Sizzling summer ideas

Karen Neville

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Summer holidays and longer warmer days are just begging to be filled with fun and with so many attractions and events to enjoy, you’re spoilt for choice

Bracing yourself for cries of “I’m bored, what can I do?” Don’t fret, there are so many activities and events on offer to entertain the little ones and not so little ones this summer, they’ll soon be wanting time to just do nothing!

Find activities near you:
Surrey
Buckinghamshire
Oxfordshire
West Berkshire & Wiltshire
Berkshire
Hants

Surrey

Hatchlands Park is bringing everything but the sea to Surrey this summer. Children will love dressing up and captaining the straw bale boat in the Walled Garden complete with ship’s wheel and bell! There’ll also be games and sports on the lawn and early years play by the new donkeys’ stables. Inside the house, discover extracts from the letters between Admiral Boscawen and his wife, Frances and explore the fascinating stories of some of the sailors who sailed with the Admiral. Plus outdoor theatre in the evening! www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/hatchlands-park

Journey back through British motorsport and take a trip in a vintage-style car up the infamous Test Hill or along the Members’ Banking of the old race track at Brooklands Museum near Weybridge.

There are animals to view and pet at Godstone Farm, hop on-board the popular tractor ride, explore the indoor and outdoor play areas or simply enjoy the cute farm animals. Want more animals? Merrist Wood near Guildford has recently been granted a zoo license, so this summer you can get up close to an amazing array of animals.

Here’s a different but charming way to spend a day during the hols. Meet The Llamas at Merry Harriers where every Saturday you can dine and meet the furry creatures. The trekker will take you to the field where you can feed them, stroke and learn a little about the lovely herd of 12 llamas. Book at [email protected]

Bucks

For a more relaxed day out explore the woods at National Trust property Hughenden during the school holidays with geocaching. Compete against each other in garden games or croquet on the lawn. Dress up in costumes for the performance stage area and get creating in crafting workshops. Booking not necessary for the Summer of Play which runs from July 22nd to September 4th.

Buckinghamshire’s much-loved family arts and literature festival, WhizzFizzFest, is back for 2023 and this year it’s going on tour over three weekends in July sharing the creative activities and memorable experiences all on the theme of friendship. Sunday 2nd, WhizzFizzFest
@Aylesbury on Sea with Aylesbury Town Council lands in Vale Park bringing a vibrant celebration of children’s creativity alongside plenty of beach-based fun at Aylesbury on Sea. Saturday 8th WhizzFizzFest @Desborough Carnival with High Wycombe BIDCo for a celebration of music and culture, free creative workshops, circus performances, street entertainment and more. WhizzFizzFest at Hats Off Chesham with Chesham Connect celebrates Chesham’s High Street, with added creative fun for all the family. Music, magic shows, crafting, climbing walls, giant bubbles and more on Saturday 15th – just don’t forget your hat!

Zip wires, Tarzan swings, rope ladders and a variety of obstacles and crossings are the challenges in store at Go Ape Wendover Woods. High up in the Chilterns, the leafy hideout is a hidden gem in the county and includes an ‘extreme’ site where you can take on the thrills and spills of the Chilterns Crossing and the Monkey Shuffle among other feats. Tree Top Adventure gives younger adventurers a chance to battle through obstacles and fly down zipwires with over 30 different crossings and two 80m zipwires for your little monkeys to try out.

Oxfordshire

Experience the thrill of being a medieval falconer and get up close and personal with magnificent birds of prey. Witness these graceful creatures soaring through the air, diving for their prey, and showing off their incredible hunting skills in Oxford Castle & Prison’s Castleyard on July 22nd. Join Knight School this summer there too. Don your armour, sharpen your sword and prepare to set out on a quest. Join in the Castleyard for medieval weapons training, jousting and archery – all under the supervision of the Castle’s knights. Once you’ve been trained, you will be knighted and presented with your own sword to take home. Select dates between July 24th and August 14th.

Abingdon’s Abbey Meadows is the scene for The Puppet Theatre Barge, one of the UK’s most unique venues, a 50-seat puppet theatre inside a converted Thames barge. The theatre will visit Abbey Meadows this summer with their new show The Selfish Giant, a puppetry production for all the family from July 22nd to August 13th.

Cogges Manor Farm‘s legendary Beer and Cider Festival is back with a bang on August 5th. Join them for a celebration in the Barns, for the 10th annual festival. Try over 40 different craft beers and 15 ciders, with live music to get the crowd dancing if the beer doesn’t help to loosen your inhibitions. The historic farm is also the location to enjoy summer theatre in the barn with Wind in the Willows on July 9th while Illyria bring Pride and Prejudice to the lawn on July 11th and Robin Hood on August 23rd.

Keep younger members of the family amused with Oxford Playhouse shows during the holidays including Zog, July 18th to 23rd, with his adventures through dragon school; go on an interactive adventure around the brain with Mind the Monsters at BT Studio, July 19th to 30th for 5-11 year olds. Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour is the ultimate curiosity adventure with monster trucks, excavators, and garbage trucks galore. Shake your wiggles out and OJ Twist your way through this brand-new musical party from August 15th to 26th for 2-7 years.

