English to take on Champenois at cricket

In what is being dubbed on social media as the “Battle of the Brioche”, English winemakers are taking on Champagne in a clash-of-the-titans game of cricket.

Cricket has long been an integral part of the British summer season; evoking images of freshly mowed lawns, cream teas and sparkling wine. Whether it is Champagne or English sparkling wine, a glass of fizz is the ultimate accompaniment to a day at the cricket.

In celebration of this idyllic image, Pol Roger have organised the inaugural Champagne XI vs English Sparkling Wine XI cricket match on 18 August at Brown Candover Cricket Club in Hampshire.

“It will be an enjoyable and informal setting in which the Champenois and English Sparkling wine communities can pit their méthode Champenois against the méthode anglaise on the cricket pitch”, promoters say.

The Champagne trade will be represented by each of the following houses: Pol Roger, Taittinger, Charles Heidsieck, Bollinger, Henriot, Mumm, Perrier Jouët, Lanson, Pommery, Moët Hennessy, Joseph Perrier and Louis Roederer.

And the English Sparkling wine trade will field a team from each of the following producers: Hush Heath, Ridgeview, Chapel Down, Nyetimber, Hattingley Valley, a’Beckett’s, Plumpton College, Three Choirs, Rathfinny, Biddenden, Brightwell and Hundred Hills.

Pictures from the event will appear in our Week in Pictures round-up on the Friday following the match.