The tennis starts at Wimbledon on Monday and seeing as Movies & Booze’s film reviewer, Esther McCarthy, is a monster tennis fan, I thought we could get in the mood by looking at some of the event’s sponsors and having a practice run with some strawberries and cream. Even if you can’t get to South West London in person you can also bring a few bottles to the park and sit under your umbrella listening to some Cliff Richard.
Like any big sports event, it has a myriad sponsors, often for seemingly utterly unrelated products. No doubt Robinson’s soft drinks sales rocket each year off the back of it, but less well known are the ‘official bank’ - HSBC, the ‘official car’ – Jaguar, and ‘official IT supplier’ - IBM.
Tennis is thirsty work, so Evian is also the official mineral water and if Djokovic wants a double macchiato, it’ll have to be Italian brand Lavazza.
Not surprisingly there are alcoholic drinks sponsors. Stella Artois is the official beer, while Lanson is the official Champagne (28,000 bottles!) and Jacob’s Creek is the official wine. Let’s hope the players only partake after they’ve played. The watching public though can sip along as they watch the titans of the lawn game take each other on. It’s bit of a surprise to see that there isn’t an official gin or gin and tonic, or that the quintessential English summer drink Pimms isn’t an official sponsor according to its website, even though the bars sell a breath taking 230,000 glasses each year.
Wines Tasted on the Show
Lanson Père et Fils Brut NV Champagne, €54, Searson’s
Lanson is best known for their Non Vintage Black Label. Historically it was not one of France’s favourites, but under the stewardship of Bruno Paillard quality has improved in recent years. Lanson are promoting their fizz during Wimbledon with the clever social media hashtag #theperfectserve, and there’s also a bottle available that has a Wimbledon-branded thermal sleeve.
Smart players and fans will celebrate though with this variation. It’s meant to be for the on-trade only but Searson’s sell it. It’s a blend of wines from five vintages aged for four years before release rather than the usual three. Tried side by side with their Black Label it’s a clear step above and it’s the same price!
Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Rose NV, €16.49 - €18.49, widely available including Fine Wines of Limerick, Molloy’s, many independent merchants and O’Brien’s plus supermarkets
Jacob’s Creek’s wines are well known and widely consumed but I doubt many consumers trade up to the reserve levels or the sparkling wines which are surprisingly good. This pinot noir based wine is redolent of strawberry fruit and makes a great drink to go with a bowl of plain strawberries with just a sprinkle of sugar. Gluttons are also advised to just pop one into your glass.
The best choice with cream is Sauternes or maybe Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise or more affordable Muscat de Valencia
Martin Moran is a Master of Wine, and a regular contributor to Moncrieff's Movies & Booze. Tune in live from 3.15 every Friday, or catch the show's podcasts here.
