What to drink while watching Scotland vs. France ?

To mark the Scotland-France match on 7 March, José Sanfins, Managing Director of Château Cantenac Brown, invited us to taste the most Scottish of Bordeaux Grand Crus!

Sheep graze on verdant lawns as the rain batters down. Thanks to these rainy months, as he watched the raindrops splash against the windows of his Tudor-style Château, José Sanfins could believe he was in Scotland! With a little imagination, the managing director of Château Cantenac Brown could almost picture mythical creatures roaming to the tune of bagpipes on the Estate’s grounds.

On Saturday 7 March, while the French team travelled to Edinburgh, the penultimate leg on the road to the Grand Slam, you decide to invite your friends over. The match start time (3.10pm) lends itself to a late Sunday lunch. Your friends arrive and you greet them by opening a nice bottle of 2020 Brio. The name “Brio” spurs the brilliant French backlines who masterfully pop the opposing cork as soon as you open the bottle.

Moefana opens the score following a good serve by Jalibert. The wine is as young and lively as the brisky Bleus. You serve some delicious pata negra ham to accompany the wine. The saltiness and fatty texture of this Spanish delicacy go perfectly with red wine. At half-time, France is already well in the lead and your afternoon get-together is a great success.

It is now time to move on to more serious matters. France and Scotland may be rivals on the field but they are also friends. A friendship which begun in 1295 when the Auld Alliance was signed between the kingdoms of France and Scotland against England. To pay tribute to this historic agreement – and since you’re not faint-hearted – you serve your friends haggis, a typically Scottish speciality made from a sheep’s stomach. You pair it with a lovely 2016 Château Cantenac Brown. This great Vintage starts out wonderfully on the palate, with a great deal of elegance and freshness. It is the perfect accompaniment to the whirlwind of the French attack on the damp Murrayfield pitch.

Cantenac Brown, a Grand Cru Classé Estate in Margaux, is undoubtedly the most Scottish of Bordeaux Châteaux! Its first owner, John Lewis Brown, was from Scotland. The current manager, José Sanfins, really likes the country too. He travelled to Edinburgh several times to watch France play during the Six Nations championship. A former amateur rugby player, he loves the warm and friendly atmosphere of Murrayfield. The mood is particularly magical when the famous Flower of Scotland echoes throughout the stadium. That’s why he was our go-to person to recommend great bottles to enjoy during the 2026 France-Scotland match. We followed his recommendations!

But the Scottish team is resilient. “Gather thistles; expect prickles”, as the saying goes! By dint of courage and self-sacrifice – two typically Scottish virtues – the Scotland team saves the nation’s honour. It isn’t enough to stop Les Bleus from dreaming of a Grand Slam but it’s perfect for parting on good terms, once again.