West Berks & Wiltshire

Wildfest 2023 on July 15th is BBOWT’s summer celebration at the Nature Discovery Centre in Thatcham. Guided walks, talks, music and family activities will fill the day, with local food and drink to enjoy. The newly-refurbished visitor centre offers a fun day out while the lakeside location is a haven for wildlife, woodland and trails to explore. bbowt.org.uk

The beautiful surroundings of Shaw House are the setting for a Summer Fair on July 16th where you can browse over 45 craft stalls from local makers with hot food and drinks from local caterers. Live music, craft activities with Ugly Duckling Pottery, performances from Mr Muddle the Magician and children’s rides will add to the fun and don’t forget your four-legged friend to enter into the dog show.

A monster truck display and rides, a motorcross display team, skydiving and aerobatic flying displays, hot air balloons, arena displays, live music and fireworks are all part of the attraction at Newbury Summer Fest on July 22nd, new for 2023. This big family day out is the way to start your summer holiday.

Top Gun: Maverick screams across the open air big screen at Cobbs Farm, Hungerford on July 22nd and there’s Shakespeare in the Garden the same night at The Hinds Head, Aldermaston when four actors will play numerous parts in Open Bar’s production of Twelfth Night.

Berkshire

All summer long you’re invited to come and play at Basildon Park. From July 1st to August 31st, take part in a variety of outdoor play activities. Test your skills on the wild play trail, where you can balance on logs, create your own ball run, and explore the great outdoors. Or try your hand at some lawn games, perfect for a family friendly competition. For the more active family members, there are a range of outdoor games to keep you moving. Don’t forget to take a picnic and enjoy a break in the beautiful grounds. Go along and join an adventure-filled summer at Basildon Park.

Building Royal Connections: Three women of Greys Court is a new exhibition running at the charming Henley property from July 20th until the end of October. Learn about the exceptional lives of three women, and how their influence contributed to the shifting landscape of Greys Court. Enter the worlds of Lettice Pennyston (c.1485-1558), Katherine Carey (1523-69) and Lettice Knollys (1543-1634).

Silent Summer Screenings are your go-to outdoor cinema for an unforgettable movie experience this summer. Whether you’re looking for a romantic night out, a family-friendly activity, or just fun with friends there are a variety of movies to choose from including at Henley’s Mill Meadows where you can enjoy Notting Hill on July 13th and Cool Runnings on July 14th.

Hants

Here’s a great way to get the summer off to a spectacular start. The Vyne Music Festival runs at the popular National Trust site from July 7th to 9th with three nights of music featuring Feel Good Friday when The FB Pocket Orchestra come complete with all of their electronic gadgets and the Still Moving DJ’s with their upbeat vibes, live percussion, ships’ lanterns, original vinyl records, gramophones, tankards and…dinosaurs! Absolutely Elton John takes to the stage on Saturday with a Gin & Jazz Party rounding off the weekend when you can grab your pearls and party like it’s 1929! Booking essential, https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/hampshire/the-vyne/events

The Vyne is also the setting for some fabulous outdoor cinema in July. Watch Elvis, 28th; Dirty Dancing, 29th; Top Gun, 30th and Mamma Mia, 31st. On August 5th join the star-crossed young lovers Romeo and Juliet as the Lord Chamberlain’s Men invite you to take your seat under the night sky. Bring your picnics, blankets, camping chairs and torches to the north lawn for an evening of lively entertainment. Book at https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/hampshire/the-vyne/events/d865e0b2-8794-48f2-a1b1-38f149970531?origin=search

This summer, join young Mary Lennox on a journey of discovery as she is sent to her uncle’s house in the countryside, where mysteries and secrets lurk around every corner in The Secret Garden… As she makes new friends and encounters magical creatures, Mary has one burning question: where is the location of her uncle’s secret garden, and where has he hidden the key? This enchanting story, loved by children and adults alike, is presented in the historic surroundings of Winchester Cathedral’s Lower Deanery Garden. Relive this tale of secrecy and curiosity in what will be one of the highlights of the summer on July 29th. Book at winchester-cathedral.org.uk/event/the-secret-garden-by-chapterhouse-theatre-company/

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Sigur Ros to play in Berkshire

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Image credit: Tim Dunk

Book your tickets to enjoy Sigur Ros at wonderful Wasing Estate on 2nd July

As far as life achievements go, soundtracking David Attenborough’s Planet Earth II for the BBC, as well as being the only band in the world to have acted in both Game Of Thrones AND The Simpsons is pretty unbeatable.

Step forward Icelandic rock royalty Sigur Rós who this week surprised fans with the release of ÁTTA , their first new studio album in ten years.

Sigur Rós are set to play a rare UK live show at Wasing Estate, near Aldermaston as part of this summer’s On The Mount At Wasing series of outdoor concert spectaculars.

