With a lack of sporting events to engage in this summer, we’ve found something else you can get your teeth into.

British summer time is normally a season for a whole host of sporting events, from tennis to cricket to golf. 2020 has seen many annual championships postponed or cancelled entirely, bringing disappointment and frustration to both players and spectators. But watching sport isn’t just about the nature of the game and cheering on your team. It’s the camaraderie, community spirit and conversation that we’re also missing. So here at Fine Wine Cellar, we saw an opportunity to bring the excitement and energy of sporting events to life – through the magic of food and wine pairing.

As soon as vines start to flower in England, it can only mean one thing. Wimbledon. The anticipation of five set matches, a flurry of aces and remarkable back-hand shots over the net cannot be re-created this year, but a taste of Wimbledon certainly can be. A classic food and wine pairing combination has to be Champagne with strawberries and cream. The bright acidity of the Champagne cuts through the creamy layers of this quintessentially English pudding, and if opting for a Rosé, the wine’s red fruit aromas will only enhance the intensity of flavour in the strawberries. For those die-hard fans who want a truly authentic experience, take your feast out into the rain and blast out Cliff Richard’s Summer Holiday – you’ll be taken back to Wimbledon 1996 in no time at all.

Nothing quite says summer time in the UK like watching a game of nail-biting cricket on a sunny afternoon, whilst sipping on a glass of something delicious. The traditional picnic is a must-have for those local games, full of delicious clean-cut sandwiches and scones to while away the hours. OK, so we may not have the cricket, but we can still enjoy the picnic! Sandwich fillings such as smoked salmon and cream cheese work best with a lighter, crisp style of white wine such as a Sancerre from the Loire Valley whilst a coronation chicken mix works perfectly with a light and fruity red Burgundy. And what about a touch of Provençal rosé to pair with those light and fluffy scones? Pre-recorded, spontaneous rounds of applause will also set the scene, keeping picnic enthusiasm at an all time high.

And so you see, with a little imagination and the perfect food and wine combination, we can re-discover our sporting summer season in a whole new light. Who knows – it could be that when games do finally resume, we’ll be even more inclined to make it a gastronomic affair.