One of the memories that I bought back from my first trip to South America in 1980 was that wherever you might be in the country-side of Brazil, Argentina, Chile or Peru, you would see the same scene. If there was a cleared and flat plot of land you would invariably notice two posts in the ground and children kicking a soccer ball.

Friday, June 13th was a happy day for Chile as they won their match with three goals against their opponent’s one and what better way to celebrate than with their unique grape called Carmenere. In the 1850’s this vine was imported from Bordeaux and then quite an interesting thing happened as it was inadvertently thought to be Merlot. It was picked along with the Merlot crop and the result was that Chilean “Merlot” took on a character of its own and not always in a favourable way.

In 1994 a researcher at Montpellier’s School of Oenology discovered that it was indeed the ancient Carmenere that was considered extinct, and no longer planted in Europe. In 1998 the Chilean Department of Agriculture gave recognition to it and now producers correctly leave the fruit on the vine to ripen longer than they did with Merlot and the result is a far better, and correctly labeled, wine.

In the late 1800’s the Undurraga Winery was established in Chile and they began their export trade in 1903 when they sent one case of Pinot Noir to all forty five existing states in the U.S.A. We stock their 2009 “Sibaris” Carmenere that sells for $15.30. Here is what Decanter Magazine had to say “4/5 stars – Lovely, grilled red pepper. Ripe, sweet fruit. Attractive, spicy, peppery mid-palate. Really good stuff”. You will also notice blackberry, coffee and chocolate flavours.

Argentina celebrated victory with two goals to one on Sunday, June 15th and of course I have to suggest Malbec as this grape soars in the highest vineyards in the World. Bodega Atamisque that is named after an indigenous bush that grows around the winery was founded by a Frenchman in 2002. It is one of the most “state of the art” wineries that I have visited anywhere; gravity fed, the finest French barrels and so on.

Critic Robert Parker said this of the Atamisque 2011 Malbec from the Uco Valley in Tupungato, which is a sub-division of Mendoza “This is not a fruit bomb but a wine of tremendous poise. On the nose there are alluring notes of violets, blackberries and dried fruits – figs and raisins – and subtle hints of mocha and tobacco. Unctuous array of black fruits and a lick of liquorice. Powerful but not over-bearing 93/100”. $24.30.

And then there was that goal in the first thirty seconds of the game and the two goals to one win by the United States of America. So many wines and styles, but let’s celebrate with one that has just arrived here this month.

Cline Cellars is only a forty five minute drive north of San Francisco and it sits in the beautiful Carneros region of Sonoma. Those of you who know me might accuse me of being a “tree hugger” as I am so concerned about the treatment of our environment and Cline feels that they go beyond organic with what they call the Green String method. They use no toxic chemicals for pest and weed control. Their soil is enhanced by compost teas, crushed minerals and ground-up oyster shells. Friendly insects control harmful ones and sheep the weeds and grass. Power is solar.

Cline is known for Rhone varietals and their 2012 Sonoma County Syrah sells for $17.65. Blueberry fruits are concentrated and this is underscored by cracked black pepper that signals a fine Syrah. I just may open a bottle while the U.S.A. takes on Portugal on Sunday.

This column is a paid advertorial for Burrows, Lightbourn Ltd.

Michael Robinson is Director of Wine at Burrows, Lightbourn Ltd. He can be contacted at mrobinson@bll.bm or on 295-0176. Burrows, Lightbourn have stores in Hamilton (Front Street East, 295-1554), Paget (Harbour Road, 236-0355) and St George’s (York Street, 297-0409). A selection of their wines, beers and spirits are available online at www.wineonline.bm.