Widely-known for their track Hoppipolla which soundtracked David Attenborough’s TV series, Sigur Rós will play as a UK outdoor festival exclusive nestled amongst the beautiful treescape in Wasing’s natural amphitheatre on Sunday, 2nd July.

ÁTTA, their first studio album in more than a decade – released on the same day they headlined the prestigious Meltdown Festival at London’s Royal Festival Hall, their only other UK live show of 2023.

Few bands cut through the noise and distractions of the world to bring you a pure elemental truth or feeling like Sigur Rós. As can be heard on ÁTTA (which boasts collaborators including the London Contemporary Orchestra), there’s a renewed compulsion and drive to the band that comes with the new formation of their line-up. Multi-instrumentalist Kjartan Sveinsson is back in the fold – having left the band in 2012 – to join frontman Jónsi and bassist Georg Holm.

In a post-pandemic world torn apart by war, economic turmoil, culture wars, and brutally divisive discourse, Sigur Rós’s music feels like a balming and unifying bond.

Talking of the new album ahead of the band’s Berkshire live show, Jonsi said: “We wanted the music to be really sparse, floaty and beautiful. When we do this, we always talk about each album as if it might be the last. We’re always thinking about climate change, doom-scrolling and going to hell. The world felt a bit bleak making this album, but maybe there is hope. When there is darkness, there is light.”

Sigur Rós (plus special guest Bat For Lashes) play Wasing Estate, Berkshire on Sunday 2nd July 2023.

egendary Abbey Road in the UK and a number of studios in the US.

The wondrous Wasing Estate is the suitably dramatic setting for the only UK date on the otherwise sold-out Sigur Ros tour. Final remaining tickets available now via ticketmaster.co.uk/on-the-mount-at-wasing

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Best Portuguese wines you can buy

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Think you know Portuguese wines? Round & About’s wine columnist says it’s time to drink again as he explores the cool climate wines of the Douro Valley

One of the great joys of wine is discovery. From new vintages of old favourites to wines from regions you’ve not encountered before, there’s always something to arrest your attention.

Every now and again, however, you come across wines that are not merely surprising but revelatory. Such epiphanies don’t come often, but when they do, they can change the way you think about wine.

I had just such an experience last week when I toured Portugal’s Douro Valley. To most wine lovers, the Douro – and Portugal as a whole means one wine, port. That fabled, seemingly immortal fortified wine is one of the world’s greats, but as I discovered on my trip, there’s a lot more to the Douro than just port…

“Fresh, elegant, tangy, and precise.” These are Portuguese tasting notes I’ve published precisely once, just now. Until recently, I thought of Portuguese wines as being big, intense, powerful wines which can take years of cellaring to open up, and that was just the whites. My recent trip showed me how things have changed. A quiet revolution has swept winemaking in this stunning land, and now delicate whites and refreshing, complex reds are popping up all over the upper reaches of the valley.

The Douro Valley: A Hotbed of Cool Climate Wines

So, let’s set the scene. The Douro Valley lies in northern Portugal on schist – I said schist – and granite soils. With steep slopes, plenty of sun and just enough rainfall, it’s an ideal place to produce grapes. Here endeth the Wine Spirit Education Trust (WSET) lesson. What WSET doesn’t make sufficient note of is the region’s altitude. The Douro can rise to over 700m, which provides the cool conditions required to produce fresh, elegant, tangy, and precise (second time) whites, reds, and even ports, as the following show.

The Pedra No. 03 White Port, Quinta Da Pedra Alta NV (N.D. John Wine Merchants £17.95)) tastes as good as it looks. And let’s face it; it looks beautiful. Three firsts for me here. One, being offered a cocktail – Pedra No. 03 with tonic – at a wine tasting. Second, tasting a white port I loved – I’ll be discovering unicorns next. And thirdly, being told by a winemaker not to worry too much about the grape mix. Portugal has more native grapes than any other country in the world – 250+. Chilled on its own, this presents a lovely peach, pear and honeysuckle nose with just a hint of almonds. In the mouth, it’s generous, flavoured with a combination of white berries, grapes, citrus and honey. There is sweetness, but the freshness keeps it balanced and clean. This crowd-pleaser is well-worth seeking out.

As our guide, the amazing Ana took us through our itinerary; a question popped into my head. ‘Does Portugal make sparkling wine?’ Before I could ask, she told me we’d be tasting several, and the Chão da Portela Bruto was my favourite. Traditionally made, it showed a nose of apples, peaches and yeast, while on the palate, there were tropical fruits, red apples, melon, red berries, and creamy yeast. A great fizz for what I suspect will be a great price, given what it goes for in Europe; it’s not imported to the UK yet, but when it does come in, stock up.

What can I say about the Manoella, Douro Branco, Wine & Soul 2020 (Tanners £17.95). Well, fresh, elegant, tangy, and precise are all terms that spring to mind (third time). There’s serious complexity here, too though. Layers of green and white fruits, lemons and a good dose of minerals produce a wine that’s made for seafood or white meats, which has the capacity to age and develop.

