From cuddling lambs at Roves Farm to sharing stories over tea in Faringdon, two friendship cafés are tackling loneliness and bringing older people together through companionship, community and care.
A cup of tea, a slice of cake and a friendly conversation can make all the difference – and across Oxfordshire, two community cafés are helping older people build friendships, boost wellbeing and combat loneliness.
This summer marks the fourth anniversary of the Roves Farm Seniors Friendship Café, a monthly gathering created through a partnership between Roves Farm and Home Instead Charities, led by volunteers from Home Instead Swindon & Vale of White Horse.
Held in the peaceful surroundings of the working farm, the café offers older adults the chance to enjoy refreshments, spend time with friendly farm animals and, perhaps most importantly, connect with others in a relaxed and welcoming setting. For many regular visitors, it has become a much-anticipated monthly highlight.
Keeley Lally of Roves Farm said: “We’re very happy to be able to provide a unique and engaging experience for everyone involved with the Seniors Friendship Café. Part of our ethos has always been to offer opportunities for people of all ages to experience a working farm, meet our friendly animals and enjoy the countryside. It’s a pleasure to be part of this wonderful initiative.”
As well as offering companionship, spending time with animals has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood and encourage social interaction, benefits that visitors experience first-hand during each session.
Elsewhere in the county, the Faringdon Friendship & Memories Café continues to provide a welcoming, dementia-friendly space for older people, their families and carers.
Supported for a second year by Faringdon & District Rotary Club, the café benefits from guidance provided by Dementia Oxfordshire adviser Maria Kempson, visits from therapy dogs Rosie and Tango, and a dedicated team of volunteers creating a safe and supportive environment.
Rotary Club President Mohinder Kainth said: “The Memory Café is more than just a place, it’s a lifeline for many in our community. It offers friendship, understanding and a safe space where people feel truly seen and supported.”
For Cat Attewell, Community Engagement Officer for Home Instead Swindon & Vale of White Horse and a Home Instead Charities volunteer, the impact of both cafés is evident.
She said: “These cafés are more than events for local people, they are lifelines. We see first-hand the difference that companionship, community and meaningful activity make to the wellbeing of older adults.”
The Faringdon Friendship & Memories Café is currently looking for volunteers to help serve refreshments and support guests.
To find out more or get involved, email cat.attewell@homeinstead.co.uk or call 01793 232585.
Reading Abbey Ruins will once again provide a spectacular backdrop for Down at the Abbey, with emerging artists, local favourites, family activities and great food transforming the historic site this September.
The 900-year-old setting of Reading Abbey Ruins will once again host the up-to-the-minute sounds of live music as Down at the Abbey returns on September 11th and 12th 2026.
The site where the oldest piece of English music was discovered in 1420, Sumer Is Icumen, will over two days welcome two stages of thrilling music – no clashes – bringing the historic surroundings to life with some of the best local, national and international emerging artists.
The event attracts a family friendly and like-minded audience congregating in the inspiring 900-year-old Ruins, illuminated after dark. In addition to the music, Saturday offers kids’ activities with delicious gourmet street food, award-winning Siren Craft beer, cider and more to enjoy over the two days.
Among those performing on Friday are Antony Szmierek, a former English teacher who has been known to leap into crowds and has been compared to Mike Skinner and Jarvis Cocker. Nubiyan Twist bring their electrifying blend of jazz, afrobeat, soul, hip-hop and dance music to the stage with a brand new line-up and live show for 2026. Kah’Nya is a Zimbabwean born artist whose voice carries the spirit of southern African alternative and indie pop.
Saturday is jam packed with a line up including British-born Nigerian spoken word artist Joshua Idehen, multi-instrumentalist C Duncan brings indie folk and orchestral pop and expect a ritualistic mash-up of folksong, yelping punk and mesmeric drone from The New Eves.
Beatroots Bateria is a long-running community samba drumming group based in Reading and run by Readipop. Reading’s own Ma Bessie (Julia Titus) comes home to the abbey ruins with a set of soulful songs, including her original tribute to the king who rests beneath. Fellow homegrown musicians Sundaughter entertain with their dreamy textures and indie rock band The Race make a welcome return.
