Autumn has arrived with that familiar mix of darker evenings and the cold setting in this week. The past few weeks have delivered plenty worth talking about. England continues to set its own pace, from West Sussex to Kent, with new releases that feel increasingly confident in their identity. Weyborne Estate’s Oriana Golden Spur shows just how far the South Downs has come, while Silverhand is quietly proving that sustainability and ambition can sit comfortably at the top end of the market.

The rise of middleweight adventure bikes has been driven by their affordability, versatility, and manageable size compared to larger, more expensive models. They appeal to a wider audience, including new riders, by offering a good balance of comfort, capability and accessibility, without the overwhelming power and sheer bulk that can often detract from the pure joy of the journey.

This year marks a remarkable milestone for House of Arras: three decades of redefining Australian sparkling wine. To celebrate 30 years of craftsmanship, Ed Carr—the visionary and Chief Winemaker behind the brand—hosted an intimate lunch that showcased the elegance, complexity, and longevity of his creations.

Following two epic journeys with the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio – first in summer 2024 with the Dolomites as the destination, crossing through Europe in a fantastic summer setting, and then again towards the Alps for a spring break skiing trip earlier this year in March – your correspondent, and his loyal co-pilot also known as Luigi P, got a big spring in their step when asked to venture on a journey to the beautiful forestry region of the Ardennes, with its endless rolling hills, rivers, and tarmac which grips like no other in Europe.

As a whisky writer, I’m acutely aware of how fortunate I am. Bottles arrive at my door with frequency. Invitations to distilleries and dinners appear often. Some I politely decline, others I gratefully accept. But once or twice a year, an invitation lands that changes everything. It gives the feeling I must imagine those that receive notification of being given a MBE feel. A date that you might move existing commitments for, such is the rarity and importance. 

Ferrari Roma Spider: Arrival in a Medieval Dream

The Ferrari Roma Spider is an Olympic gymnast of a car: elegant, agile, powerful, and perfectly proportioned. I decided the only way to truly get to know it was to take it on a 1,000-mile tour through the heart of France, visiting medieval Troyes, the Château de Montmelian, and finishing in the whirlwind glamour of Paris.

Images By Hayden Povey

I’m feeling rather smug about this analogy, which came to me while wistfully gazing into a warm pint in my local. Jonah Lomu, the insanely powerful New Zealand wrecking ball is, I’ve decided, the perfect way to describe the BMW M5 Touring for anyone in need of an automotive frame of reference.

A Journey Through Ypres and the Fields of Remembrance

Few European towns blend history and beauty quite like Ypres. Nestled in Belgium’s West Flanders region, this elegant city charms visitors with its cobbled streets, graceful façades, and lively squares filled with cafés serving excellent Belgian beer. It’s a region I’ve visited many times, not only for its accessibility but also for its superb cycling, equally appealing to families and seasoned racers.

Scotland’s whisky landscape has rarely stood still, but the pace of innovation and reinvention is apparent at the moment. From the opening of a gleaming new distillery on the banks of Loch Lomond to the return of one of Speyside’s great family names to global travel retail, the country’s distillers continue to balance heritage with forward thinking. There are fresh releases from rising independents, mythical bottlings from cult retailers, and even a clear spirit that challenges our very idea of what whisky should look like.