English vs Scottish Flings

Fling is quite an interesting word when you look into it with over 1,800 Synonyms for the word along with varied verbs.

For many, it is the action of throwing, though it could also be seen as per the extramarital affair side of things, past tense even to embrace such phrases as he flung his arms around her etc. Via thesaurus.com there are pages and pages of how we can use the word…

“The Highland Fling is a solo Highland dance that gained popularity in the early 19th century. The word ‘Fling’ means literally a movement in dancing.” source wikipedia

My favourite, amongst my research was:

‘Spring fling‘ can refer to a fling that takes place during the named season (Spring is when many animals mate) source urbandictionary

Now back to Sparkling Wines…

The title is all about us pairing an English Spring Fling (a Gold Medal Winning bubbly) alongside a firm Scottish traditional meal in Haggis. Both of exceptional character and both fitting for a clash between the English and the Scots. To add a bit of beef to the English side we also decided to go for a magnum sized bottle!

 

Bolney Wine Estate (English Fling)

“Located in the heart of rural Sussex, Bolney Wine Estate is one of the oldest and most beautiful vineyards in England.”

Blessed with stunning vineyards and a great winery that welcomes consumer visitors, Bolney Wine Estate also offers a fine selection of both still and sparkling wines including red fizz! A winery that boasts countless awards for their wines along with much accreditation and respect from within the industry.

Bolney Wine Estate – Classic Cuvée Brut (Magnum): “Yellow floral, yellow stone fruits, near ripe yellow apples. Fresh and crisp fruit flavours. Yellow floral, yellow fruits with sweet citrus, touch freshly cut grass, herbs and more.”

 

Haggis from Simon Howie Scottish Butcher (Scottish Fling)

For many of us, we know that one of the traditional dishes of Scotland is the haggis, the savoury pudding containing sheep’s pluck, minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt, mixed with stock.

Without wanting to start the fight here and now, it is though said that the famous haggis is in fact an invention of the English! Food historian Catherine Brown has found mentions of haggis in an English cooking guide from 1615 which proves it was being eaten south of the border some 171 years before Robert Burns wrote his Address to the Haggis.

For many the dish is a favourite, others it is quite a turn off in ingredients and in flavours. As a fan myself, having tasted many variations, it is a punchy and hearty meal full of savoury flavours and spices and quite the perfect partner to place alongside an expressive sparkling wine.

Bolney Wine Estate – Classic Cuvée Brut (Magnum) & Haggis from Simon Howie Scottish Butcher TASTING NOTES: “A blast of fizz giving soft sweet yellow fruits and total cleansing of any greasiness to leave spicy savoury flavours from the Haggis. Close sees the Bolney appear again with a mouth watering savoury and smooth citrus. Both wine and food seem to hold a spicy and bold character.“