Also featuring on both nights is XOX, a heritage and innovation programme lead by Readipop music charity, “preserving iconic vintage synths and drum machines while building a creative community through workshops, events and Electronic Music Open Mics nights”.
For 2026, Down at the Abbey is continuing to offer free entry for under 11s, low-priced Young Person (11-17 yrs) and is introducing a new Young Adult (18-25 yrs) ticket.
From award-winning IPAs to community fundraising, Elusive Brewing is raising a glass to a decade of brewing in Berkshire with a special honour recognising its success and local impact.
One of Berkshire’s most celebrated independent breweries is marking a major milestone as Elusive Brewing celebrates 10 years of producing award-winning craft beer from its home in Finchampstead.
The anniversary was celebrated with a party at the brewery’s popular taproom, where founder Andy Parker and the team were presented with a Special Award recognising both a decade of brewing excellence and their contribution to the local community through charitable fundraising.
The award was presented by Deputy Mayor of Wokingham Town Council, Cllr Alexandra Domingue, alongside Kevin Lenton, Chairman of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Berkshire South East Branch.
Elusive Brewing was founded in 2016 after Andy Parker turned his award-winning home-brewing hobby into a full-time business. Brewing from the Hogwood Lane Industrial Estate, the brewery has developed a reputation for American-inspired beers while staying true to traditional brewing methods. Its quirky personality shines through too, with a taproom featuring four retro gaming consoles inspired by Andy’s love of classic 8-bit video games.
Reflecting on the milestone, Andy said: “Being part of our local community is part of Elusive’s DNA. While our industry is facing many challenges at the moment, we feel it’s incredibly important to give priority to supporting the local charities that are the lifeblood of Wokingham. Our 10th birthday was the perfect opportunity to celebrate how far we’ve come with the very people who got us here.”
Presenting the award, Kevin Lenton added: “The Berkshire South East Branch awarded Elusive a certificate in recognition of the fact that they have now been brewing for 10 years. Remarkably, during this time they have been given over 70 prestigious awards, the highlight being judged Best IPA at the 2025 CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain awards for Oregon Trail.”
Supporting local causes remains central to the brewery’s ethos. Earlier this year, Elusive donated 50p from every pint sold at Party in the Park to charities across Wokingham Borough.
Visitors can experience the brewery’s welcoming, dog-friendly taproom, which serves Elusive’s award-winning beers alongside local wines, ciders, spirits, soft drinks and its popular Fridge of Dreams, stocked with low and no-alcohol options.
The taproom is open Fridays and Saturdays from 12pm to 8pm, and on the last Thursday of each month from 4pm to 8pm, at Unit 7, Marino Way, Hogwood Lane Industrial Estate, Finchampstead, Wokingham RG40 4RF.
From laugh-out-loud comedy and thought-provoking theatre to live music, cabaret and family entertainment, Guildford Fringe Festival returns this September with an eclectic programme of affordable performances across venues throughout the town.
Guildford Fringe Festival is all about making great arts accessible for all and now in its 13th year it is continuing that tradition.
The open-access multi-arts extravaganza spreads across an eclectic mix of venues from traditional pubs and historic churches to Guildford Institute and a nature reserve.
The Back Room of The Star Inn serves as the festival’s hub once again with highlights including Juliette Burton: Villain Era, Adam Flood: Life and Death of the Party, Michael Brunström: William Tell versus the Algorithm, Jack Barry: Let’s Get Barried and Comedy Shomedy. Fans of improv will find plenty too including Adult Panto [Unscripted], CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation and the galaxy-brained Space Planet Mission: The Improvised Sci-Fi Epic.
This year’s theatre includes Alan Bennett’s celebrated monologue An Englishman Abroad and Lady Bracknell’s Confinement, a reimagining drawn from the world of Oscar Wilde. Gothic literature lovers are in for a treat with One Man Poe: The Black Cat and The Raven, and Christ Church Guildford provides a fitting setting for From the Dawn of Time to the Last Battle. The line-up also includes the intimate drama Behind Closed Doors, the unsettling Ghost Light, and Pandora: The Musical which is an original rock/folk retelling of the Greek legend.
