WineTourism’s World Cup of Wines 2022
The World Cup is always an event that attracts millions of people to the host country and gets fans from all over the world to cheer for their country. Football superstars take on the pitch to bring back home the golden trophy and to be remembered alongside the best of the best.
Many of the countries that qualified for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar are also wine-producing countries, with many different wine-making traditions and wine cultures. To celebrate World Cup month, we imagined a team made up of the wine countries that this year travelled to Qatar and assigned a role to all of them. Do you agree with our picks?
France - the playmaker
Clearly, that one player makes a difference on the pitch, and in the winery. There is actually nothing France can’t do, from light to full-bodied reds, incredible white wines and first-class sparkling wines. The playmaker is, in every team, the most creative guy, the one that is good at everything and they know it. A mix of talent and hard work, just like French vignerons, who can make the crowds go wild with a glass of anything.
Plus, at this year’s World Cup, France has the chance to get all the spotlight because the other playmaker, with which it has a love-hate relationship, is missing due to a huge hangover. Can you guess who?
Discover where to drink French wines
Poland - the third goalkeeper
Being a not-too-well-known wine country, in a World Cup squad, Poland will be called up as the third goalkeeper, a figure that gets very little possibility to shine. However, this year after the call-ups, Poland had to take the place of the designed second goalkeeper who’s missing the World Cup, Hungary. That’s why this is the year we should all give a chance to the Polish wine culture to prove itself as a rising star in the complex puzzle of the European wine industry.
Discover wineries in Poland
Portugal - the striker
Like the goalkeeper, the striker has basically one goal (pun intended): to score. Footballers that play in the attack are physically very strong and quick guys who can throw the ball in at any time. Basically, they only do one thing well but at least they’re good at it, just like the beautiful country of Portugal makes Porto. Winemakers in the Porto wine region know they are the best and nobody can get to their level.
But never underestimate all the other skills of a striker that often thrives at World Cups, as you never should underestimate the high-quality wine production that goes on from north to south Portugal.
Discover where to drink the best wines in Portugal
Argentina - the left or right-back
The left and right backs are known in football for being very tough, dynamic and often pretty spectacular to watch, just like experiencing a glass of delicious Argentinean Malbec in the Mendoza wine region. In the wine World Cup, Argentina started as a sub but throughout the years made its way to the first team together with the old wine world countries. Winemakers around Argentina worked really hard to keep up with new technologies in wine production, but with an eye on tradition. Indispensable for the team.
Discover where to drink wine in Argentina
Germany - the goalkeeper
In football, goalkeepers have one task only, keeping the ball out of the goal and in most cases, footballers that take up that position are those that were clearly born for it. In other words, goalkeepers do one thing, but they know how to do it. In the same way, winemakers around Germany know one thing or two about how to make delicious, fresh and aromatic white wines. As a wine country, Germany might not have the same wide portfolio as other countries, but it has its very own talent in the production of Riesling and other whites. The perfect refreshment after a last-minute World Cup save on the line.
Australia - left or right wing
Hardworking, fast and talented. The three main characteristics of winger and the top are three adjectives to describe Australian winemakers. Coming from a rugby culture, Australians know how to make a good run and get the attention they deserve for their skills. Both when playing at a World Cup and when producing delicious red and white wine. In the past decades the growth in the quality, of wine and football, is noticeable and that’s why a visit to a few wineries in Australia will leave you happy and cheerful. Go Straya.
Belgium - the midfielder
In the World Cup of wines, Belgium is the midfielder who tries really hard to make it to the starting 11 but always gets overshadowed but its club’s teammate: France. Indeed, having such a famous and renowned neighbour does not make it easy for Belgian winemakers to present their wines to a wider audience even though a trip to discover wineries in Belgium is totally worth it.
