What to Make of the World Cup…or Football?

Football (sorry…not “soccer” as we die-hards think there to be only one type of “football”) is without a doubt the most popular spectator sport across the World. For us in Hong Kong, after enjoying, and for supporters of certain teams, enduring, a long season, with the drama of the UEFA Champion League Final still sinking in, will it be too much of a good thing as World Cup 2026 is to kick-off in less than two weeks? Football has become such a big business too. There are more than a few questioning whether it is for financial greed that there has been an ever- growing number of tournaments which are getting bigger too. Arsenal played 63 matches in the 2025/26 season. World Cup 2026 now has 48 teams (from 32 last time) competing in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. Players can barely recover and with that the risk of injury will increase exponentially. There will be many sleepless nights so even the viewers will feel exhausted. Ahead of what could be an intense period, perhaps a few historical notes about the World Cup that may amaze you and hopefully also lighten you up a little?

1966 was when England hosted the World Cup. The Jules Rimet trophy (awarded to the winner of the tournament then to keep for the next four years) was transferred from Brazil in March under heavy security for exhibition at the Central Hall in Westminster. On March 20, the loss of the trophy was discovered by the guards. A ransom phone call was received subsequently. Scotland Yard caught the thief Ted Betchley a few days later. He was sentenced to two years in jail but refused to reveal the whereabout of the trophy. On the evening of March 27, the river barge worker David Corbett was walking his canine companion Pickles in South London when the somewhat mischievous collie started pulling out a heavy object wrapped in newspaper from the tightly planted bushes. The Jules Rimet trophy had been miraculously recovered. As reward, Mr. Corbert got £5,000 from the authorities and the Sherlock Holmes of the dog kingdom was presented a medal and a year’s of provisions by a pet food company. And England has been remembered to literally lose and win the World Cup within the same year!!!

The famous French existentialist philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre has been known as a master at stating the obvious. Among his various quotes there is this one: “In a football match, everything is complicated by the presence of the opposite team”. We shall find out the merit of that statement. Scotland travelled to play Estonia in October 1996 as each tried to qualify for a place in the 1998 World Cup to be hosted by France. The match was scheduled for the evening but Scotland was not satisfied with the very crude lighting system of the stadium and asked on matchday morning to have the kick-off brought forward to 3 pm. FIFA approved and the Scots duly lined themselves up at 3 pm. But the Estonians were not there. The referee blew the whistle to start and immediately after to end the match. Scotland was awarded a 3-0 victory as stipulated by regulations. The Estonians appealed on ground of not being given sufficient notice. FIFA eventually decided the match should be “replayed”, much to the annoyance of the Scottish. FIFA was spared with further embarrassment (and potential legal consequence) as Scotland did manage to qualify. And it certainly went to show things could be complicated even WITHOUT the presence of the opposite team!!!

Legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly famously remarked that it’s impossible to lose a game without conceding a goal. The excellent and somewhat enigmatic Derby County and Nottingham Forest manager Brian Clough revealed his number one strategy was to keep “a clean sheet”. While that may work for a “league format” tournament, the Swiss had their own bitter story to tell. During the 2006 World Cup, they drew 0-0 with France, beat each of Togo and South Korea 2-0 during the group stage to advance to the knock-out phase. Their next match with Ukraine ended 0-0 after extra time and the Swiss were eliminated by the eventual penalty-kicks. More than utter disappointment, the feat also earned the Swiss the unenviable record of being the only team without conceding during playing time and still got knocked out during a World Cup Final.

Anyway, time to turn to wines which can be a great companion while watching the World Cup on TV… and below are some of our recent additions:

2008 Deutz Cuvee William Deutz (WA95 HK$1,200/bottle) – From one of the greatest Champagne vintage, the white-golden 2008 Cuvee William Deutz offers a complex, concentrated and chalky bouquet, leading to a complex, very pure and persistent palate with a lovely slightly oxidative flavour. The finish is clear, fresh, long and very stimulating.   

2019 Domaine Guffens-Heynen Macon Pierreclos Premier Jus de Chavigne (WA95 at HK$1,200/bottle) – Wafting from the glass with aromas of orange oil, citrus zest, warm toast and pear, this excellent Burgundy white is medium to full-bodied. Immensely concentrated and complete, it's seamless and penetrating, underpinned by a tangy spine of acidity and concluding with a long, saline finish.    

2020 M. Chapoutier Saint-Joseph les Granits Blanc (WS95 at HK$480/bottle) – A decadent, big-boned white from Northern Rhone (France), with mineral intensity to match its weight. The flavour is one of white tea tannins that stitch together generous apricot, yellow apple, persimmon and almond, ending with a tug of warm earth on the long, impressive finish.

2020 Petit Gravet Aine (WA95-96 at HK$420/bottle) – Not under the radar of many, this good Bordeaux red needs a little swirling to unlock profound notions of preserved plums, blackberry jam and raspberry coulis, plus hints of tar, red roses and dried Provence herbs. The medium to full-bodied palate is elegantly crafted with tightly knit black fruit and savoury layers and very fine-grained tannins, lifted with seamless freshness, finishing long and earthy. It is a wine of great restraint and with a quiet intensity that will reward the patient. 

2018 Pavie Decesse (WA97 at HK$800/bottle) – This Bordeaux red, the good value sibling of Ch. Pavie, shows exuberant notes of stewed black and red cherries, plum pudding and blackberry preserves, leading to an undercurrent of Indian spices, cardamom, camphor and star anise, plus a waft of woodsmoke. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is completely coated with black fruit preserves and exotic spices, supported by a firm, velvety texture and bags of freshness, finishing on a lingering menthol note. It is absolutely scrumptious right now but will surely evolve to another level in the next 20 years.

2010 Les Forts de Latour (RP96 at HK$1,600/bottle) – We rarely recommend second wines as most tend to leverage on the reputation of the respective first wines and not offering enough value. Latour is the exception as this second wine, and the 2010 may well be its best ever, is sensational. Notes of graphite, crushed rocks, black fruits, camphor and damp forest notes are present in this expansive, savoury, full-throttle wine, which is better than many vintages of the great Latour itself.

2018 Rene Mure Clos Saint Landelin Pinot Noir (JS96 at HK$480/bottle) – Our continuous pursuit of good value Old World Pinots outside of Burgundy has led to this superb Alsatian (France) red with such a fragrant and seductive bouquet. The stunning balance of very fine tannins and delicate sweetness that pervades the very long and silky finish reminds one of a Grand Cru Musigny!!!

2024 Small Wonder Auburn Pinot Noir (WA96 at HK$220/bottle) – This Tasmanian (Australia) red represents the best from the winery as it leads with a nose of red berry fruits, black cherry, raspberry seed, forest moss, sweet pouch tobacco, icing-dusted raspberries, new leather and clove. The palate is silky, intense and focused, chalky and supple. It is excellent, in short, and totally pleasurable.

Thank you for reading. Please feel free to go to our website www.vinopolis.com.hk to browse the full wine list. Purchases can be made through the website or by sending us an e-mail or simply WhatsApp 9195-7383.