Music fans have plenty to look forward to with the annual free concert Opera on the Balcony and Café De Swing bringing jazz to Clandon Wood Nature Reserve. Cabaret fans can enjoy Glitter, Guilt and Good Intentions at the Fallen Angel Bar, Keys and Tease, and the cheerful irreverence of Vince Taylor: Punk to Pension Plan. The Rock Choir takes over Guildford High Street once more, and there’s a free community UkeJam at the Britannia Pub.
Younger audiences are catered for with The Wow Bubble Show for Kids at Clandon Wood Nature Reserve and The Smallest Sardine of the Seven Seas at The Stoke Pub. In Juliet’s Garden by Judy Elliot McDonald brings original outdoor theatre to Clandon Wood.
Charlotte Wyschna, Managing Director of Guildford Fringe, said: “The 2026 programme is one we’re really proud of. There’s so much variety and so many brilliant performers coming to Guildford this September. At the heart of everything we do is a belief that great arts should be accessible to everyone, and this year’s programme is a real reflection of that.”
Special thanks to Guildford Fringe’s sponsors and supporters, Chapters Financial, Experience Guildford, Churchmill and Kellys Storage.
Most ticketed shows at Guildford Fringe are priced at £12, and several events are free. For the full programme, visit: guildfordfringe.com or call the Box Office on 01483 361101. During the Festival, there will be a daily Box Office at The Star Inn, Quarry Street, from 6-7pm.
A beautifully restored oak-framed hideaway has opened on the edge of Compton, offering couples a tranquil countryside retreat complete with orchard views, dog-friendly accommodation and easy access to the Ridgeway.
Tucked away on the edge of the village of Compton, a new countryside hideaway is preparing to welcome its first guests – an oak-framed retreat designed for slow mornings, long walks and time together.
The Railway Retreat has been created by Chantal Cornelius and William Buist who have spent five years transforming a once purely functional outbuilding into an escape for couples seeking peace and space in the North Wessex Downs.
Built about30 years ago from solid oak timbers, the structure was originally used for storage and workshop space. Its reinvention has been a labour of love. “It was always something I imagined doing,” says Chantal. “When William joined me here, it felt like the right time to bring it to life – a mix of planning, patience and painting.”
The result keeps its history at the forefront, with the original oak frame remaining exposed, giving the interior warmth and character, while modern comforts have been carefully woven in rather than imposed. Underfloor heating runs throughout, alongside a ventilation system and an air source heat pump – behind-the-scenes details the owners call “hidden luxuries”, designed to make stays effortless. Reclaimed materials have been reused: old doors become sliding panels, Welsh chapel pews and scaffolding boards form shelving and finishes, and part of the original warped front door now forms an internal partition wall.
Set within its own private garden, the Railway Retreat is detached with its own parking and seclusion, despite sharing a driveway. Outside there are no street lights and little traffic – just countryside. The building sits beside the former Newbury & District railway line, now an orchard along which the old track ran. Guests can wander among fruit trees, relax in a hammock, or sit blissfully watching nature.
Designed for couples, the retreat is fully dog-friendly, with a secure enclosed garden. The Ridgeway National Trail is two miles away, offering walking across chalk downland, while nearby villages and market towns provide pubs and dining. Inside, a fully equipped kitchen allows cooking, while chef-prepared meal deliveries are planned. Breakfast can be taken care of too, with eggs from the owners’ hens and seasonal produce grown on site.
Small touches include fresh flowers, welcome treats, and celebration details arranged in advance. Alongside the Railway Retreat, the couple run Appletree Cottage and Bramblefield Cottage, a collection of rural stays focused on comfort, privacy and countryside living.
From farming and brewing to atomic research and car manufacturing, this year’s Abingdon-on-Thames Heritage Festival explores the town’s remarkable working history with exhibitions, heritage buildings, walks and family activities.
How did the people of Abingdon-on-Thames make a living 100, 150 or even 200 years ago? From farming and brewing to scientific breakthroughs, this year’s Abingdon-on-Thames Heritage Festival invites visitors to discover the people and industries that shaped one of Oxfordshire’s oldest towns.
