The Grands Crus de Bordeaux are off to the World Cup
The World Cup has just kicked off and the whole world is buzzing with football fever! To mark the occasion, the Grands Crus de Bordeaux have decided to unveil their very own world-class line-up. It’s a starting eleven built around a very specific tactical approach: the players from the Left Bank naturally play on the left side of the pitch, while those from the Right Bank take care of the right flank. It’s all about attack, structure, depth and finish – it turns out that wine and football have more in common than you might think! Here’s a team that should go down well in the U.S.
Goalkeeper: Château d’Yquem (Sauternes)
The last line of defence has to be monumental. Like all of the great goalkeepers in footballing history, Château d’Yquem has stood the test of time without losing any of its charm. Yquem’s exceptional stamina allows it to power through extra time, without ever losing focus.
Left-back: Château Ferrande (Graves)
At left back, the dry white from Château Ferrande is a wine that truly means business! With a complex nose and bags of character, it knows a thing or two about destabilising the opposition. But this lively wine also has an attacking edge, with its mineral notes and all-round elegance
Right-back: Château Coufran (Haut-Médoc)
Coup franc is French for “free kick”, making Coufran a natural choice for our dead ball specialist. When it comes to set pieces, this Haut-Médoc is a force to be reckoned with; firing in shots and crosses with the same clinical precision exhibited by its peerless Merlot grapes!
Central defence: Château Phélan Ségur (Saint-Estèphe)
The backbone of our team. Focused, powerful, blessed with great stamina and guaranteed to age well. The opposition strikers have got their work cut out, against this imposing frame and seemingly boundless energy.
Central defence: Château La Conseillante (Pomerol)
Pure class from the Right Bank. A velvety texture that belies its remarkable strength. Always fair, never rough, this centre-back prefers to anticipate the play rather than stick the boot in.
Left wing: Château Gloria (Saint-Julien)
Château Gloria has already tasted victory before, when the Girondins de Bordeaux were crowned Champion under the leadership of their former chairman Jean-Louis Triaud. It was therefore only natural that this unstoppable Grand Cru should be our wild card on the left flank. Especially since, with a name like that, glory is never far away!
Right wing: Château-Figeac (Saint-Émilion)
Gameplay, precision, complexity: Château-Figeac is the wide-ranging playmaker that spots opportunities no one else sees. The longer the match goes on, the more its technical prowess becomes apparent.
Central midfield: Château Beychevelle (Saint-Julien)
Sitting just in front of the defence, this midfield general is the bridge between the two halves of the team. Château Beychevelle was an obvious choice: the château’s emblem is a ship, which serves as a reminder that it knows the Gironde Estuary inside out, and is adept at navigating between different styles of play. A born leader, Beychevelle brings balance and calm to the team.
Central midfield: Château Lafon-Rochet (Saint-Estèphe)
The rising star! Like the great midfielders of the modern age, Lafon-Rochet knows that it’s possible to stay true to your roots while keeping up with the times. Its style has become more refined, its tannins have softened and it has opened up. The result: a young player with a very promising future ahead.
Centre forward: Château Cantenac Brown (Margaux)
This prolific striker of Scottish descent is making a name for itself in the Premier League. It has to be said that this handsome, stylish forward has a lot of things going for it. Elegant, lively and bursting with energy in spite of its stately age, this is a Château guaranteed to turn heads in the U.S.
Centre forward: Domaine de Chevalier (Pessac-Léognan)
This white knight is a natural born goalscorer, with a crystal-clear attack. Lively, technically nuanced and flamboyant! What’s more, this Graves Grand Cru Classé is known for its winning spirit. A perfect fit for the number 9 jersey.
