Market manager Kardien Gerbrands – aka Gerb – talks about what’s going on at Swindon’s farmers’ markets
It’s always exciting when new season crops come onto the market and I’m delighted to announce that Newtown Estates have the first grape wines made from single variety grapes, just in time to celebrate Easter and St. George’s Day from last year’s crop available at the Outlet farmers market on Sunday. Last year’s harvest of Huxelrebe, Phoenix and Schonburger grapes have produced three very pleasing and different wines.
The Huxelrebe is a robust medium dry wine full of the flavour of the grapes. After all the work pruning, tending and harvesting the grapes, it is very satisfying to know it really was worthwhile. The Schonburger grape, with its beautiful pink blush, produces the lightest, most delicate dry white wine that is perfect to drink on its own or as fine accompaniment to light dishes such as fish. The Phoenix, ripened in last years summer sunshine, is a crisp, dry, local all rounder, that I think can give a Chardonnay a good run for its money any day of the week. Don’t just take my word for it, find out for yourself.
l Bradford on Avon, third Thursday, 9am to 1pm at Westbury Gardens, BA15 1DE
l Bradford on Avon, last Sunday, 10.30am to 2.30pm at Lamb Yard, BA15 1FG
l Calne, second Saturday, 9am to 1pm, near the library, SN11 0JU
l Corsham, third Saturday, 9am to 1pm, High Street, SN13 0HB
l Devizes, first Saturday, 9am to 1pm, Market Place
l Malmesbury, second and fourth Saturdays, 9am to 1pm, Market Cross
l Royal Wootton Bassett, fourth Saturday, 9am to 1pm, High Street
l Salisbury, weekly on Wednesdays, 9am to 2pm, Poultry Cross
l Swindon Farmers Market, every Sunday, 10am to 4pm, Swindon Designer Outlet, Kemble Road, SN2 2DY
l Havelock Square Farmers’ Market, Swindon, every Thursday from 9am until 2.30pm.
l Trowbridge, second and fourth Friday, 9am to 1pm, Fore Street, BA14 8HX
l Wanborough, third Saturday of the month, 9am to midday, Wanborough Village Hall
l Warminster, first and third Fridays, 9am to 1pm, Central car park, BA12 9BT
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