The Wines of Euro 2016
Unless you’ve spent the last week or so living under a particularly hefty rock, you’ll probably be aware of the fact that France is currently hosting the 2016 UEFA Euros – one of the more prestigious tournaments in a little-known game called ‘football’.
As we often like doing at SmoothRed, we’ve gone and thrown together a list of some dynamite wines to pair with some of the teams competing. For the sake of our own sanity, we’ll take one team from each group so that you’re not left scouring the local M&S for some obscure bottle of Ukrainian wine that we recommended. Give the following a go once you’re tired of the cheap lager – you won’t regret it.
Group A – France
The host country, at time of writing, are the only team to have qualified for the Round of 16, so kudos. Bordeaux City happens to be one of the ten cities at which the Euros are being played, so we can’t not take something from there. This Château Coufran 2004 might not conjure the best memories for France fans (2004 saw the team unceremoniously knocked out by eventual champions Greece) but the wine will more than make up for it – soft and smooth with a notable cedar influence and fantastic with a bit of cheese.
Group B – England
Always an adventure with this lot, isn’t it? Win or lose (and it’s usually one of those more than the other) it can’t hurt to cheer the side on with a bit of oenological support. We were tempted to try to find something from Rooney’s hometown, but Liverpudlian wines are hardly forthcoming. Instead, give this Chapel Down (that’s in Kent) a try. Very dry, distinctly characterful and far better than English wine has any right to be.
Group C – Germany
Don’t worry, we’ll be in more traditional wine territory after this. Germany’s last Euro win was in 1996, with the first golden goal to have decided a major competition in football history. It might be quite cheesy but let’s go with a golden wine to match. This Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling is refreshingly light, very floral and neither too sweet nor too dry. Perfect if the weather’s looking good.
Group D – Spain
Reigning champions for two years running and not doing too shabbily this year, either. Spain have had plenty of cause to celebrate in the last few Euros, so crack out the Cava – this Codorníu Selección Raventós is a total steal at only £9.99 considering the quality of the wine. It should be a nice pairing for tapas too, which we can attest to being one of the better-suited meals to have whilst watching football.
Group E – Italy
Italy’s first goal of the tournament came from Sunderland striker Giaccherini, born in a little town in Tuscany. That ought to be enough of an excuse to try out this Dogajolo Carpineto, a so-called ‘Baby Tuscan’, made in the same style as the Super Tuscans which put the region on the map, but available at a much more affordable price. Have it with pizza.
Group F – Portugal
At last we come to Portugal, the only team on this list who are not, at time of writing, at the top of their group, having been pipped by Hungary thanks to a draw against Iceland in their first game. Still, it’s not all bad – at least they’ve got this Casal de Ventozela. Vinho Verde is a famously likeable type of wine and this one in particular, driven by its apple and melon flavours, will do more than just fine. Hopefully, the same can be said of Portugal themselves.