Port producers have been at the vanguard of these new Douro wines, and Kopke’s Quinta Sao Luiz Colheita Branco (Ocado £12.50) is excellent. Mid-gold in colour, there’s freshness and depth on the nose with musky, orange blossom notes lifted by grapefruit and lemon. The palate’s weighty, full of yellow plums, peaches and apricots, before a strident fresh acidity comes in at the end.

Stepping up a level, we have Quanta Terra ‘Terra a Terra’ Branco (FESTA £21.50). Lemons, limes, and grapefruit make for a mouth-watering opening before apples, peaches in syrup, and green herbs are added to the mix. This is a seriously good wine which has the power and persistence to go well with everything from pork to hard cheeses.

And so, to the reds. I’ve had hundreds of Portuguese red wines over the years. Generally, they’ve been excellent, on the weighty side, and great value. The 2018 Pedra a Pedra Tinto (Taurus Wines £16.99) shows two of these characteristics, but rather than being weighty; it’s lively, red berry driven and soft as a sigh. Raspberries, strawberries, and redcurrants are all on show, with an undercurrent of spices, herbs, and a touch of creamy vanilla—just the thing for roast lamb or roasted vegetable couscous.

The Pedacos Grande Reserva 2018 is another wine that isn’t imported as yet. This is a great shame as it’s a fantastically food-friendly wine. I tried it with wheelbarrow barbecued steak, and it was a marriage made in heaven, even if the nuptials were conducted in an alley behind the winery. Deep brooding colour, I thought it would be an old school bruiser, but beyond the plum, cooked blackberry, and cherry fruit, there was a vibrancy that was fresh, elegant, oh, and tangy. This has time on its side, and it’ll be fascinating to see it and how the Pedacos winery evolves.

I’ll finish, as so many great meals do, with a vintage port, the Quinta da Pedra Alta 2018 Vintage Port (Bancroft Wines £50.99). Vintage port is a rare wine, the product of a single year’s harvest; it makes up a tiny proportion of the port houses’ production, but it is often the wine they are judged by.

At best, it’s sumptuous, complex, rich, and capable of ageing for decades. What it never is, especially in youth, is fresh, elegant, and tangy. The Quinta da Pedra Alta 2018 is, and it’s all the more joyous for it. Even at this tender age, it offers masses of sweetly toned black fruits, cherries, figs, prunes, and herbs, but it does so in an elegantly balanced way. Whereas most vintage ports are about as wieldy as the Isle of Man when young, you could drink this now with food as table wine. It’s that refined and approachable.

I hope you will give Portuguese wines a try – particularly these new-wave wines from the Douro. They can be sensational and make for fascinating drinking.

Next time out, barbecue reds.

More soon…

Giles

Wine Tourism has been extremely popular over the last few years, either through organised tours or so-called DIY trips. If you’re thinking of doing one, I’d strongly recommend the Douro. The region is stunningly beautiful, the wineries are welcoming and the range of wines on the show is as breath-taking as the views.

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Toad Hall Henley art for sale

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Landscapes of Fawley Hall, the inspiration for Toad Hall in Wind In The Willows as well as the setting for Henley Royal Regatta are going under the hammer

With the approach of the popular annual rowing event Henley Royal Regatta on the river at Henley (Tuesday, 27th June to Sunday, 2nd July), Chorley’s auctioneers are delighted to present a series of landscapes depicting views of the Thames Valley where the race takes place.

Fawley Court, the nearby country estate also includes the famous Temple Island, where the world-renowned race begins each year and was the inspiration for Toad Hall in the much-loved 1908 children’s book Wind in the Willows by British novelist Kenneth Grahame.

The three landscapes in pen, ink and watercolour show Fawley Court in all its glory surrounded by the charming countryside around Henley and is a celebration of the area, which now pertains to the excitement of the rowing races taking part along its riverside. Fawley Court was originally designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1684 and was then remodelled for Sambrooke Freeman (1721-82), of the prominent Freeman family, for whom Fawley Court was the ancestral home. (Freeman was a member of Parliament for Pontefract in Yorkshire from 1754–61 and Bridport in Dorset from 1768–74).

The remodelling was done by English architect James Wyatt in the 1770s in the Neoclassical style and extensive landscaping and garden redesign was carried out by English landscape architect Capability Brown (1715-83) in the 1760s. Freeman also commissioned Wyatt to design and build the aforementioned temple for the island on the Thames, positioned in full view of the house, now known by all rowers and Henley locals as “Temple Island” and a landmark for the start of the race each year. Fawley Court passed to Sambrooke’s nephew, Strickland Freeman in 1782. It then passed down through the Strickland family of Apperley Court to the current owner.

As well as inspiring the home of Toad of Toad Hall in The Wind in the Willows, Fawley was requisitioned (along with Bletchley Park) as a decoding centre during the Second World War. In 1953 it was bought by the Marian Fathers, a Polish clerical congregation to be used as a boarding school, which became a hub for the local Polish community. It is now privately owned.