Taking place on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September, the festival’s 2026 theme, Agriculture to Atoms, charts Abingdon’s extraordinary transformation from a traditional market town into a centre of innovation and scientific research.
For centuries, agriculture formed the backbone of the local economy, with crops supporting the brewing and malting industries while animal hides supplied thriving leather works. Visitors can discover how local craftspeople and businesses turned these raw materials into products that became synonymous with the town.
The festival also shines a spotlight on the thousands of women employed at Abingdon’s clothing factory, once one of the largest in the country, alongside the printers who produced everything from auction notices to theatre playbills. Exhibitions will also explore how improvements to sanitation, roads and clean water during the Victorian era transformed everyday life for local residents.
The story continues into the 20th century, when nearby Harwell and Culham established the area as a world leader in atomic research and scientific discovery. These pioneering industries attracted thousands of new residents and helped redefine the character of Abingdon for generations to come.
Visitors can explore this fascinating history through exhibitions, displays and archive films at the Guildhall and Unit 25, Bury Street, covering subjects including employment, car manufacturing and everyday life between 1800 and 1960.
Beyond the exhibitions, around 10 historic buildings across the town will open their doors, including several that are rarely accessible to the public. There will also be flower displays from Abingdon Flower Club, exhibitions by local artists, Saxon re-enactments, family activities, museum trails and the ever-popular guided heritage walks on the Sunday.
Whether you’re a lifelong resident or visiting for the first time, the festival offers a fascinating opportunity to uncover the stories of the workers, innovators and communities that helped shape modern Abingdon.
Find the full programme at abingdonheritage.org.uk, with printed leaflets available from early September.
Round & About’s digital editor Zoe Gater takes a trip to The Oxford Yurt for a relaxing rural escape, where you could also win a stay for yourself!
With busy schedules and packed calendars becoming the norm, finding time to unwind can feel like a luxury. A night at the Oxford Yurt, nestled in the Vale of the White Horse, promised exactly that – a chance to step away from everyday life and enjoy a slower pace surrounded by nature.
From the moment I arrived, it felt like I’d discovered one of Oxfordshire’s best-kept secrets. The site has a wonderfully relaxed feel, with cosy yurts dotted among wildflowers and greenery. Walking between them, I was struck by how peaceful everything felt. Daisies lined the pathways, rabbits hopped across the grass seemingly unbothered by visitors, and birdsong filled the air. After a deep breath of fresh air, it was easy to slow down and notice the little things – including a ladybird that landed on me, hopefully bringing a little luck.
The yurts themselves are warm, welcoming and surprisingly spacious. Rather than feeling designed purely for social media, they feel authentic and comfortable – a true home away from home. Thoughtful touches, including a hot water bottle waiting at bedtime, made the stay even more memorable.
A huge part of that atmosphere comes from owner Sarah. Inspired by her travels through India, Grenada and Portugal, she set out to create a community-focused space where people could connect, learn new skills and enjoy being present. That vision shines through across the site.
Whether you’re looking for a countryside escape, a unique hen-do venue or simply a chance to reconnect with your playful side, there’s plenty to do. Activities range from pottery workshops and painting sessions to wellness retreats and silent discos, all helping to create a sense of community.
Another thing that stood out was the site’s focus on sustainability. Sarah works with Smart Greens UK, founded by Ollie, whose aquaponics system grows fresh seasonal produce. The system produces leafy greens and vegetables in an innovative and environmentally conscious way, fitting perfectly with the site’s connection to the surrounding landscape – and creating delicious dishes!
What I loved most was how quickly the Oxford Yurt allowed me to switch off. In less than 24 hours, my mental to-do list felt quieter. There was no pressure to do anything beyond enjoying the moment, whether that meant sitting outside with a coffee, watching the wildlife or simply taking in the surroundings.
Although it was only an overnight stay, I left feeling refreshed and reluctant to leave. For anyone looking for a different kind of staycation, it’s well worth a visit.
Historic steam engines, family activities and a celebration of the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust’s 75th anniversary make Crofton Beam Engines a fascinating August bank holiday day out.
