World Cup of Wines: Provence rosé, Swiss Syrah and English blanc de blancs – here are you wine pairings for each of the quarter-final matches
Margins become tighter, and pressure mounts as we rumble towards the quarter-finals now, with five winemaking nations still in play.
We're getting ever closer to that pivotal final match. Every step from the quarter finals onwards either brings further joy or empty despair.
Though might it be kinder to falter in these final stages and dream of what might have been than lose the last match of all and know you didn't make it?
Well, either way, we still have five wine teams in action from our pool: France, England, Argentina, Spain and Switzerland.
Which of them will we see again in the semi-finals? Hopefully these wine pairings will see you through a weekend of high drama and excitement.
And we recently bid farewell to two more of our original starting wine teams:
Portugal: Hearts broken yet again in a closely-fought match with Iberian neighbours, Spain. The mournful sound of fado is a popular musical genre for a reason. But they gave us some good wines along the way.
USA: No amount of presidential interference could ultimately save the USMNT from a four-goal thumping at the hands (and feet) of Belgium but here's hoping the host nation's wines have been redeemed in the eyes of many.
And if you feel the need for some... actual football analysis during this World Cup, do check in on our friends and colleagues over at FourFourTwo for all their updates and coverage.
Wine head-to-heads: Last 16
Wine-producing nations clashing in this week's games:
Argentina vs Switzerland
Izzy: England
England (vs Norway): Well, Sunday night was an absolute thriller which saw the team Mexican-wave their opponents goodbye to reach the quarter finals.
But now the Vikings are coming! The Vikings are coming!
Yes, rowing their way implacably into the quarter-finals, Saturday now brings a face-off with Norway. It’s like Lindisfarne all over again.
Here's hoping England can summon up the spirit of the Anglo-Saxons’ decisive victory against Hardrada's Norwegians at Stamford Bridge in 1066 (trying to forget that Harold Godwinson's army was then overcome by the Norman-French forces at Hastings soon afterwards!).
With English history in mind, try this fabulous Blanc de Blancs from Hambledon Estate, England’s oldest commercial winery, founded in 1952.
One of two Hambledon wines to win gold at this year’s Decanter World Wine Awards (it’s medal-winning wines only from here!) it’s floral, creamy and ‘very long and compelling’ – you’ll be enjoying a slice of heritage and a true English success story.
Hambledon Wine Estate, Blanc De Blancs Brut, Hampshire, England, United Kingdom, NV
Rupert: France
France (vs Morocco): After taking the outrageous slings and arrows of Paraguay in the last 16, France now face yet another familiar opponent in Morocco.
These two teams faced off in the semi-finals in 2022, where France emerged victorious 2-0. Will history repeat itself or will Morocco claim France like they did Spain in 2022 – and then go for a World Cup rematch against La Roja in this year’s semis?
All for the footballing gods to decide. But we can make a wine recommendation in the meantime.
Like Algeria, Morocco’s national dish is couscous. But, it is traditionally served on Fridays and this is a Thursday night game. Perhaps a tagine then?
A chicken tagine with preserved lemon and fragrant spices on a warm summer evening is calling out for a good glass of rosé.
Find yourself something really excellent from Provence, especially from the high quality appellation of Bandol.
This Mourvedre-driven blend is: ‘Spicy in flavour and texture. Full, richly fruited, with a food-friendly, dry finish.’
France 3 - Morocco 1...
Château Pradeaux, Bandol, Provence, France 2024
Ines: Spain
Spain (vs Belgium): The Iberian duel offered a great display of good if frustratingly guarded football.
In the end, Spain triumphed with a late goal, earning its quarter-final spot against Belgium.
In different circumstances one would see this as an easy path to the semi-finals; but considering what we’ve already seen in this World Cup – and La Roja’s own tentativeness and hiccups – it’s best not to jump into conclusions.
So how can Spain respond to Belgium’s surprising, unassuming efficacy? We’ll leave it to Luis de la Fuente to strategise on the pitch.
At this end, we counter the salty richness of some good moules-frites – even Belgium’s national dish is somewhat unlikely – with Rezabal’s Txakoli Rosé.
Maybe you didn’t know that the Basque specialty could also be pink? There you have it. Spain needs that element of surprise to win this game.
Rezabal, Txakoli Rosé, Txakolí de Getaria, Spain 2025
Mark: Switzerland
Switzerland (vs Argentina): And so, Switzerland have made it through to the proper business end, squeaking through on penalties against Colombia.
They may well be in need of more goalkeeping heroics as the next hurdle to be cleared is reigning champions Argentina in Kansas City and the seemingly evergreen Lionel Messi.
With temperature and stakes both raised, this is an ideal opportunity to channel your inner gaucho with a red meat-laden asado.
Eschew the obvious Malbec selection and instead tap into Switzerland’s wonderful cool-climate reds, such as the 2022 Christophe Abbet, Syrah from the Valais.
It bagged a Silver medal at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards, the judges praising its ‘palate of cassis, plum, damson and a lifted acidity’; perfect for pairing with those inch-thick steaks.
Christophe Abbet, Syrah, Not Applicable, Valais, Switzerland, 2022
Julie: Argentina
Argentina (vs Switzerland): Argentina had fans on the edge of their seats as they defeated Egypt 3-2 in a thrilling Round of 16 match, staging an astonishing late comeback from 2-0 down by scoring three goals in the final 13 minutes.
Kudos to goalscorers Cristian Romero, Enzo Fernández and of course, Lionel Messi. So now the fiery Latinos face off against the Alpine-cool Swiss in Kansas City – the scene of their opening match victory over Algeria.
Think Swiss cuisine and you probably think fondue and raclette, but El Montañista’s Criollas Blancas 2021 from Calingasta Valley in Mendoza will pair perfectly with rösti – delicious deep-fried potato cakes, originally served as breakfast to hungry farmers in Bern.
Fittingly, husband and wife winemakers Pancho Bugallo and Nuria Añó Gargiulo are avid mountaineers (montañistas) and their elegant skin-contact orange wine is textured and gently saline with delicate herbal, apple peel and nectarine flavours.
El Montañista, Criollas Blancas, Calingasta Valley, Mendoza, Argentina 2021
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