The works were created by British landowner, artist and garden designer Coplestone Warre Bampfylde (1720-1791), who is known for capriccio landscape painting and portraits. His work was regularly exhibited at the Royal Academy and the Society of Artists. He was well known for his design, sketches and paintings of his family’s Hestercombe estate, which are now listed Grade 1 on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England. He also painted several views of the Stourhead estate and gardens. His stunning works champion the English countryside depicting sweeping landscapes of natural beauty in various parts of the country with very accurate and scenic detailing.

The three landscapes will be offered  as one lot (Lot 271) in Chorley’s upcoming sale of Old Masters, British and European Art on Tuesday 27th June. Visit Chorley’s Auctioneers(chorleys.com)

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The adventurous pair behind BLACKLION vodka

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Tim & Tam Spittle tell us about the vodka made from sheep’s milk thanks to their friendly “Black Lions” on the family farm and summer walks, tours and tastings to enjoy

Vodka is typically made from potato, grain, even grapes. But sheep’s milk? This was the challenge Tim & Tan Spittle couldn’t wait to climb.

“Sheaf House Farm, which Tim’s mum and dad bought over 50 years ago, would simply never survive today as a small Cotswold sheep farm if we didn’t also try new things,” explains Tan.

“We’ve always loved vodka. We were thinking of alternative diversifications and thought it needed to be niche. Knowing about cow’s milk vodkas, we wondered why no one had ever done it with sheep’s milk. That’s where it began.”

Milk for the vodka comes from Tim and Tan’s beloved flock of Black Lion sheep, all crossbred from Swiss Valais Blacknose and grazed on what has been the family farm for two generations. BLACKLION was created as a premium sipping vodka using the sugar-rich whey left over after cheese-making that would otherwise go to waste. “Creating BLACKLION took us on a four-year adventure working with amazingly talented and patient local distillers to perfect a vodka we love.” says Tim.

Since launching, the vodka has legions of fans, as well as winning a galaxy of gold star reviews and was featured on Gordon Ramsay’s last episode of Future Food Stars last month (above). “Gordon was incredibly genuine and inspiring,” adds Tan, “and we were just so pleased with his enthusiastic review, after tasting BLACKLION.”

The vodka’s unique and crisp, full-bodied flavour also serves a smooth with a warming aftertaste and a hint of edelweiss.

As for the beautiful sheep behind the creation, this iconic breed originated in the mountains of Switzerland, explaining why the Matterhorn appears on every bottle. “When we came up with the idea, we thought we needed to make our vodka doubly rare; so we created our own breed of sheep the “Black Lions”. A cross between the Swiss Valais Blacknose and a British milking sheep, they have an unbelievable temperament – they’re almost too quiet; too friendly!”

Tim & Tan will start their own farm walks, tours and tastings over the summer, offering guests the chance to meet the sheep and taste the vodka.  “We’ll have a mixologist making different cocktails and it will just be a lovely day out for everyone to enjoy,” adds Tim.

“This part of the world remains to be the one of the most beautiful regions of Great Britain with its rolling hills, spectacular views and majestic towns and villages. It’s also home to some incredibly talented chefs, local producers and craft drink distillers making it a fantastic destination for foodies!”

For more info visit Blacklion Vodka

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Summer sparkling wines worth your time

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From Cava to Champagne, Tasmania to South Africa, our wine columnist Giles Luckett serves up the 10 best sparkling wines on the market

Summer’s here, and I’m in a sparkling mood. Having had to put the log burner on throughout May (sorry, Greta), the sun’s finally shining, and that calls for fizz.

Such is the effervescence of my disposition that I’ve decided to do a bumper edition and run down my top ten sparkling wines for summer 2023. The following are drawn all over the world and run the gamut of styles from desert-bleached bone dry through to a rich off-dry Champagne that is bottled elegance. They vary in price from “A dangerous third bottle…?” to “I can’t wait for your 50th, so we can have that again” by way of whites and rosés. What unites them is their excellence and how astonishingly versatile this glorious style of wine can be. So, pop pickers, in at number ten…

10. A new entry, all the way from South Africa, it’s the Kleine Zalze Cap Classique (Taylors Fine Wines £21). This is a ripe, soft, fruit-driven wine that’s deliciously satisfying. Mid-gold, the nose boasts tropical fruits, yeast, and a lovely biscuity tone. It’s broad and expansive in the mouth, with big flavours of peach, apricot, guava, and a tang of lemon. A fine solo sipper, it’s a wine where two bottles seem ideal.  Well, that’s what we’ve found on more than one occasion.

9. At number nine, we have a re-issue of a much-loved classic, the Roger Goulart Reserva 2019 (Surrey Wine Cellar £19). This is to bog-standard Cava what a Ferrari 355 is to the family run about. It’s in a different class. Invitingly deep gold colour, the nose is evolved, rich and full of autumn fruits. On the palate, the long bottle age shows again, presenting magnificent tones of apricot, red pear, nectarine, and crushed nuts. The finish is long, mellow, and rounded. This is a serious Cava that’s seriously good. It was made for pairing white meats, and meaty fish such as monkish or heavily smoked salmon.

