The French champagne house has organised the inaugural Champagne XI vs English Sparkling Wine XI cricket match on August 18 at Brown Candover Cricket Club in Hampshire.
Maybe not the Ashes but it will be: ‘méthode Champenois’ against the ’méthode anglaise’ on a cricket pitch.
The Champagne trade will be represented by each of the below houses:
1. Pol Roger
2. Taittinger
3. Charles Heidsieck
4. Bollinger
5. Henriot
6. Mumm
7. Perrier Jouët
8. Lanson
9. Pommery
10. Moët Hennessy
11. Joseph Perrier
12. Louis Roederer
The English Sparkling wine trade will field a team from each of the following producers:
1. Hush Heath
2. Ridgeview
3. Chapel Down
4. Nyetimber
5. Hattingley Valley
6. a’Beckett’s
7. Davenport
8. Three Choirs
9. Rathfinny
10. Biddenden
11. Brightwell
12. Hundred Hills
Players and spectators will be treated to afternoon tea by Hattingley Valley English sparkling wines. There will be a post-match celebratory dinner for the players at the nearby Purefoy Arms.
Play will commence at 1.30pm. Spectators are welcome.