The doyens of the English and New Zealand sparkling wine industry are ratcheting up the competition ahead of the Cricket World Cup with a blind taste off.
This year's sporting event is hosted by Australia and New Zealand, and England and New Zealand are hosting a battle of the bubbles before the countries meet on the pitch.
Each country has selected a team of 11 players, plus a 'twelfth man', to go head to head with each other. The team captains for each side, Oz Clarke for England and Jane Skilton MW for New Zealand, will be out in Wellington and head up a panel of wine writers, commentators and cricketing internationals to select the winners in the competition, which will then be announced at an evening reception.
Clarke said: "Both countries are now world-renowned for the quality of their fizz and to meet head-to-head in this keenly-anticipated match will certainly highlight the fabulous quality of these two nations' wines."
The 'battle' will be replicated in London on February 19 in New Zealand Penthouse where invited guests and media can have their say, vote for the winning team and select a 'man of the match' award.
Chris Stroud, marketing manager (Europe) for New Zealand Winegrowers said: "I think we're in for a great match - the final teams are all in place and are great examples of what both New Zealand and England are now producing within the sparkling wine sector."
Julia Trustram Eve, marketing director of English Wine Producers, added: "This is such a great opportunity to showcase some of the best of New Zealand and England fizz, and against the backdrop of the Cricket World Cup - nothing like a bit of healthy competition either! We're really thrilled that Oz will be captaining our wines out in Wellington."
The New Zealand wines up for tasting will be:
While the English wines, selected by Clarke, Stephen Skelton MW, sommelier Mike Harrison and Trustram-Eve are: