thesprezzaturist

~ "studied carelessness"

thesprezzaturist

Monthly Archives: August 2013

Children of the Revolution

30 Friday Aug 2013

Posted by juleslewis in Surf

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Biarritz, British Isles, France, Jeff Hakman, Quiksilver, Surf

Everybody surfs, at least thats how it seems nowadays. Surfing is the new skiing, eagerly embraced as a lifestyle choice by the middle classes, anxious for their own slice of “flow” psychology. The revolution has been rapid – and it has been televised! Back in the early 70’s, (when I began) surfing was a sport for drop outs, counter culture vultures and staunch individualists.

Acceptance was earned – you sat away from the peak, gradually moving over as your ability allowed. You took your waves (after the locals) and in time a nod and a greeting was offered up. You became part of the tribe – a made man. Each area of the British Isles had its own crew, ranging from urban to country, and you came to know one another intimately over time. The globalisation of Europe began in earnest in Biarritz, France, in the early 1980’s with Quiksilver taking over the old Freedom shop near the Palais. Spearheaded by Harry Hodge and Jeff Hakman the company embarked on its journey from purveyors of boardshorts to industry giant.

Today, surf fashion, lifestyle and culture are sported by surfer and non surfer alike. It would wrong to cast the finger of blame at the industry itself – after all it is only selling an image. Courting controversy, I point the fickle finger at the surf schools. These schools or academies as they are often called, have been set up by surfers to enable them to earn a crust from the sport they love. Ironically most instructors (like lifeguards) spend less time riding waves than they originally anticipated. Their main clientele tend to be the children of the Bodenese, Willsanians, Hollistarians and Abercrombites, the parents of whom think nothing of spending 35 English pounds an hour for Milly, Tilly, Jilly, Jonty and Jasper to ride the wild surf.

Don’t misunderstand me, as a youth I was utterly convinced that only a surfer knew the feeling, and was amazed that more people didn’t take up the sport to experience the freedom and thrill that was the preserve of the surfing tribe. Now of course they do, and in their defense the hard working surf schools have put a huge smile on the faces of the able and disabled alike. What is notably absent from the children of the revolution is etiquette. The new breed of surfer is not taught to position themselves in the line up so as not to interfere with other surfers. They paddle towards the rider, not away, failing to take their lumps in the white-water. The surfer on the peak regularly has their ride cut short by a wind-milling paddler dropping in like an unpredictable motorist at a road junction. The worst trait however is not looking behind when jettisoning a board in the face of a larger set wave – learn the ropes first and we shall all be safer in the water. I have faith that the surf schools will change this.

The film is a real treat, although the tongue is firmly in the cheek, it may be a little close for comfort.

Advertisement

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • More
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...

“COS I love you”

30 Friday Aug 2013

Posted by juleslewis in Wine

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Denominazione di origine controllata, Frappato, Nero d'Avola, Sicily, Vittoria, Wine

IMG_1344

I love the wines of COS – and this little gem in particular. It hails from the Vittoria region of Sicily and is the only Sicilian DOCG.

COS was formed back in the New Romantic era of 1980 (I now have Duran Duran’s “Union of the Snake” going round in my head) by three old school friends; Giambattista Cilia, Giusto Occhipinti and Pinuccia Strano, who – after a brief  flirtation with new barriques – soon realized that their distinctive terroir was presenting them with flavours that didn’t benefit from a cloak of new oak. They now use a combination of old barrels and 400 litre clay amphorae, sunk into the ground, to ferment their red and white wines. All are distinctive, but this baby is my favourite.

Cerasuaolo di Vittoria is a blend of two indigenous grape varieties – Nero d’Avola and Frappato –  making a fresh, stylish, and expressive red wine. It’s packed to the gunwales with crunchy, bitter cherry fruit. Has a rustically firm tannic structure, with the zip and zest of the Frappato lifting and enhancing the finish. It is altogether dangerously easy to open more than one bottle!

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • More
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...

Slow Art

30 Friday Aug 2013

Posted by juleslewis in Art

≈ Leave a comment

Many of my collaged artworks are rapidly put together. Decisions made are often instinctive, line, tone, form, colour and composition all mesh into one. I often don’t question the images, I just make stuff – accepting or rejecting them as they are created.

Drawing, on the other hand – particularly observational drawing (old styley) – takes time. You can lose hours this way, but occasionally need to prove to yourself that you can still do it.

IMG_1193IMG_1194IMG_1196

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • More
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...

“A Bookish World”

30 Friday Aug 2013

Posted by juleslewis in Books

≈ Leave a comment

IMG_2016IMG_2017IMG_2015IMG_2018

 

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • More
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...

