When it comes to English national pride, one thing ranks very high on the last above all others. No, not Morris Dancing, but that universally revered, omnipotent sport, Football. It seems odd that Football is surrounded by such feverish passion across a wide range of demographics in the UK considering the lack of success achieved by our national team in recent history.
A hark back to that fateful day in 1966 is always on the cards when a boost in optimism is required. In reality the dizzy heights that England reached forty years ago looks unlikely to be repeated in this generation of pampered players and managerial musical chairs. England simply lacks the discipline, commitment and work ethic of their continental and South-American Counterparts.
One aspect of English culture which seems to be following a polarized trajectory to the national football team is the wine industry. The buzz around the UK’s wine producing abilities have been growing steadily over the past ten years. It has fought off criticism about the English soil being too acidic due to the climate.
Although we can’t deny that our weather system is temperamental to say the least, the vineyards of Kent often yield conditions similar to those in southern France and Germany (peppered with the occasional shower of course) throughout the summer months.
This means England can throw up exciting, unique flavours quite distinct from those of the traditional wine producing countries. Grape varieties such as Bacchus, Seyval Blanc, Huxelrebe and Phoenix offer compelling alternatives to the run of the mill Chardonnays and Riojas.
Why not serve up an English wine at your next dinner party to inject some variety? One thing we can say of the English wine industry which we can’t about our football team is: ‘If the Germans can do it then why can’t we!?”.
