxelrebe
ABV 12.5%
UNITS 9.4
COUNTRY Kent, England
Bodegas Volver 'Tarima' Monastrell 2020
This wine has vivid colours and a complex structure. The powerful fruit flavours of bramble and dark cherry are lifted by an elegant floral finish. Goes well with rice dishes, cured cheeses, mushrooms and red meat.
Available from Majestic Wines.
TYPE Red
GRAPE Monastrell
ABV 14.5%
UNITS 10.9
COUNTRY Alicante, Spain
Copper Kingdom Shiraz 2017
The name came from the copper mining in the Barossa area. This is a Shiraz that is big and bold and packed with intense black fruit flavour. It is a rich Shiraz with notes of black pepper and ripe dark fruits. Goes well with sizzling barbecued steak.
Available from Majestic Wines.
TYPE Red
GRAPE Shiraz
ABV 14.5%
UNITS 10.9
COUNTRY Barossa Valley, Australia
Behind Closed Doors Reserva 2019
This is blend of four varieties of grape, Touriga Nacional, Tinto Roriz, Syrah and Alicante Bouschet. It is bold and powerful and full of plum, blackberry and vanilla.
In 2022 this wine won an IWC award for the 2019 vintage.
Available from Majestic Wines.
TYPE Red
GRAPE Touriga Nacional
ABV 14.5%
UNITS 10.9
COUNTRY Lisboa, Portugal
Vinalba 'Parrilla' Malbec 2020
A 'Parrilla' is an Argentinian grill, and this wine was created with steak in mind. It is dark, bold and complex with lots of black fruit, plum and toasty vanilla oak. Goes well with steak and sausages.
Available from Majestic Wines.
TYPE Red
GRAPE Malbec
ABV 14.5%
UNITS 10.9
COUNTRY Mendoza, Argentina
