Mixing and matching

Have you lined up the sofa perfectly with the TV? Bought in sufficient stocks of beer, wine, crisps and pizzas? And, most importantly, have you taken your loved one out for a good dinner before this football frenzy starts? Don't forget, it is the loved ones of this world who will be topping up supplies, cooking suppers and generally clearing up while the post-match celebrations or commiserations take place.

And while supermarkets have stacks of beer at bargain prices, a few strategic wines could help you enjoy the match more, even if the

goals don't always go in the right net.

For a start, you will need a good supply of South African wine to act as backdrop to the matches. The quality of wine from the Cape has improved dramatically over the last 20 years, and they are now making wine that can stand alongside the best in the world. The stunning South African scenery will make you want to spend your next holiday there, so you might as well try a few wines in advance of your trip.

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My top choice for good value drinking is Porcupine Ridge (Sainsbury 6.99) which comes as a crisp, pineapple-infused Sauvignon Blanc, a well-structured, cassis-flavoured Cabernet, or my favourite of all, a deep, opulent, peppery Syrah (Waitrose 6.99).

This brand started off as the second wine of top-quality Boekenhoutskloof, but grew to the point where grapes had to be sourced elsewhere. Now there is a completely new winery being built to accommodate production, but the quality has remained steadfastly high.

While you are in Sainsbury, make sure you pick up a few bottles of Beyerskloof Pinotage 2008 which is on offer down from 6.79 to a bargain 5 until mid-July. This is chock-full of black cherry and damson fruit, layered with subtle oak and wrapped around with soft, supple tannins. This is a great barbecue wine, since it already has a touch of smokiness which combines wonderfully with a slightly burnt sausage or chicken leg.

So with the basics sorted, now is the time to finesse your drinking with a selection that reflects the players on the pitch, and this afternoon's Argentina match against Nigeria will give us all a chance to see if Maradona's team have brought along the Hand of God for use in emergencies.

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With a glass of Asda's Torronts 2009 (4.47) in your hand, you can enjoy the light spice and summer-garden freshness of the wine while you prepare yourself for the real kick-off this evening.

Our game tonight against the US provides the perfect opportunity to drink English. You may have heard jokes about English wines in the past, but the embarrassing phase of this home-grown industry is over, and the wines turning out for England are pretty good.

Marks & Spencer has a simply delicious English Ros 2009, sourced from Chapel Down vineyards in Kent (9.99, large stores only) with light, crisp, delicate wild-strawberry fruit. It won't last through to half-time, but it has enough flavour for the warm-up.

The real excitement comes from England's sparkling wines, which have challenged French champagne in blind tastings, and, on occasions, they have even won. Try Marks & Spencer's English Sparkling Ros (18.99) which appears to be pale and delicate but has a surprising amount of ripe, raspberry and cream fruit.

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Waitrose tries to stock local English wines in its stores, but so far Yorkshire wines are not among them, but it does have Ridgeview Merret Bloomsbury 2007(19.99) from Sussex, which has an elegant, toasted-biscuit style.

Tomorrow's Germany v Australia match could see a real challenge in flavour terms. Germany has the impressive Riesling on its team, with lively, zesty flavours, but that might struggle to

show well against Australia's bigger, broader style.

Try Reinhartshausen Riesling Kabinett 2007 from the Co-op (9.99) for zesty apricot fruit with an overlay of garage forecourts and a steely finish. This is a dry wine, edged with just a touch of sweetness and is perfect to accompany a Chinese take-away.

Australia should be represented by the dense, ripe black cherry and mulberry fruit of The Lodge Hill Shiraz 2007 from Jim Barry in Clare Valley (Majestic down to 7.99 on multibuy). Germany may win on skill, but Australia will win on substance.

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There just has to be Italian wine in your glass for Monday's fixture of Italy v Paraguay, but with a clear eye on England's prospects, confine your drinking to the wines of Friuli-Venezia- Giulia in north-east Italy, which is where Fabio Capello comes from.

The wine from this region is up-market, well-made and expensive and the flavours are delicate and refined, so try a glass of Pinot Grigio 2008 from Di Lenardo (9.95 Field and Fawcett) and enjoy the precise flavour combination of pear, quince and acacia flowers.

Portugal has been improving its wine skills in recent years and there are some cracking wines to accompany Tuesday's match against the Ivory Coast.

Head to The Halifax Wine Company (www.halifaxwinecompany.com) and the wines of the Douro, such as the black fruits and savoury chocolate flavours of Meandro 2006 (14.95). Alternatively, you could uncork a bottle of Taylor's 10-year Tawny port (widely available around 19.99) and match it to a range of cheeses.

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With five wine-making countries and one rum producer taking to the pitch on Wednesday, it might be difficult to choose the right drink.

Chile should win against Honduras on versatility and flavour, Spain should obliterate Switzerland with its Riojas and, as host nation, the finesse of South African wines should outweigh the chunky Uruguayan style. But the scoreboard may not follow the wines.

So what should you drink when the game looks set to end in a penalty shoot-out? Try a glass or two of D'Arenberg's Last Ditch Viognier 2008 (10.99 Nidderdale Fine Wine). It is an intensely-flavoured white wine, with creamy apricot fruit and a long, citrusy finish.

As an alternative, try shots of vodka with each kick. The result may not go the way you want, but the vodka will help numb the disappointment.

YP MAG 12/6/10