Today’s game to watch is Argentina vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina / ESPN 2:30 PST

Argentina: Nifty facts to know about Argentina and wine before today’s kick-off. First, the country is the fifth largest producer of wine in the world. Second, the country ranks third in consumption of wine with an average of 41 liters per person; in contrast, the US average is closer to 7 liters per person. So with that being said, the national Argentinean soccer team is not only hungry, but also very thirsty for their third world title at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

To get ready for the first match with Bosnia-Herzegovina (the former country of Yugoslavia) on Sunday June 15 and the other scheduled matches against Iran and Nigeria; I would suggest priming the palate with a refreshing Argentinean white wine like the Susana Balbo 2013 Torrontes, which features fragrant floral aromas and fruit-driven flavors of citrus blossom, white peach, melon and ripe pear; zippy acidity; and a nice crisp finish.

Once the game gets started and the tension starts to build, I’d suggest moving on to a more powerful and complex wine like the Bodega Colomé 2010 Estate Malbec, a complex Malbec with smaller portion of Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petit Sirah grown in the high-elevation region of Mendoza. Deep flavors of dark cherry, black raspberry, ripe currants, licorice, fresh herbs, lavender, violets and cracked pepper. Full-bodied, aggressive, and a classy finish that reminds me of an iron fist in a velvet glove. Now let’s see if the team can perform as well as this wine!

Bosnia-Herzegovina: While it’s true that Argentina is a formidable force in the world of wine and highly favored to win this game; Bosnia-Herzegovina’s secret weapon is Žilavka, a dynamic white grape that is indigenous to the southern part of the country. Via DNA, the grape variety is linked to the Prosecco and often compared to the famous Hungarian white varietal Furmint. But unlike the light fruity flavors of its Italian and Hungarian relatives, Žilavka has a deeper, richer profile with high acid and nutty flavors. The best example I’ve tasted is the Brkic 2010 Greda, an elegant white wine crafted by Josip Brkic and his family who grows the grapes on the unique limestone plateaus in the Mostar region in southern Bosnia-Herzegovina. Imported to the US by Blue Danube Wines, the wine features complex flavors of dried apricot, citrus, melon, pear and white pepper. Random and delicious; but definitely worthy of trying if you can get your hands on a bottle.