Spain - the centre forward
Talented and brilliant, center-forward Spain always gets the job done in leading the attack together with their neighbour Portugal. A country with so much biodiversity and top-quality wine production deserves to always be appreciated, however, sometimes they don’t get the recognition they deserve. It might be because they get overshadowed by the strong character of Portugal or the talent of playmaker France. Nonetheless, Spain is a wine country where incredible red, white and sparkling wines are produced and today, thanks to a decade’s long work of Spanish winemakers, are now getting more and more attention on an international level. Scores a brace in the semi-final giving his team access to the final.
Discover wineries in Spain
Switzerland - the sub-centre back
Switzerland sits on the bench just because the competition for the starting 11 is very fierce but even when put on the sideline, this country knows what to do and puts all the hard work in. Gorgeous wineries, fertile terroir and the elegant Swiss touch, make wines from Switzerland really interesting and appealing to wine lovers from all around the world. At the World Cup it gets to train alongside France and Germany, what a privilege.
Discover where to drink Swiss wines
Canada - the co-manager
Chosen directly by the head-coach USA, Canada makes it to the World Cup of wines as one of the less-known countries. Unlike in the USA, viticulture is still not that widespread throughout Canada mainly because of the extreme climate conditions that many regions experience. However, in regions like Ontario or the area close to Niagara Falls, local winemakers are always at work to develop a higher quality for their wines. Practice makes perfect.
Mexico - the midfielder
It is said that one of the first vineyards of the northern part of the American continent was planted here, in Mexico. Even though today the country does not have the same reputation as other World Cup of wines teammates from the same continent, the ability of Mexican winemakers to produce high-quality red and white wines in such a tough and challenging climate it’s worthy of any skilled midfielder who always finds a way to play for the team. The dark horse among the American countries.
United Kingdom - the sub defender
British people invented football, gin, the pale ale style and are keen tea drinkers. But when it comes to wines, we can say that they are not World Cup class even though wine making practices are starting to become more and more popular in the UK. To put it in football terms, the UK (which actually took part in this year’s World Cup with two teams, England and Wales) is that one sub-defender who gets in for an injured teammate and despite the low expectations, makes a good job.
Discover wineries in the United Kingdom
Croatia - the sub
At the World Cup of wines, Croatia sits on the bench together with the UK, and patiently waits for its moment to shine. Like many countries on the Adriatic Sea, Croatia has a favourable climate for viticulture and winemakers are able to grow healthy grapes to produce delicious wines. Unknown to the less experts, Croatia is that one sub who comes in towards the end of the match, scores a last-minute header and makes you win.
Uruguay - the sub-right-back
Argentina’s younger neighbour is still learning how to master one of the toughest positions on the pitch. Everybody can see how they are emerging as talented and humble in the new world of wine countries. In football, Uruguay might be a veteran of World Cups, but when it comes to wines, wineries in Uruguay are still looking to attract tourists and wine enthusiasts. Give it a go, you won’t be disappointed.
Discover wineries in Uruguay
USA - the manager
Ever since they gained recognition in the wine world, the USA has managed to set trends, change names to grapes and created a whole new way of experiencing wine tourism. That is why there is no other position they could take up in a World Cup-winning team than the manager. Now it’s them that make the rules, and the others follow their lead. The playmaker and the rest of the old world of wine block try to give the manager a hard time, but with no success.
Discover where to drink wine in the USA
Netherlands and Denmark - the young defenders
The young guys who get called up to complete the team and are at the World Cup to learn from their older and more expert teammates. Wine speaking both have great potential and you should put on your list a visit to a winery in the Netherlands or in Denmark, or both, while on your next trip to northern Europe. Young and promising.
Discover where to drink wine in the Netherlands and Denmark
Brazil: All time winner, upcoming sparkling land?
If you know football, you know Brazil, that's for a fact. From world icons like Pelé to outstanding players such as Ronaldo Nazário or even Ronaldinho, and new stars like Neymar, Alisson and Richarlison, the country shines on the field and is a pleasant surprise for sparkling wines. Regions like Serra Gaúcha and Vale dos Vinhedos in the South are good treasures that you might want to try. Maybe on your next trip to Rio, extend your visit to enjoy a new style of wine tasting and tour. Are they winning the sixth title this time?
Discover where to drink wine in Brazil
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