{"id":2254,"date":"2015-10-24T22:43:19","date_gmt":"2015-10-25T02:43:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nezbar.com\/?p=2254"},"modified":"2015-10-24T22:43:19","modified_gmt":"2015-10-25T02:43:19","slug":"pairing-the-players-an-aromatic-imagining-of-nycfc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nezbar.com\/pairing-the-players-an-aromatic-imagining-of-nycfc\/","title":{"rendered":"Pairing the Players: An Aromatic Imagining of NYCFC"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s been a pleasure to share an inaugural year with the New York City Football Club<\/a>!<\/p>\n

We have watched you grow as a team and spent hours cheering you on, spreading the word, and yes, fantasizing about what you might all be like in the flesh.<\/p>\n

Until you let us into the locker room we’ll put our multi-sensory storytelling to work. Aroma and flavor have the great capacity to take you places.\u00a0With the help of Nez Bar Co-founder, sommelier-in-chief at DiVino<\/a>, we paired some of our favorite players with some of our favorite things, fragrance and cocktails.<\/p>\n

No. 7 David Villa<\/strong><\/h2>\n

NYCFC Striker David Villa S\u00e1nchez may be 33, but he\u2019s been referred to as El Guaje<\/em>, \u2018the kid\u2019 in his native Asturian dialect for years, as he excelled early against players much older than he was A native of Asturias in Northwestern Spain, young David had a powerful start by age 18, and captured the eye of the Spanish national team by 2003. He thrilled spectators during the 2006 World Cup when he scored three goals after substituting in for the infamous and beloved Ra\u00fal, known by a single name and referred to at the time as the \u201cworld\u2019s best striker.\u201d In 2012 he scored his 45th<\/sup>\u00a0goal and soon after became the first Spaniard to reach 50. Today, he still defends his title as Spain\u2019s top scorer.<\/p>\n

\"MLS:<\/a><\/p>\n

Best known for his years with Barcelona and his international appearences with Spain\u2019s\u00a0La Roja<\/em>, We love his energy and youthful vigor. He brings freshness and fire to NYCFC and we couldn\u2019t imagine a more perfect pairing than a\u00a0Cuv\u00e9e de Prestige Reserva Real<\/a>\u00a0from historic Cava producer Freixenet.<\/p>\n

This golden boy took the UEFA Golden Boot in 2008, which makes him something of football royalty. Reserva Real is a M\u00e9thode Champenoise Cava produced in Alt Pened\u00e8s, just outside of Barcelona. It blends the best of many years of production and was first released to commemorate a visit from Spain\u2019s royal family. Shimmering gold in color with celebratory toasty notes it\u2019s got verve on the palate and never tires.<\/p>\n

When David Villa rips off his jersey we imagine whiffs of\u00a0Creed Aventus Eau de Parfum<\/strong>. Created with ingredients hand-selected by Olivier Creed and his son, it is regarded as Creed’s finest creation, a pure and masculine scent that evokes strength, power, vision and success. Tropical fruit notes glitter in an almost ageless top note while the heart and base are all strength and stamina.<\/p>\n

No. 21 Andrea Pirlo<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Perhaps the most exciting senior acquisition to NYCFC, Italy\u2019s Andrea Pirlo strides across the field with the poise and precision of a lion king. His demeanor speaks volumes to his experience as a deep mid-fielder. Meditative and meticulous, he preys on the ball and leads an adoring pride. At just 16 he made his Serie A debut with Brescia. He was soon snatched up by AC Milan and later by Juventus until 2015. A three-time Serie A Player of the Year, he also led Italy to World Cup Victory in 2006 with an opening goal and stellar set-up against Ghana. He would later \u00a0set-up \u00a0teammate Gilardino\u2019s header, which proved vital to Italy\u2019s draw against Team USA.<\/p>\n

\"MLS:<\/a><\/p>\n

Not only does Pirlo observe and orchestrate with grace and skill, he scores goals of his own and is particularly coveted for his free kicks and penalty kicks. His list of honors and accomplishments is so impressive it nearly caused the hyperventilation of this author, who admittedly had to take a break to catch her breath midway through the composition of this piece.<\/p>\n

Andrea is known by fellow players and friends as maestro <\/em>(the master), Mozart<\/em> (for his virtuosity, and the metronome<\/em> for his great sense of balance and ability to guide his team. He is the quintessential soccer player, displaying killer technique both individual and integral.<\/p>\n

It was no easy task pairing this one. We liked the idea of a Franciacorta, Italy’s most heralded appellation for sparkling wines and produced in the area surrounding none other than Pirlo’s birthplace of Brescia. But his maturity, profound approach to the game and refined technique pointed to Valpolicella. Specifically,\u00a0Allegrini Palazzo della Torre IGT 2011<\/a>. A wine of great character made in the ripasso<\/em> technique. It involves a calculated encounter in which fresh wine is passed over semi-dried grapes used in the production of Amarone raisin wine, which bestows complexity and depth of flavor on the piquant red blend. Ripasso<\/em> wines are unpretentious and clean. The secret to their success, a crucial passage.<\/p>\n

