Why not print this page off as your shopping list?
Links to the left feature an archive of previous round-ups.

week beginning 10/09/2007

the Times - Jane MacQuitty

fat, spicy, verdant, principally verdejo-based Spanish white

lifted by a splash of syrah to deliver ripe, plummy, exotic fruit

smoky scent, sweet, grainy red fruits and ripe velvety finish

glorious, fine, fat, violet-scented briary red

oozes elegant, scented, steely, hazelnut, lemon and glacé fruit spice

nutty, stone fruit-layered complexity from the arneis grape

the Sunday Times - Joanna Simon

Fresh, grapefruity, softly nutty and creamy. Drink within a year

Honeyed, spicy, mineral. Delicious now and for at least two years

Distinctive Italian red: earthy cherry and dark chocolate flavours

the Independent - Anthony Rose

vivid, spicy blackberry-fruit flavours; long-lasting impression

scented, crisp dry riesling.

aromatic, peppery red, with intense black fruits and supple tannins

the Observer - Tim Atkin

Spicy, meaty

elegant, peppery

richer style; rich, chocolatey

powerful, densely fruity

the Telegraph - Jonathan Ray

Argentina (50-1) Its rugby team is getting better and better, as are its wines. Grab some peachy, citrussy Torrontés, Argentina's "signature" grape, or some beefy Malbecs or Syrahs and watch the Pumas confound the critics.
Australia (12-1) Trays of Castlemaine, Fosters, Coopers and Tooheys are flying off the shelves, but since the Wallabies could go all the way you will need to be well stocked with wine, too. For the quarter-finals put the Yellow Tail Bubbles on ice; for the semis Green Point Brut and, for the final, Clover Hill Brut.
Canada (5,000-1) Forget dreary Molson and Labatt lager and grab some Canadian wine. A soft, mellow red or aromatic white from British Columbia should help ease the pain of defeat. Save the nectar that is Inniskillin's sparkling Icewine for when Canada reach the final. Ha!
England (25-1) In the event of victory a fine sparkler such as Nyetimber, Chapel Down, RidgeView or Balfour Brut Rosé will be needed. In the event of defeat lots of London dry gin or copious quantities of fine English bitter.
Fiji (1,000-1) Mouth-numbing Yaqona, aka Kava (see Samoa and Tonga). Etiquette demands that on drinking it one should clap hands once and down it in one, after which everyone else claps three times and laughs uproariously at your folly.
France (10-1) So much to choose from (see venue guide, below) but in the event of the hosts doing well, it has to be the finest Champagne.

the Guardian - Victoria Moore

makes its presence felt; reminds you that champagne is a wine

warm ripeness of cooked pears; crisp, clean finish

robust, blood-and-guts warmth. Drinking, more than thinking wine

Very aromatic; lively citrus with some florality and a richer undertow