The World Cup starts on Friday, and in addition to showcasing countries with world-class soccer (or football… or fútbol) teams, many of the participants are two-way players—they also create world-class wines.

Of the 32 countries in the tournament, at least 15 produce wines known around the world, and a few others (Slovenia, for example) have been making wine for centuries, but are just starting to gain attention on a global scale.

Here at Just Grapes, we’ve highlighted some of our favorites to pair with the countries you’re rooting for (or against) over the next month, and because there are so many to feature, we’ll break them down into a handful (not handball) of postings. Today, we start with:

Argentina – A Malbec as breathtaking as a Lionel Messi “golazo”:

2007 Mendel Malbec, Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza Argentina [$21.59]

Mendel’s 2007 Malbec was sourced from a 45-acre parcel of 80-year-old vines in Lujan de Cuyo and aged for 12 months in French oak. Purple-colored, it displays an alluring bouquet of cedar, spice box, violets, and black cherry. Medium-bodied and elegant on the palate, it has plenty of savory fruit, cinnamon and allspice notes, excellent depth and concentration, and a fruit-filled finish. 90 Pts – Robert Parker

Italy – A Chianti worthy of the defending World Cup champs:

2005 Casalvento Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy [$19.99]

Fabulous, classy aromas of crushed berries, strawberry and cherry. Full-bodied, with wonderfully polished tannins and subtle yet generous fruit character. This is all in balance. What a Chianti Classico should be. Best from 2010 through 2015. Only 200 cases imported.

France - No ifs, ands, or head-butts about this Bordeaux blend:

2006 Chateau de Braude Haut Medoc, Bordeaux France [$23.19]

A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot, it is dark ruby garnet in color and displays complex aromas of blackcurrants, violets, leather and tobacco. On the palate, it boasts highly concentrated black fruit flavors, supple mouth feel, firm tannic structure and a long finish. Château de Braude is part of the superb estate of Château Mongravey but has a different name because it is located in the Haut Médoc AOC.

Portugal – Finishes a meal like Cristiano Ronaldo finishes goalies:

Fonseca Bin No.27, Port, NV, Portugal, 750ml [$17.99]

Fonseca Bin No. 27 was created over a century ago for family consumption, and only released commercially in 1972. It is produced primarily from wines from Fonseca’s own quintas in the Cima Corgo and thus shows an exceptional quality and consistency from year to year.

The weather is scorching here in Chicago, which is a great primer for Memorial Day weekend, and the official return of outdoor grilling in the Windy City. Whether you’re the grillmaster executing the perfect menu for your friends and family, or you’re stuck at someone else’s party with a blowhard who confuses burning with barbecue, you can improve any meal by matching the perfect wine to food that’s been flamed. Here are four of our favorites at Just Grapes:

Steak and Burgers + 2008 Flor De Pulenta Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza, Argentina [$14.39]
If you find yourself addicted to California Cabs, why not give this a try from Argentina? I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by what this wine has to offer. A nice big, jammy Cab with some interesting earthy smoke and baking spice notes. Throw a steak on the grill and sip this while you’re cooking… then try it with the steak. So much fun! – Maggie’s Staff Pick. 88 Pts – Robert Parker

Barbecued Ribs + 2008 R Wines “Southern Belle” Shiraz, McLaren Vale, South Australia [$19.99]
The 2008 Southern Belle Shiraz was aged in seasoned oak including some ex-bourbon barrels. A glass-coating opaque purple, it displays a nearly room-filling nose of smoke, game, incense, and blueberry that leaps from the glass. Opulent and full-bodied on the palate, it lacks only complexity. Drink it over the next 6-8 years. It is an outstanding value. 90 pts – Wine Advocate

Grilled Salmon + 2007 Bird “Old Schoolhouse Vineyard” Big Barrel Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand [$19.99]
The 2007 Old Schoolhouse Vineyard Big Barrel Pinot Noir fulfills its promise out of barrel last year, this has a great sense of transparency on the nose with cranberry, raspberry and redcurrant fruit with understated use of oak. This is how Pinot should be. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and quite peppery on the entry, leading to rounded red-berried fruit. There is raspberry and cranberry with a peppery/spicy edge reappearing toward the finish. Nicely balanced, very pure and utterly charming. 90 Pts – Robert Parker

Grilled Fruit Skewers + 375ml 2005 Fonseca Quinta de Panascal Portugal [$19.19]
Structured, complex wine that is only just beginning to hint at considerable depth of powerful, rich flavors. The structure is dry, a little lean, but with dense tannins. The fruit, rich plums and stone fruits is just coming through. 91 Pts – Wine Enthusiast

But have you ever licked the spice off the top of a truffle? Inhaled cacao? Plucked the candied violet off a chocolate and let it dissolve on your tongue?

The artisans at Vosges Haut Chocolat have. Last night they shared this exquisite experience with a roomful of wine and chocolate aficianados at Just Grapes to witness the marriage of two very lavish indulgences.

We learned that in some relationships, opposites attract. The effervescence and crispness of the bone-dry MV Roederer Estate Sparkling sliced right through the sweet creaminess of the Vosges Ambrosia white truffle, a perfect ying and yang on the tongue.

Other times, it helps to have a lot in common. The MV Stefano Farina Moscato, Asti, from Piedmont was fairly screaming coconut, which was also the strongest flavor in the Vosges Naga truffle under the curry.

Each is a perfect example of one of the basic tips for food and wine pairing that Just Grapes sommelier Don Sritong described at the beginning of the evening: Match or contrast textures and/or flavors.

The evening also offered an example of another basic: The ideal food and wine pairing should make the food and wine taste better. When I tried a little of the very cherry 2007 Donausonne Blaufrankisch, Hungary, at the exact same time as the Vosges Budapest truffle, as Don suggested, it was like a chocolate-covered cherry in my mouth. Only better.

Here’s to a long relationship and many happy anniversaries for these sensual wine and chocolate couples.