England Vs France in the Wine Rivels

This weekend England and France battle out century of war and political dispute. In a 80 mins game of rugby. We will see the French and English reenact the battles of: Agincourt, Trafalgar, Waterloo; I can not not think of a battles France won with my selective memory.

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So in light of this rugby game; which like most 6 nation games have more to do with historic rivalry than on current forum, we have a new 'Wine The Rivals'. It be unfair to put the hole of France wine production against England's s we put up a French region and as I wont England to do well I put up our best tipple, fizzy pop, but is seems that the frogs do fizzy pop as well in a place could Champagne. This puts England on the back leg as Champagne has 33,500 hectares of vineyards around 319 villages that are home to 5,000 growers who make their own wine and 14,000 growers who only sell grapes. Where there are only 362 registered vineyards comprising of 923 hectares in England and Wales.

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Don't write of the English just yet in 2007 the Theale Vineyard Sparkling Chardonnay 2003 beat off stiff competition from fine Champagnes and top sparkling wines to make it into the world’s Top Ten Sparkling Wine at the world’s only dedicated sparkling wine competition, French-based Effervescents du Monde (sparkling wines of the world). The Theale Vineyard it self is a 50 meters by 20miters vine yard in front of a massive warehouse office block on a industrial estate which is surrounded by the M4 motorway, the A4 and a busy train line. I know a lot about this as the office was my old office in fact I helped with the 08 vintage by doing a bit of pruning and I own the last bottle of the amazing 03. So English wine can hold there own.

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So today the challenger is from Champagne, France we have the Bredon Brut NV and the defending champ from West Sussex, England we have the South Ridge Cuvée Merret 2006.

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Top Trumps.
Price: Bredon £14.24 from Waitrose Vs South Ridge £15.99 from Laithwaites. Bredon wines.
Vintage: Bredon NV Vs South Ridge 2006. South Ridge wines.
Alcohol:Bredom 12% Vs South Ridge 12%. Draw.
Awards: Bredom Silver IWC Vs South Ridge Silver IWC, Draw.

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So it all square after the Top Trumps. Now let put them to the taste test. The Bredon Brut NV is a full flavored crisp wine but with a creamy richness with touches of fruit. What you would expect from the guys behind Piper & Charles Heidsieck. A cracker of a wine. A good party or reception tipple. The South Ridge Cuvée Merret 2006 has a fantastic ripe melon and honey taste to it with just a hint of creamy mousse to it. What can I say but it under prised!

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It a close one both are class wines I will have to give it to....... Well I am biased it is England with South Ridge Cuvée Merret 2006! Go out and buy a couple of bottle of both wines and see if you think I am right.