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Monthly Archives: July 2013

Right Bank, Think Tank!

11 Thursday Jul 2013

Posted by juleslewis in Wine

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Château Pontet-Canet, Microclimate, Terroir, Wine

Thinking whilst drinking is a prerequisite when tasting wine. Over – thinking however, results in the approach being too analytical and the enjoyment then diminishes. It is vital that one appreciates wine as a drink which accompanies a meal. A direct consequence of glorious gardening, micro climate, distinctive terrior, location and vintage variation, together with a minimum of sensitive and experienced handling.

It should not be seen purely as an investment, more as something to share with people who matter to you – it helps of course if they have some taste buds!

As for finding an occasion to open some bottles of good wine, abide by the words of Master Yoda “Do or do not – there is no try”


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For those who require analytical comment: The wines were both exquisite in different ways: The Pontet being the better of the two, with deep blackcurrent fruit of excellent concentration, well balanced and still showing great colour with very little rim to core variation. The tannins were ripe but with good grip, and the finish was long and made you want to rapidly refill your glass.

The Talbot showed some browning at the rim – although still on the youthful side. The nose was more restrained and not as ripely lush as the Paulliac, the predominantly blackcurrant fruit was fading slightly,  acidity was evident and the tannins and overall structure of the wine was beginning to loosen.

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A Tale of Two Chenins

10 Wednesday Jul 2013

Posted by juleslewis in Wine

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Chenin Blanc, Savennières, Vouvray, Wine

I love Chenin Blanc! Lush, full bodied, citrus and honeyed fruit of particular intensity (especially the Savennieres), beautifully balanced by a nervy acidity and marked throughout with the intellectual muscle of minerality from its terrior. An altogether perfect summer antidote to the rafts of dubiously priced Pinot Grigios’ currently weighing down the shelves of the high street stores. Image

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My Dora Story

10 Wednesday Jul 2013

Posted by juleslewis in Surf

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All for a Few Perfect Waves, Anglet, Biarritz Olympique, France, Miki Dora

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“The Time: Late September 1983. The Place: The terrace of Le Sables D’Or,Chambre d’Amour, Anglet, France. The Cast: Brian Hegarty – former All Black rugby tourist, local celebrity and centre for Biarritz Olympique. Miki Dora – maverick surfer, nomad , living legend. Yours truly. The reason: Dora and I are there for the free lunch (with wine). Brian is picking up the tab!

Brian settles himself into a chair that is slightly too small for his large frame. I am fresh out of the water, extremely excited and fit easily into the restaurant furniture as I never have quite enough to eat. Miki is taciturn, monosyllabic and probably irritated by the presence of yet another young punk surfer.

Neither Brian or I ask Miki too many surf related questions – Brian because he is already familiar with Miki (Miki used to park his large, green Mercedes van outside Brian’s house in order to hook up to his electricity) me because I am slightly in awe of the great man and do not want to appear over eager and gushing.

We turn our attention to the menu and wine list.

The wine helps the situation (a decent Banyuls Rose’), as does the glorious sunshine and beautiful 5ft waves peeling off the groins front and centre. Miki however, appears distracted and slightly rude – lacing his comments with a little too much cynicism for an optimistic young man like me.

I leave the lunch feeling let down, my meeting with an idol somewhat tarnished. I found out nearly thirty years later (from David Rensin’s admirable Biography of Dora “All for a few perfect waves“), that Miki was fresh out of federal custody and had just returned to France.

We never met again in a formal situation, but some weeks later he smiled and hailed me a rapid “Bonjour” in the car park at Les Cavaliers. 

It is the smile and the wave that stay, rather than the lunch – although I do recall that the food was good – Thanks Brian! 

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Recycled Longboard

10 Wednesday Jul 2013

Posted by juleslewis in Skate

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After much persuasion from my children, and much dissent from my wife – “Dad you simply have to get a skateboard” “You are not”! “If you break anything when you fall” (As if falling were inevitable) – Here it is! I routinely buy skateboards for my boys, but the prerequisite here was that this board cost as little as possible. The deck is a recycled Chinese longboard, with the tail cut off – not in great condition – but beggars can’t be choosers.  The trucks are off another board, the bearings are cleaned and only the wheels and the grip tape  are new – overall cost – fourteen English pounds!ImageImageImageImage

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Scrumdiddlyumtious

05 Friday Jul 2013

Posted by juleslewis in Wine

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Mas de Daumas Gassac, Meursault, Wine

The Daumas Gassac was excellent, slightly restrained nose with damsons, chocolate,pepper and spice. Lovely mouthfeel, soft and delicious with great fruit,ripe tannins,enough acidity to balance and a long finish. Unfortunately the Meursault was knackered!

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Evening

05 Friday Jul 2013

Posted by juleslewis in Surf

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One of the disadvantages of the landlocked is the long drive to the beach. Surf reports and web cams make it easier, but they also bring crowds – just ask those Irish boys.

Surfing in the gaps is the answer. Early mornings are best, before the youngsters leave their beds. Evenings are good too –120 mile round trip, 4-6ft,topped off with a cold one!

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Little red wheels

02 Tuesday Jul 2013

Posted by juleslewis in Skate

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Road Rider 4, circa 1976, unused.Image

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New work

01 Monday Jul 2013

Posted by juleslewis in Art

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“My recent works are made up from images that I collect and store for future usage.They are a combination of the drawn and found”.

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Oil painting workshop

01 Monday Jul 2013

Posted by juleslewis in Art

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Strad

01 Monday Jul 2013

Strad

Stradivarius exhibition at The Ashmolean Museum, Oxford from June 13th to August 11th.

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Posted by juleslewis | Filed under Art

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