8. A non-mover at number eight, and another Spanish stunner, it’s the Cune Cava (Majestic £9.99). This is one of those wines that always leaves me smiling. Its consistency is admirable, if unremarkable, given that the amazing CVNE team makes it, and it never disappoints. Pale gold, the nose is a cheerful blend of honeydew melon, pears and grapes with a warm, bready tinge. In the mouth, it’s light to medium-bodied and offers white-skinned fruits backed by rounded yet fresh acidity and a hint of honey — a joyous accompaniment to a summer’s evening.

7. At seven, we’ve got the first of two wines from South Africa’s Graham Beck.  Regular readers of this column will know I’ve long-admired Beck’s back catalogue, but this a new wine that has classic written all over it. It’s the Graham Beck Ultra Brut 2016 (VINUM £19.90). If you like your sparkling wines bone dry but approachable and complex, this is an excellent choice. Bottle-aged for three years prior to release; at this point, this is a fresh, zesty wine with underlying notes of brioche and peach stones. This is better with food at this point – oily fish, white meats, and creamy cheeses are all good – but it will age and mellow out over the next three-to-five years.

6. Another new entry at number six, it’s the Simonnet-Febvre Crémant de Bourgogne (Tesco £15). Crémant de Bourgogne is a sparkling wine made in Burgundy, and like most crémants, they offer great wines that are great value for money. Simonnet-Fevre has been making classic wines in Chablis since 1845, and their class shows through here.  A blend of Chardonnay supported by Pinot Noir, on the nose, there’s plenty of fresh green apple and pear with underlying notes of chalk and a saline touch.  It’s clean and tangy in the mouth but soon develops a peach, yellow plum and vanilla creaminess.  Wonderfully versatile, it’s the perfect aperitif, but it goes equally well with smoked fish or a peppery rocket and goat’s cheese salad.

5. Taking fifth spot is a wine from a land down under; the Jansz Premium Cuvée (Waitrose £18.49). The first time I tasted this tremendous Tasmanian sparkler was at the winery when our press tour was treated to a tasting of 30+ wines, none of which we wanted to spit, few of us did, and the afternoon was a contented, if sleepy, blur.  A recent encounter reminded me of quite how good this wine is.  The bouquet melds white berries, plums, honeysuckle and citrus. At the same time, its generous, multi-layered tones range from autumnal berries to tropical fruits, almonds, and finally, lemon-soaked minerals and smoke.  This is undoubtedly one of the world’s greatest sparkling wines, yet it remains affordable.

4. At number four, Graham’s back, this time with the Graham Beck Blanc de Blancs 2018 (Majestic £18.99). Being produced from 100% Chardonnay from cooler, high-altitude sites, you might expect this to be light, bright and breezy, and as about as substantial as a marshmallow crash helmet, but like me, you’d be wrong. Extended bottle age before release has leant this wine weight and depth. Mid-gold, the nose has a vanilla foam scent to it before fresh flavours of grapefruit and lime come forth. On the palate, the bright green apple, peach, and apricot flavours are powerful yet balanced, and there’s a lovely finish of limes and coconut at the end.

3. This week at three, it’s the Champagne Taittinger’s Nocturne (Waitrose £45), the only ballad in this summer’s chart.  Nocturne is a ‘Sec’ champagne which means it has a much higher level of sweetness – 17.5 grams per litre, versus less than 12 grams for ‘Brut’ (Noel Edmonds never gave this level of detail on Top of the Pops!). The result is a wine that has a luxuriously full, opulent mouthfeel.  Taittinger’s signature peaches in syrup accent take centre stage, and as you sip, the richness builds.  This could quickly become cloying and sickly, but extended ageing and perfectly judged citrusy acidity make it mellow and harmonious.

2. At number two, but only by a whisker, is the Bruno Paillard Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs (Petersham Cellar £60). I bought a parcel of Paillard’s wines earlier this year and have been happily tasting my way through them. While all are outstanding, and the Dosage Zero (Wanderlust Wine £59) almost made it to this list, the Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs is on another level. 100% Chardonnay from 100% rated vineyards, this is everything you could wish for from a blanc de blancs. Fragrant, mixing white flowers, grapes, greengages, and vanilla notes, the complex aromas are a prelude to a wine that is soft, subtle, and astonishingly complex. Baked apple, ripe comice pear, white currant, and grapefruit are wrapped in a creamy, nutty finish. I’ve had this on its own and with foods as diverse as baked white fish, roasted artichokes, and pork medallions, and it’s always performed beautifully.

