England has cleared its way to the quarter finals after a storming high-altitude victory in Mexico City. The Azteca Stadium is perched at a dizzy 2,240 metres above sea level, so kudos to the team for adapting so quickly to the thinner air. England's next game takes place at a sweaty but less breathtaking 1.8 metres above sea level in Miami, and after they surge past Norway there, they'll be in the semis.
Uncorked has crunched the numbers and made its bets. We're putting Jabu's credibility on the line and naming the four teams we expect to see in the semi finals on the 14th and 15th of July. We've put together a mixed case with three bottles from each team, so you'll have something good to drink whoever wins. Then come back to us to load up on sparkling wine before the final. It's coming home! /NT
ENGLAND
M.V. Nyetimber Rosé
What better to toast an English victory than English sparkling wine? Like the team, Nyetimber are at the peak of their game, and this is English pink fizz par excellence. Rosehip and strawberry, with a salt-crusted mineral finish.
2021 Althorne Estate Chardonnay Crouch Valley
Althorne Estate lies in Essex's Crouch Valley, which regularly enjoys England's warmest temperatures and lowest rainfall. English winemaking is getting better and better, and a sample of the Althorne Estate Chardonnay stopped us in our tracks.
2020 Althorne Estate Pinot Noir Crouch Valley
Althorne also make that chimera, still English Pinot Noir. Think cranberry and plum with a grind of black pepper rounded out with a soft kiss of oak.
SPAIN
2025 Belondrade Quinta Apolonia Verdejo
Think bay and lemon in this vibrant, zesty expression of Rueda Verdejo. The crisp attack is followed by a certain creamy weight on the mid-palate, then a renewed jolt of energy on the finish.
2023 Palacio de Fefiñanes Albariño Rías Baixas
Fefiñanes are the oldest producer in Galicia's Rías Baixas, the first to bottle Albariño, and they're still at the head of the pack. Think yellow fruit, white flower, a leesy mid-palate and a touch of bitter almond on the finish in this textbook Albariño.
2021 Nerinterra Priorat
Black cherry and iris, bacon and candlewax, this is a beautiful, serious expression of Priorat, with a creamy richness across the mid-palate and a quartz-rock minerality on the finish.
ARGENTINA
2022 Mendel Apertura Malbec Mendoza
Mendel are based in central Argentina in the foothills of the Andes (at about half the altitude of the Mexico City Azteca Stadium), and they cultivate mature vineyards nourished by Andean meltwater. Apertura is a fruit-forward Malbec aged in old oak, ideal for a pre-match warm-up.
2021 Mendal Finca Mendel Malbec Mendoza
Finca Mendel is a more premium expression of Malbec, sourced from a plot planted in 1928 (the year Uruguay beat Argentina in the football final in the summer Olympics, two years before the first ever World Cup). Dark fruit, coffee and liquorice all show through in this velvety-textured wine.
2023 Bodega Noemia A Lisa Malbec Patagonia
Near the Patagonian town of Mainqué, the Río Negro cuts a swathe through the desert and makes viticulture possible. This is Malbec with a real delicate touch (like Lionel Messi).
FRANCE
N.V. Veuve Fourny Cuvée R Extra Brut
To rub salt in French wounds, you might like to toast their inevitable World Cup defeat to England with Champagne. Veuve Fourny's Cuvée R has rapidly become one of Uncorked's favourite Champagnes. R is for 'réserve' and the rich depth of flavour in this Blanc de Blancs sits in beautiful counterpoint to the extra brut dosage.
2023 P&M Jacqueson Rully 1er Cru Vauvry
Let's be honest for a minute, the French aren't half bad at football. And if there was a World Cup for wine, they'd always be carrying that home. P&M Jacqueson would be top of the Chalonnaise Burgundy league, scoring a blinder with this 2023 Vauvry. This is how to do Chardonnay.
2023 Vincent Dureuil-Janthial Bourgogne Rouge
Vincent Dureuil-Janthial is another star player in the southern Burgundy wine league. Chill out at half time with this sorbet-fresh raspberry and cranberry red Burgundy.