One of Britain’s most remarkable industrial heritage sites will burst into life this August bank holiday as Crofton Beam Engines celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust.
Taking place on Sunday 30 and Monday 31 August, the annual steaming weekend offers visitors the rare opportunity to see Crofton’s famous beam engines operating in their original home near Marlborough.
Built to pump water to the summit of the Kennet & Avon Canal, the engines worked continuously for 145 years before the pumping station closed in 1959. Their future was secured just a few years later when a dedicated group of steam enthusiasts, supported by the newly formed Kennet & Avon Canal Association – now the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust – launched an ambitious restoration project.
The trust purchased the pumping station in 1968 for just £75, beginning decades of work to restore both the building and its extraordinary machinery. Today, Crofton is believed to be home to the oldest working steam-powered pumping engines still operating in their original location anywhere in the world.
To mark the trust’s milestone anniversary, visitors can explore a special exhibition celebrating 75 years of restoring and protecting the Kennet & Avon Canal. The display looks back at the trust’s achievements while highlighting current conservation projects, future plans and opportunities for people to volunteer or become involved.
The exhibition also showcases the trust’s visitor experiences, including canal boat trips and specially adapted accessible boats designed for wheelchair users and visitors with additional needs.
Families will find plenty to keep younger visitors entertained too. Children can follow a themed trail, enjoy self-guided craft activities and discover the fascinating workings of canal locks through interactive demonstrations.
The Smithy Tea Room will be serving refreshments throughout the weekend, while visitors are also welcome to bring a picnic and enjoy the picturesque canal-side setting.
The site is open from 10am to 5pm, with access to the Engine House between 10.30am and 4.30pm. Visitors can arrive by road, bicycle, canal or on foot along the towpath, with free parking available during steaming days.
Discover where to see spectacular sunflower fields in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire this August, with Round & About’s guide to the region’s most beautiful golden blooms – perfect for family days out, pick-your-own flowers and late summer strolls.
Nothing captures the joy of late summer quite like a field of towering sunflowers. For a few glorious weeks each August, farms across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire burst into bloom, creating dazzling displays of golden flowers that are perfect for pick-your-own bouquets, countryside strolls and memorable summer days out.
This year’s hot, dry conditions have proved challenging for some growers, with a number of sunflower crops affected by the lack of rainfall. We’ve rounded up the sunflower fields and experiences that are opening their gates this summer – but it’s always worth checking ahead before setting off, as flowering times and opening dates can change quickly.
Sunflowers at Lillingstone Pick Your Own near Buckingham, Buckinghamshire
A family-run farm on the Buckinghamshire–Northamptonshire border, Lillingstone Pick Your Own is bursting with colour this August thanks to its vibrant sunflower fields. Visitors can wander through the blooms, tackle the winding sunflower maze and pick their own flowers to take home, making it a lovely way to celebrate the height of summer.
There’s plenty more to enjoy, too, from barrel train rides and friendly farm animals to the on-site café, where you can relax after exploring the fields. With special sunset sessions adding an extra touch of magic on selected evenings, it’s a wonderful choice for families, couples and anyone looking to make the most of sunflower season.
Sunflowers at Simms Farm near Bicester, Oxfordshire
A summer favourite for families, Simms Farm near Bicester combines two countryside classics: a sunflower field and a maize maze. Once the blooms are ready, visitors can wander through the golden flowers, explore the winding maze and enjoy a relaxed day on the farm.
The team is monitoring the crop closely, with opening dates announced once the flowers are ready, so check Simms Farm’s social media before travelling. Alongside the sunflower experience, visitors can enjoy homemade cakes and refreshments, making it a lovely late-summer outing for all ages.
Sunflowers at Rectory Farm near Stanton St John, Oxfordshire
Just a few miles from Oxford, Rectory Farm is one of the county’s best-loved pick-your-own destinations and a brilliant place to enjoy sunflower season. Its fields are filled with vibrant varieties, including the classic Sunrich orange and yellow blooms, alongside the striking Ring of Fire, with its distinctive red-centred petals.