1. And holding the number one spot, we have a wine that tastes as beautiful as it looks, the Gosset Celebris Extra Brut 2007 (The Champagne Company £119.50). Gosset is a champagne-lovers’ champagne. Made without compromise, all have a steely backbone from their wines not undergoing malolactic fermentation, which converts firmer malic acid into softer latic acid. Not doing “malo” as it’s known, preserves the wine’s purity and extends its life. Gosset’s wines need age – I prefer the non-vintage after a couple of years in bottle – and the Celebris gets a minimum of ten years.  2007 is a wine that offers piercingly beautiful notes of red berries, blackcurrant leaves, lavender honey, yeast and spices in a powerfully refined fashion. Food’s best friend, try this seafood – it’s sublime with lobster (someone was paying), white fish or spring lamb.

Well, that’s it for this edition.  Here’s to a sparkling summer.

Next time out, everything’s coming up rosés…

More soon!

Giles

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Lowde & proud festival fun!

Round & About

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Lowde Fest offers music from bands big & small and much more fun at Hazeley Bottom on Saturday, 1st July

Are you looking for the best festival to attend this summer? Wanting that Glastonbury experience at a more affordable expenditure…? Then look no further as Lowde Fest is back on 1st July!

Taking place at Hazeley Bottom Farm in Hampshire with the best summer vibes, lively music and a full day of entertainment, Lowde Fest brings a two-stage twist to not only have the latest big acts but a new wave of talent too. Dome stage will pay homage to some of the world’s biggest and best bands/performers and the Keith Bennet stage will provide a key platform for upcoming talent. Some of which include Kerry Goodhind, who has previously featured by BBC Introducing and is now working on a new EP, and singer-songwriter Louis Coupe whose previous highlights include performances at Radio 1’s Big Weekend and the Royal Albert Hall.

On top of the Glastonbury vibes, Lowde Fest also focuses on giving back to the kids through music by fundraising for the continued use of music to improve the well-being of young people. The festival is the vision of founder Martin Lowde after the passing of his father, Lowde Fest is an important opportunity to support the work of the Lowde Music Trust, which champions Music for Good.

Martin says: “We founded Lowde Fest on a very simple premise, we wanted to give people in and around Hartley Wintney and Hook a fantastic, affordable day out in a safe space, with professional entertainment standards.”

To add to the music, families and friends can also enjoy the funfair catered for all ages (subject to each ride). Rides and attractions include the dodgems, gravity ride, flying plane, face painting and the kids zone. Want to stop for a bite to eat? Well, the selection of food and drinks from all over the world will keep your hunger and thirst quenched during the day. If you’re looking to take your Lowde family day out experience further, Lowde offers opportunities for camping too.

Make the most of your summer with Lowde Fest, the perfect Glastonbury alternative. Buy your tickets at lowdefest.com & under-fives go free.

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Eynsham Carnival on Saturday, 1st July

Round & About

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Roll up, roll up to this family-orientated village carnival featuring a parade, shirt race, morris dancing & craft fair!

Eynsham Carnival is a village institution – bringing traffic to a standstill on the first Saturday in July.

A parade follows the traditional madcap Shirt Race around the centre of the village ending at the Queen Elizabeth playing field in Oxford Road, OX29 4HG. Fantastic acts, funfair, stalls and a craft fair along with a bar, tug of war and lots of family friendly activities make for a great day out.

Morris dancing, Shirt Race and parade from 11am in the village centre, carnival field open from 1pm. Craft fair 12pm-6pm. Disabled parking only on site, other parking available a short walk away at the Siemens plant.

£5 on the door/ £4 advance/ £3 children & concessions. Under-fives & carers free. Tickets available in advance in Eynsham from Evenlode DIY, Post Office & Eynsham Cellars. Visit Eynsham Carnival and see @EynshamCarnival on Facebook.

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Alpine skier’s art exhibition in Guildford

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Teenager Molly Butler is helping making her alpine skiing dreams come true through her art exhibition at The Hideaway Café

Molly Butler, a sprinted 16 year old learned to ski about the same time she was learning to walk! She is intent on pursuing one goal – to become a top alpine ski racer.

Being selected to represent Team GB at the European Youth Olympics in Italy in January, and in May being selected for the GB alpine squad, was just the first step on the journey.

As Molly is from a family without substantial wealth, it is no mean feat in finding the funds to cover the equipment, training, travelling and so on. A full year of required training to maintain this level of competition is more than £30,000. But sadly, for GB alpine athletes, there is no funding available, constant support is needed to continue.

To help fund her ski racing several years ago Molly set up a small business where she sells prints of her artwork, cards and other small gifts. View her work at (mollybutler.co.uk).

This summer Molly is exhibiting her art for three months from June 19th at the Hideaway Cafe in Guildford, an initiative of the Matrix charity providing a lifeline for vulnerable young people across Guildford Borough.

She’ll be working hard to help with the extortionate fees race training brings with it but she will be helping others with 25% from her sales going towards Matrix, making the whole exhibition even more worthwhile and meaningful.

Molly is so happy to be living her dream, she says: “I was born to ski, I couldn’t think of doing anything else in my life.”

