Prandelli selected 27 players. We selected 7. Fifa World Cup 2014 has officially begun and we propose 3 + 4 bottles to accompany the cheering and the tension that we’ll get stuck with over the next month. These are all Italian wines and they are all wines that we enjoy drinking again and again. They are champions, they are our national team. They are the wines we would take to Brazil. They are the wines to remember, no matter what happens.
England
For the Azzurri’s debut we chose a good dose of humbleness with one of the most popular wines in our peninsula: lambrusco. Among the various varieties of this grape that can be found between Mantua, Parma, Reggio and Modena we chose one that is hardly sweet but in fact is as acid as an interview with Balotelli. Kick off with Lambrusco di Sorbara Falistra by Podere il Saliceto di Campogalliano, a bottle-fermented wine with a high refreshing potential.
Cabernet Franc Duemani 2009 from Riparbella (Pi) should guide us on the triumphal march against the less favourite Costa Rica
Costa Rica, on paper, is the Cinderella in our round. However, since we prefer crime news to fairy tales, while waiting for the match we will open a bottle of
Cabernet Franc Duemani 2009 da Riparbella (Pi), vinified in cement tanks. We will let it decant during the hymn and make it turn in the glass, hoping that Cinderella will be cornered straight away.
Uruguay
We will face two goal scorers such as Cavani and Suarez. We will reply with Cannonau Pusole 2012, a ruby yet transparent cannonau. A wine in which style and freshness dominate over the control-free power that is often typical of this variety. This cannonau, rather than a cannon, is a precision rifle. And Pusule certainly has good feet.
Last-sixteen
For the beginning of the second phase, one needs something fresh, some bubbles that will make us celebrate a little for having reached the first goal, but that will also lead us straight back to the green field. The wine we chose has been maturing on the lees since the last World Cup. It’s D’Araprì’s Riserva Nobile 2010. A Metodo Classico made in Apulia, on the heel of Italy, with Bombino grapes. Without excessive luxury or frills, but straightforward and full of talent.
D’Araprì’s Riserva Nobile 2010, with bombino grapes from Apulia, awaits us for the last-sixteen. Hoping no cork has betrayed us in the eliminatory rounds...
We still haven’t spoken about the great Brazilian heat. Will our guys suffer from this? Or will the adrenalin prevail? We know that we are also sweating, like mad. And it’s also thanks to them. On our coffee table, we place a wine that is born in the “oven of Abruzzo”, a valley with a desert-like temperature range, namely
Cataldi Madonna’s
Pecorino 2008, a white wine the colour of gold and with a super body.
Semi-finals
Here one can see who is really talented, who knows how to transform its dedication into a national dream. The choice was not easy. Verdicchio di Jesi Classico Superiore, Vigna della Oche 2011 by Fattoria San Lorenzo stood out, among those left on the bench, thanks to its popularity and its character. Whoever tastes it, would buy the whole card. Try out its progression. It always scores or places an assist.
Finals
In order to keep calm, lets get distracted with a few rituals. The choice of the right glass, a professionally made uncorking, in no rush. And oxygenation. This is essential for the football fanatic and also for this Derthona 2011 by Vigneti Massa, a 100% timorasso that is a champion of power, minerality and vision. This is the wine that many people would like to train and to grow. Try it over the 90 minutes. You will discover it still has lots to give, even during a possible extra time. And what about penalty kicks? What, does anyone drink then?