Visitors can wander through the fields and hand-pick their own stems using secateurs supplied by the farm (or bring their own), while those who’d rather leave the picking to the experts can find freshly cut bunches in the farm shop. With pick-your-own fruit and vegetables also available throughout the summer, it’s easy to turn a sunflower visit into a wholesome countryside outing.
Sunflowers at The Flower Plot near Riseley, Berkshire
Set on the Wellington Estate between Reading and Basingstoke, The Flower Plot is one of Berkshire’s brightest late-summer destinations. Run by a family who have farmed the estate for more than 80 years, the sunflower field forms part of a wider environmental stewardship scheme, with the vibrant blooms providing an important food source for bees and birds with the farm’s wider sunflower growing helping to support pollinators and wildlife.
Open across selected dates during sunflower season, visitors can wander through thousands of golden blooms, snap photos with fun props and enjoy family-friendly attractions including a bale play area, barrel train rides and The Sunflower Shack, serving ice creams and cold drinks. It’s an easy way to spend a sunny August afternoon while supporting a working local farm.
Not sunflowers, but still worth a visit: Dahlia Beach at Millets Farm near Abingdon, Oxfordshire
While Millets Farm won’t be featuring its usual sunflower display this year, flower lovers can still look forward to a spectacular summer alternative with Dahlia Beach. Created in collaboration with Chelsea award-winning designer Andie McDowell, this colourful PYO dahlia experience features more than 8,000 dahlias planted around a bright pink double-decker bus.
Expected to run from August through to October, visitors can pick their own blooms, take part in flower-arranging workshops and enjoy a vibrant day surrounded by summer colour. Check Dahlia Beach’s Instagram for the latest opening information before visiting.
Round & About magazine’s resident wine columnist, Giles Luckett, recommends the best white wines for the summer.
Summer’s here and you know what that means: a hosepipe ban and an England cricket defeat. To wet your whistle and take away the taste of disappointment, here are five wines to make your summer sizzle.
First up, the Lusco Albariño (Oxford Wine Company £19.25). Made in Albariño’s spiritual home of Rías Baixas in northwest Spain, this wonderful wine offers refreshing complexity. On the nose, there are zingy notes of grapefruit, lemon, lime and dusty minerals. In the mouth, it begins with a burst of freshness before weightier tones of dried pears, peach stones and honey; it’s the perfect alfresco aperitif.
I’ll stay in Spain for my next recommendation, the Juan Gil Vino Ecologico (NY Wines £14.25). Made from organic Moscatel (Muscat) grapes, this is big on fragrance and fruit. Aromas of honeysuckle, rose petals, dried apricots, and oranges leap from the glass. Exotically flamboyant, this fruit cocktail of a wine gushes with grape, mandarin, lychee and lemon, which are lifted by the intoxicating Moscatel fragrance.
The French know a thing or two about wine, or so they’d have me believe. The Le Capitaine Vouvray Les Perrieres(Perfect Cellar £22.46) certainly suggests they do. Made from Chenin Blanc, this is an unusual, stylish wine that would pair well with everything from fish to spiced poultry. The nose offers stone fruits, baked lemons and wet wool. Generous and rounded, the melon, peach, pear and white currant flavours are hedged by floral and chalk notes. Lovely now, this has time on its side.
If you’re looking for something invigorating, dry and food-friendly, then try the Terra Organica Picpoul de Pinet (Ocado £14). Terra Organica is one of the most sustainable producers on the planet, something they’ve achieved without compromising on quality. Produced in the heat of the Languedoc, it’s fresh as a daisy and about as cheerful. Lemongrass and green apple with a subtle, salty hint open proceedings. The palate is crisp, light, immediate and loaded with lemon, lime, and grapefruit. This could be tart, but herbs, floral, and peach stones round things off and keep it balanced.
The Loire Valley is home to some of the world’s greatest whites. Wines like Sancerre, Vouvray, and Pouilly-Fumé are sublime wines that are rightly prized. Look a little farther afield, and you’ll come across other exciting whites such as the Joseph Mellot Touraine Chenonceaux Les Eclats de Silex (Roberts & Speight £19.99). Mellot is my favourite Sancerre producer. Their wines combine the complexity and intensity of cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc with the unique clay/limestone/flint soils of the region. This Touraine is produced on flinty soils and is a marriage of fruit and minerals. The bouquet offers green grapes, citrus, leafy blackcurrant and flint smoke. The palate is lean, dry, refined and polished. Mouthwatering green berries overlay a textured, dusty structure, making for a pure, fresh-tasting wine that’s crying out for roasted goats’ cheese, crab, monkfish or roast pork.