Her second ‘love’ is her art. “I’ve combined my love for both skiing and art to create my unique hand-drawn gifts,” she explains. “The inspiration for my original artwork prints and the designs comes from the mountains and the natural world. All of my products make great gifts and are practical too. Wherever I am, or whatever I’m doing, the snow-capped peaks always remind me to keep chasing my dreams.”

By visiting Guildford and stopping by the Hideaway café to view and purchase Molly’s artwork (as well as enjoying a great coffee and cakes) you are not only supporting Molly, you will be joining her on her journey as well as supporting others.

And you can share every step, and all the action, by following Molly on Instagram and Facebook.

If you can’t make it to the exhibition please consider visiting her website and making a purchase.

She also has a dedicated Fundraising page.

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Kingham Plough, fit for a queen

Liz Nicholls

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We enjoy The Plough in Kingham which has earned rave reviews as one of the best foodie pubs with rooms in the country

One week on and I can’t stop rabbiting on about my fairytale slice of Cotswold heaven… So I might as well tell you about it as well.

Kingham, out in the laciest Oxfordshire fringes, is the sort of honey-hued village that tourists dream about but rarely wake up to. The 17th century Plough, right opposite village green, canopied by an awesome oak, is arguably (from a visitor’s POV) its beating heart, throbbing with friendly, thirsty locals. Among this fun-loving crowd is the amazing Blur bassist and cheesemaker Alex James (who hosts The Big Feastival on his idyllic dairy farm) and his big family.

The Plough has won rave reviews and Gastro Pub awards as one of the UK’s best, earning foodie fame thanks to Great British Menu winner Emily Watkins. Since 2019 it’s been in the capable hands of Matt and Katie Beamish who have worked with the likes of Raymond Blanc, Jamie Oliver and Fergus Henderson, and for hotels across the country. Even if you’re a hotel-hopper of Princess and the Pea proportions, you’re sure to be won over by the full royal flush of hospitality.

Swathed in summertime blues in the middle of a tricky week, I was lucky enough to book into a room above the oak-beamed barn that was fit for a queen. Tucked into the eaves, this super-classy space was the perfect luxe crashpad for two hungry girls, with its rolltop bath, double vanity sink and humungous, comfortable bed big enough to accommodate a side of morris dancers (maybe next time).

Back down into the pub for that much-anticipated dinner and we were greeted by the smiley staff and punters with a welcome warmer than the weekend heatwave. The interior is achingly cool and quirky (think mismatched furniture and original art and photography on the wall, all for sale).

A rarity for me (I’m very decisive when it comes to food, and only food) the menu presents a challenge because all of the seasonal dishes conjure up pure magic. Matt and Katie continue Emily’s legacy of championing local artisan products and sourcing the best fresh, local ingredients in this fertile patch, resulting in first-world conundrums such as: “watercress, wild garlic and pea soup or Smoking Brothers teriyaki salmon tartar, with caviar, avocado & wasabi, radish & crostini…” And that’s just for starters. The chicken liver parfait, with crispy chicken skin, sauterne and the most adorable still-warm mini brioche was the ultimate choice, by the way, and I want it again.

Proving that this is a proper boozer rather than pretentious in the least, the mains include (I gawped, and, yes, also tried) a stunning fish & chips and an epic cheeseburger, all cooked on the new wood-fired grill and oven. But there was no food envy because I fell, hook, line & sinker, for my pan-roasted tender halibut, in white wine sauce, with asparagus, Cornish Mussels (which I don’t normally even like), samphire and little copper saucepan of new potatoes with hazelnuts (my new fave combo).

Afterwards, we devoured a carrot cake baked Alaska with blood orange sorbet but (rubbernecking at the nearby tables) the baked mint chocolate torte, meringue and fruit and sticky ginger cake with rum butterscotch sauce, lime curd and coconut sorbet seemed to hit the spot as well.

Throw in a couple of cosmic Cosmopolitans to start and bookend the meal with a couple of fat fingers of Cotswold Cream (which puts Baileys in the shade) and I was grinning like a Cheshire cat, having left all my troubles at home.

The pub has an amazing wine list, if that’s more your jam, and the friendly team recently launched a new outside catering service, The Potted Goose, for private parties.

As the lucky winner of our May competition is about to enjoy, the Plough’s Little Barn, a luxurious two-bed self-catering cottage 300m from the pub, sleeps four and includes wood burner, fully equipped kitchen, wifi and outdoor space with barbecue. I’d consider booking in for any kind of special occasion (or when there’s a y in the day of the week) as soon as I can.

And, just when the hype is at fever pitch, I have to say that the Plough offers what might just be Britain’s best breakfast – so heartwarming for your onward journey that I had to hunt down the source of the sourdough (Marks Cotswold Bakery) to buy some of that sourdough to take home…

Double rooms £150-£195 a night on a B&B basis. Little Barn from £375 a night on a B&B basis. Dog-friendly rooms £10 a night extra per dog. Call 01608 658 327 or visit The Kingham Plough.

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