We’re getting into the swing of summer in the northern hemisphere and with the warmer months come important social and sporting events starting with the tennis championships. Wimbledon is one of the most sought-after sporting events to be seen at and sadly, given the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, the championships is cancelled for the first time since World War II. While sports stars and spectators are safer at a distance, what about all those portions of strawberries and cream that will go uneaten?
Last year alone Wimbledon sold 191,930 portions of strawberries and cream to attendees and strawberry supplier Hugh Lowe Farms supplies tonnes of strawberries to the championships each year. That means we are going to have a huge surplus and it’s our duty to rally together to ensure minimal waste. Wimbledon officials tell us they intend to turn the excess strawberries into jam to be used in their kitchens and once they open up again, will be available to members and for purchase to tourists on-site.
If this has you craving strawberries, you’re not alone and if you’re UK-based you should have no issue getting your hands on some. Together, let’s mark the cancelled event with a vat of strawberries, cream and a few well-paired drinks!
Lanson Rosé Label Brut
Having been the official Champagne partner of Wimbledon since 2001, we would be wrong to not have Lanson feature in this piece. The rose, with its harmonious flavours of citrus fruits and red fruit, it couldn’t be more fitting. Plus a pink Champagne always looks the part alongside a decadent dessert such as this.
shop nowNyetimber Cuvee Chérie Demi-Sec
Pairing a quintessentially British dessert requires a quintessential tipple to accompany it. Nyetimer only released Cherie last year but as it’s slightly sweeter with notable residual sugar, it works nicely with fruity desserts such as this. It’s the perfect English sparkling for your strawberries this summer!
shop nowEgon Muller Scharzhof Mosel 2010 Riesling
A late harvest Riesling has higher levels of residual sugar and this is a fine example of botrytis (noble rot) Riesling from an esteemed winery. The aromatic Riesling has honeyed notes of stone fruit, which complements the cream and the racy acidity matches that of the strawberries. A wonderfully indulgent and enjoyable wine for the occasion.
£145
shop nowSaracco Moscato d'Asti Sparkling Wine
A delicate sparkling wine that’s pleasantly fruity and generally low in alcohol. The sweet, fruity notes of apple and peach make this a great accompaniment to strawberries.
$18
shop nowDomaine Lafage Miraflors Rosé
Not only does it have a beautiful frosted glass bottle, this Languedoc-Roussillon rose, is a lovely summer wine that far too easy to drink. It has palpable flavours of strawberry with a refreshing dose of acidity, making it an ideal match for strawberries.
£10
shop nowPimm's No.1
There’s hardly a summer event in England that doesn’t serve Pimms, wonderfully refreshing, easy to drink and brimming with fruit. Strawberries are almost always part of the concoction in this summer cup. Pimms is always in situ at Wimbledon so it’s apt to have it feature here too. Enjoy the official Pimms recipe below, and where you can buy yourself a bottle of two.
Recipe:
- Mix one part PIMM'S No.1 with three parts chilled lemonade.
- Add some mint, cucumber, orange and strawberries and enjoy.