“Behind the Scenes”

27 Tuesday Aug 2013

Posted by juleslewis in Art

≈ Leave a comment

If you find yourself in an art gallery, take the opportunity to get behind the scenes. The easiest way to do this – for the uninvited – is when building work, refurbishments or re-hangs occur. Walk purposefully into areas with limited or denied access and “find stuff”. The stuff that you find is generally un – curated, often extremely interesting, showcasing artworks that are overlooked in mainstream shows. Drawings are particularly revelatory. Oh, and if you are discovered (rummaging I mean – not artistically) pretend you are visiting the country (do remember which country/museum/gallery you are in) and apologise profusely! Alternatively, set up an appointment to view. Artfolk are, generally, shy, solitary souls. Genuinely surprised when you take an interest, and universally accommodating.

IMG_1333 IMG_1334 IMG_1335 IMG_1336 IMG_1337

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • More
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...

Gallery

Cathedral Works

27 Tuesday Aug 2013

Posted by juleslewis in Art

≈ Leave a comment

This gallery contains 3 photos.

B.L.I.C

27 Tuesday Aug 2013

Posted by juleslewis in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Mass production, Sweetness of wine, Wine

This is a useful acronym to remember when tasting wine. It was passed on to me, many moons ago, by Sabrina Sykes, and stands for: Balance, Length, Intensity and Concentration. If a wine has these component parts – regardless of its stage of development – it will be worth drinking.

Stylistically speaking, I am not a fan of either Calpol or Ribeena – reminders of which I come across in many commercially made or mass produced wines. The combination of residual sugar, jammy overcooked fruit, insufficient acidity together with a big burn of alcohol on the finish, leaves me definitely not wanting more!

Here are a pair of wines with B.L.I.C.

IMG_0286

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • More
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...

“A Bookless World”

27 Tuesday Aug 2013

Posted by juleslewis in Books

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Authors, Literature, Robertson Davies, Samuel Marchbanks

“The Diary of Samuel Marchbanks” by Robertson DaviesIMG_0319

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • More
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...

Outside Ovens

27 Tuesday Aug 2013

Posted by juleslewis in Food

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Cook, Dough, Mozzarella, Olive oil, Oven, Pizza



 

Eating outdoors, around a fire, brings out the primitive in us all. Admittedly, this oven isn’t primitive, but it is made almost entirely from recycled and salvaged materials. These can be made at the fraction of the expense of a commercial oven – small examples of which can cost upwards of a grand! The key is to light the oven about 2 – 3 hours prior to cooking. The cooking being the fun part:

Prep all your ingredients beforehand – make more than you need, as the oven retains its heat for a further 2 hours after cooking.

Have everything to hand – near the oven – so that your pizza dough remains fresh and the pizza can be transferred from paddle to plate with the utmost efficiency – essential if you have impatient guests or starving children!

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • More
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...

“Something for the weekend”

21 Wednesday Aug 2013

Posted by juleslewis in Wine

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Alcohol by volume, Austria, Oddbins, Price point, Vinho Verde, Waitrose

Four whites for the Bank Holiday that won’t break the bank. All at different, user friendly, price points – delivering a world of difference from the stuff your friends normally pour. Two Gruner Veltliners from Austria – one from the Wachau (where the best examples originate) – Domaine Wachau, 2012, 13% abv ( £10.44 from Waitrose) and Salomon Groovy, 2011, 12.5 abv, (£9.75 from Oddbins). Both are packed with apricot fruit of good intensity, full of substance on the mid-palate and balanced with a zippy citric acidity on the finish.

The Vinho Verde, Quinta De Azaveda 2012, (£7.83, Waitrose) – is a grapey little Portuguese gem, packed with lime zest, firm, crunchy appley fruit, with great balancing acidity and at a mere 11% abv you can “drink on through” – always a good option if you are spending the weekend with family or friends!

Finally the Moncaro Verdicchio Classico, 2012, 12.5% abv,  is one my staples. Citrus fruits with an almondy nuttiness and vibrant acidity comes in at a friendly £5.85 from Waitrose.

Excuse the quality of the photographs, but these are live selections – as you can see from my flip flop in the Verdicchio shot!

IMG_1976 IMG_1977 IMG_1978 IMG_1982

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • More
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...
← Older posts

Recent Posts

  • Stakes & Stones
  • My Mate Marmite
  • The Joint is Jumpin!
  • Whimsicality killed the Cat
  • ‘Do The Macchiona’

Recent Comments

the #1 Itinerary on Stakes & Stones
juleslewis on The Joint is Jumpin!
the #1 Itinerary on The Joint is Jumpin!
Charlotte Whitta on The Joint is Jumpin!
the #1 Itinerary on Eau Naturel

Archives

  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • August 2018
  • December 2016
  • July 2016
  • May 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • August 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • December 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013

Categories

  • Art
  • Books
  • Food
  • Musings
  • Skate
  • Surf
  • Travel
  • Wine

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Follow Following
    • thesprezzaturist
    • Join 91 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • thesprezzaturist
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: