Archive for 17/06/2010

Day Six - Honduras, Chile, Spain, Switzerland, South Africa, Uruguay

Nothing could have prepared us for the results on Day Six of South Africa 2010, but at least we were ready with the food!

Spain and Switzerland provided the food, in the styles of: Roasted Peppers in Olive Oil and Patatas Bravas served with anchovies and Manchego cheese; Bratwurst mit Rosti, all washed down with Vina Tarapaca Reserva Chardonnay 2008 from Chile and the remarkable Pizzorno Don Prospero Sauvignon 2008 from Uruguay. This small country of less than 3.4m people has not only produced a great footballing side, led by none other than my old United mate Diego Forlan, it has also become of the rising stars of the wine world. Look out for some of these amazing wines.

Pudding was provided by Coconut Bread from Honduras with Moscatel de Valencia on ice.

Day Five - Brazil, PR Korea, Ivory Coast, Portugal, New Zealand, Slovakia

To celebrate the arrival of one of the tournament favourites, Brazil, we had to go the extra mile.

An aperitif took the form of Cloudy Bay Pelorus 2001, served with slivers of Saeng Sun Jim, (Korean Braised Sea Bass); Brazilian Bistecca de Porco Frita, (pan fried on the barbecue pork steak), served with a wicked Portuguese Piri-Piri sauce from the ‘old country’; Slovakian Bublanina, (bubble cake), and more lovely fresh fruit, this time from the Ivory Coast.

Day Four - Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon, Italy and Paraguay

So, into the start of the second week at South Africa 2010 and further challenges abounded. We went with delicious seafood sushi accompanied by Pinot Grigio Santa Margherita 2008; Smoked Danish Bacon Steaks in rich BBQ sauce, baked potatoes with matured Leerdammer cheese, mango in balsamic vinegar with Castel del Monte 2006 and fresh fruit dusted with Fairtrade Chocolate.

The evening brought us Caldo de Zapallo Tierno, a rather tasty courgette and cheese soup from Paraguay.

Day Three - Algeria, Slovenia, Serbia, Ghana, Germany and Australia

Day Three certainly presented something of a challenge, but I believe we were up to it.

The day began with Bratwurst, served with Katoffelsalat, Brotchen and Senf, (sausages, potato salad, rolls and German mustard), served with a rather nice Slovenian Sauvignon/Laski Riesling blend. Swiftly followed by Makroud el Louse - delicious almond biscuits from Algeria, prepared by my wife’s own fair hand. The evening’s fayre gave us barbecued king prawns, minute steaks and Angove Estate Trebbiano followed by Charles Melton Rose of Virginia 2009. Exotic mango fruit salad completed the Ghanaian offering.

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