And what inebriating essences adorn the tresses of il leone<\/em>? We imagine our maestro in an aura of Azzaro Pour Homme<\/strong>. First released in 1978, it\u2019s an aromatic foug\u00e8re that builds on a classic accord but is action-packed at the heart with deep and masculine notes of Vetiver, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Oakmoss and Cardamom, all atop an alluring ambergris and musky base. \u00a0Intelligent exuberance meets come to daddy<\/em>.<\/p>\n

No. 8 Frank Lampard<\/strong><\/h2>\n

London-born \u2018Lamps\u2019 is all about clean lines and good parentage. Our midfielder made waves for Chelsea during his long stint with 211 goals, following in the quick footsteps of his father, Frank Lampard Senior, a decorated footballer of his own ilk.<\/p>\n

Lampard is classic in style and a bit restrained compared to today\u2019s concept of the raucous English footballer. He is considered by a number of journalists and football experts to be one of the best midfielders of his generation. A three-time Player of the Year winner for Chelsea, he is the team\u2019s all-time top scorer. He\u2019s played with England throughout several World Cups and took home FIFA\u2019s Silver Award for World Player of the Year in 2005.<\/p>\n

\"MLS:<\/a><\/p>\n

When we raise a glass to Lamps, we certainly hope it\u2019ll be filled with Newcastle Brown Ale<\/a>. It’s a hardy ale of decided pedigree and a symbol the hard-working Englishman to the core.<\/p>\n

We imagine that up close and personal, this boy smells of Burberry Brit Rhythm<\/strong>. Juniper, basil and verbena entice initially, but this fragrance is all about a smooth and put-together leather trench coat. Can we come inside?<\/p>\n

No. 10 Mix Diskerud<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Mikkel Morgenstar P\u00e5lss\u00f8nn “Mix” Diskerud, is the bright young buck who scored NYCFC\u2019s first ever MLS goal in an inaugural match against Orlando City. He has continued to infuse the team with the verve and optimism of youth.<\/p>\n

Born in Oslo to a Norwegian father and an American mother who used to call him \u201cher little mixmaster\u201d when he tore around the house, Mix began his career abroad, playing with youth team Frigg Oslo and later Stab\u00e6k. He remained in Norway playing with national teams including Rosenborg with the exception of a brief loan to Belgian Pro League club K.A.A. Gent for the 2011-2012 season. Thanks to his duel citizenship, Mix moved to America and joined Team USA for World Cup 2014.<\/p>\n

Mix lives up to his namesake, dashing to and fro on the midfield, setting \u2018em up and often putting them in.<\/p>\n

\"MLS:<\/a><\/p>\n

We\u2019re excited to see him grow, which is why we\u2019ve chosen to pair him with an American wine that shows better with time. Lieb Cellars Reserve Pinot Blanc 2014<\/a> is made from the winery\u2019s oldest vines, which are older than he is. It is a beautiful example of an alpine variety (Pinot Blanc) that really blossoms on American soil. It\u2019s vibrant and crisp with notes of green apple and lemongrass. Put it away and wait for the roots to emerge with a rich sea salty finish.<\/p>\n

While we\u2019d have to get close enough to confirm it we like to speculate about Mix’s more sensual side. We came up with Marc Jacobs Bang Bang<\/strong>. It’s a dynamic and glittery up front with lots of playful citrus on top, but inside is a strong warm heart.<\/p>\n

No. 88 Kwadwo Poku <\/strong><\/h2>\n

He\u2019s the one the crowds chant for right up to the end, so we figured we\u2019d play the same game. At only 23 years old, Poku has made a name for himself, mostly on US soil. Born in Kumasi, Ghana in 1992, Kwadwo, who goes by Poku these days, first trained with the youth division of his hometown team, Asante Kotoko SC, the most successful squad in the country.<\/p>\n

He than headed first to the Georgia Revolution as a striker and top scorer. In 2014 he joined the Atlanta Silverbacks, whose manager described him as one of the best players in the North American Soccer League. In 2015 he was signed by NYFC as a midfielder and quickly became a fan favorite for his eye-catching performances and his contagious energy.<\/p>\n

\"MLS:<\/a><\/p>\n

As much as we\u2019d love a tall glass of Kwadwo, we\u2019ll settle for Four Roses Small Batch,<\/a> neat.<\/p>\n

No way to know of course, but we have a feeling his lucky lady wakes up still dreaming. To us, Poku exudes the absolutely edible A*Men\u00a0Pure Havane by\u00a0Thierry Mugler.<\/strong> It’s all sweet cherry, tobacco, cacao and vanilla spice.<\/p>\n

*Featured Image: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports<\/a><\/span><\/h6>\n

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It’s been a pleasure to share an inaugural year with the New York…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2262,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[36,26,427,254],"tags":[477,485,492,471,479,473,490,480,491,489,484,472,481,486,474,487,478,482,475,488,476,483,470,81],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t\n