Wild Game and Sparkling Wine

They always say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach and if that’s true, then this Valentine’s Tea Box from Wild and Game is definitely the way to go about it, delight your loved one with this amazing selection of wild game, paté, chutney, pork pies, sausage rolls and more.

The only thing missing from this luscious selection is a fine array of Sparkling Wines to accompany, and that’s where we’ve got you covered, we’ve found a brilliant Champagne, Red Sparkling and English Sparkling Wine which will pair well with this afternoon tea selection.

This Valentine’s Tea Pack Contains

• Pheasant, Pistachio and Port Pate
• Grouse, Brandy and Herb Pate
• Venison and Pheasant Sausage Roll x 2
• Dinky Pies Pork and Pheasant
• Venison Juniper and Gin Pate
• Partridge Gin and Pear Pate
• Mini Chutney Selection
• Sloe and Garlic Wild Venison Salami

With a selection like this to enjoy on Valentine’s Day, you’ll need to have Sparkling Wine equally as special. Below I have three Sparkling Wines that won’t just taste great, but will also pair with different items from the Wild & Game Valentine’s Tea Pack.

Champagne Laurent Lequart

Champagne Laurent Lequart are located on their family farm in Passy-Grigny, in the heart of the Marne Valley, with 11 hectares of farmland, with most of it planted with vines growing the Meunier which they use to craft their Champagnes.

They have also been respecting the terroir and the environment for 4 generations, they have achieved the High Environmental Value certification which was obtained in 2019 and a Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne certification in 2020.

Champagne Laurent Lequart – Blanc de Meunier Brut – Tasting Notes

Aroma 👃 “Green citrus, yellow citrus, saline and minerals on the aroma.”

Flavour 👅 “Burst of crispt citrus, saline, minerals, chalk and more on the palate.”

This Champagne Won a Gold Medal in the Sea Breeze Category at the Glass of Bubbly Awards 2021

The English – Bolney Wine Estate

Located just 14 miles from the south coast on the edge of the South Downs in Sussex, Bolney Wine Estate is comprised of five unique vineyard sites and their head winemaker, Sam Linter is the daughter of the founders, Janet and Rodney.

When Janet and Rodney originally founded Bolney Wine Estate they first called it Bookers Vineyard, they have just recently been bought by Henkell Freixenet.

Bolney Wine Estate also put in a lot of work to win the Glass of Bubbly’s Sustainability Trophy in partnership with Slow Food, making sure to reduce their carbon footprint, recycle when possible and giving back to the planet.

Bolney Wine Estate – Classic Cuvée NV – Tasting Notes

Aroma 👃 “Ripe orchard fruits, floral notes, white blossom, and hints of ready salted crisps on the aroma. A lovely time in the garden would be the best way to describe the aroma of English Sparkling Wine.”

Flavour 👅 “Rich orchard fruits, including gooseberry, herbal notes, with nettles and more on the palate.”

This English Sparkling Wine Won a Silver Medal in the Spring Fling Category at the Glass of Bubbly Awards 2021

The Red – Vina Kobal Štanjel

The Vina Kobal brand presents wines from selected vineyards in the Karst region of Slovenia, more precisely from the oldest village in the area, Štanjel, a place where the centuries-old heritage of viticulture and winemaking is written in every piece of land. A place whose story is captured in every glass of their wines.

Vina Kobal has a deep respect for nature, thanks to the family’s dedication and trust they are able to produce quality wines, they have become one of the leading wineries in the Karst region, where just over 600 ha of vineyards are planted with vines.

Vina Kobal Štanjel – Teranova penina Tera – Tasting Notes

Aroma 👃 “Wild red berries, blackberries, sweet natural spices, freshly squeezed redcurrant juice and more on this expressive aroma.”

Flavour 👅 “It doesn’t have the normal high tannins that most reds have, which allows for a riper fruity expression, wild berries, redcurrant, blackberries and natural spices on the palate.” The aroma and flavours are similarly matched, easy to relax to.

This Slovenian Sparkling Wine is the Trophy winner in the Meditation Category at the Glass of Bubbly Awards 2021

The Wild and Game Pairings

Venison and Pheasant Sausage Roll

Champagne – “A strong citrus burst soaks into the meaty flavours which come through near the close.”

English – “A lovely burst of English country garden flavours, ripe fruits, floral and garden herbs, lines the sausage roll, making it feel like your in your garden enjoying the seasons.”

Red – “The red sparkling wine comes in strong, drowning out the flavours, a lack of tannins in the red makes it unable to cope with the meaty flavours.”

Dinky Pies Pork and Pheasant

Champagne – “The bold citrus Champagne flavours take control, with meaty, pastry flavours in the background, this pairing will be on the preference of the individual, if you like citrus bursts, then you might very well like this.”

English – “A brilliant orchard fruit explosion combined with the meaty flavours, you just want to sit and delight in the flavours, but then they fade back into a cleaner pork and pheasant pie tasting, making another bite inevitable.”

Red – “Red berries subtlely come over, giving a Christmasy vibe, you don’t lose the pie flavours, you just gain a lovely expression of wild red berries.”

Wild Venison Salami

Champagne – “The Champagne feels lost, wandering around in the background coming in and out.”

English – “The English Sparkling Wine adds fresh flavours including orchard fruits, yellow fruits and floral notes to the Venison salami.”

Red – “Lovely wild red berries come through the salami and soak inside, travelling together all the way till the end in itss delicate Venison and red berry combo.”

Grouse, Brandy & Herb Paté

Champagne – “Citrus comes over making the paté hide initially then it flies over the paté bursting out and giving a new life to the paté.”

English – “Strong orchard fruits comes over, but quickly take a step back allowing the paté to come through into an equal pairing.”

Red – “Tannin filled dark red berries and blackberries flow through and out of the pate, leaving a delightful grouse and brandy paté flavours.”