The Rhône Valley is best known for its red wines; its whites, except for things like Hermitage Blanc and Condrieu, tend to be overlooked. This is a shame as they can be fantastic. Take the Château de Gourdon Fontaine du Sud Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2024(Perfect Cellar £21.56). This blend of Viognier, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, and Roussanne (they do so love a mad mix in the Rhône) is a joy. Big-hearted and bold, stone fruits, honey, almonds, herbs, mint, and pepper tones swirl around this generous offering. The gorgeous, rounded texture adds greater emphasis, but there’s enough acidity to keep it clean and focused. Enjoy this on its own or with roasted white meats.
Argentina is best known for its mighty Malbecs, but its whites can be world-class too. Take the Zuccardi Q Chardonnay(Tesco £16.50). Golden, with mesmerising aromas of peaches, apples, honey, citrus and vanilla, it’s a bold introduction to a bold wine. Succulent and mouthfilling, there’s plenty of spicy oak here, but the opulent fruit can take it, so the baked apple, melon, and kiwi fruits are enhanced rather than overcome. Throw in Zuccardi’s signature energy and intense minerality, and you have a wine that’s gentle enough to enjoy on its own while pairing well with poultry, white fish and seafood.
England’s still wines have become the toast of the tasting table. Wines once thought of as impossible, such as varietal Chardonnay, are now delighting critics. The Simpsons ‘The Roman Road’ (Simpsons Wine Estate, £32) is the best I’ve tasted. Mid-gold, with glorious aromas of autumnal fruits, baked bread, and honeysuckle, the palate is equally arresting. An elegant, high-toned mix of lemon-drizzled pineapple, juicy white peach and a creamy hazelnut paste undercurrent. The texture is luxurious and adds to the classy impression. Bravo.
Australia offers an embarrassment of white wine riches, many of which offer exceptional value for money. Two that have grabbed my attention recently are the Folklore Sauvignon/Semillon (Tesco £10) and the Bélena Pinot Grigio (ASDA £15).
These wines couldn’t be more different. Well, obviously, they could, one could be red, sparkling and come with a free copy of the Sydney Morning Herald, but they do highlight the diversity in Australian winemaking.
The Folklore is so pale it looks like it’s been given a fright. The nose is alive with clean, crisp, green and yellow citrus, grapes, peaches, grass and nettles. Surprisingly elegant and precise, the fruit is controlled and taut with zingy grapefruit, rhubarb, and gooseberry, setting the scene. Nicely textured, with crunchy minerals interwoven into the medium body, it’s quite intense, firm and classy. This is a great buy and would be the perfect partner to peppery salads, pâte, grilled fish, or shellfish.
The Bélena is much more open and forward. Exotic fruits, lychees, sharon fruit, kiwi, gently rise from the glass, attended by red pear, lemon and white pepper. These are all present on the juicy palate in a sedate, graceful fashion. Easy going, there’s sufficient concentration and depth to make this interesting but not overwhelming. I tasted this on its own, and it was lovely, but with smoked salmon, salty canapés, or barbecued stuffed peppers, it would be even better.
I’ll finish with something completely different, the Tenuta Stella Collio Friulano(The Wine Factor £19.99). This is an extraordinary wine. I was expecting a pale, floral, light wine that would be pleasingly simple, but hardly profound. How wrong I was. Amber coloured with emerald highlights, aromas of honey, chamomile, banana and grapefruit rose from the glass. Full-bodied, multi-layered and dazzlingly complex, it took me three or four sips to get the measure of this. Stone fruits, mint, barley, and white chocolate, with a dry, firm, herb-tinted finish, this is a serious wine that I found paired wonderfully with mushroom tortellini. This is a winery I shall be revisiting later in the year.
