England v NZ in cricket blind taste-off

Ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, English sparkling wine is taking on its Kiwi counterpart in a blind tasting dubbed the “Battle of the Bubbles”.

Taking place on Thursday 19th February in Wellington, the day before the the two countries go head-to-head on the cricket pitch, each country has selected a team of eleven wines plus a “twelfth man” to go head to head with each other in a blind taste-off.

The team captains for each side, Oz Clarke for England and Jane Skilton MW for New Zealand, will be out in Wellington leading a panel of wine writers, commentators and cricketing internationals to select the winners in the competition, which will then be announced at an evening reception.

“This promises to be a thrilling match,” commented Oz Clarke. “Both countries are now world-renowned for the quality of their fizz and to meet head-to-head in this keenly-anticipated match will certainly highlight the fabulous quality of these two nations’ wines.”

The Battle of the Bubbles will also be held in London on Thursday 19th February in New Zealand Penthouse, where invited guests and media can have their say, vote for the winning team and select a man-of-the-match award.

Chris Stroud, marketing manager (Europe) for New Zealand Winegrowers said: “I think we’re in for a great match – the final teams are all in place and are great examples of what both New Zealand and England are now producing within the sparkling wine sector.”

This was echoed by Julia Trustram Eve, marketing director of English Wine Producers who added: “This is such a great opportunity to showcase some of the best of New Zealand and England fizz, and against the backdrop of the Cricket World Cup – nothing like a bit of healthy competition either. We’re really thrilled that Oz will be captaining our wines out in Wellington.”

The teams are as follows:

NEW ZEALAND           

Team captain: Jane Skilton MW

Akarua Rosé Brut, Daniel Le Brun Blanc de Blancs 2009, Deutz Blanc de Blancs 2010, Huia Brut 2009, Hunter’s MiruMiru, Lindauer Special Reserve Brut Cuvée, Nautilus Cuvée Brut, No. 1 Family Estate No. 1 Cuvée Blanc de Blancs, Osawa Prestige Collection Méthode Traditionnelle, Quartz Reef Méthode Traditionnelle 2009, Seresin Moana Blanc 2009, Tohu Rewa Blanc de Blancs 2011.

ENGLAND

Team captain: Oz Clarke

Ambriel English Reserve NV, Bluebell Hindleap Blanc de Blancs 2010, Camel Valley White Pinot 2010, Coates & Seely Blanc de Blancs NV, Hambledon Classic Cuvée NV, Henners Brut Reserve 2010, Hush Heath Balfour Brut Rosé 2010, Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs 2007, Plumpton The Dean Brut NV, Sugrue Pierre South Downs 2011, Wiston South Downs Blanc de Blancs NV, Wyfold Brut 2010.