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Champagne

Champagne: A Secret History

Roger Walters

Allen & Unwin Publishers

I harbour more than one weak spots for all things sparkling – be it water or wine.

Champagne is one of those adult beverages that go down well at any time of the day, no matter if it is stupid o’clock in the ante meridiem in the lounge before or after a red-eye or for a festive occasion of your choosing.

While common perception might be that the pleasures of champagne are relegated exclusively to the well-heeled, Melbournian wine merchant, author and vineyard owner Robert Walters, who set out to set the record straight.

It is not a crusade, but an entertaining journey Walters takes the reader on, pervaded by witticisms and bon motes, shedding light on the nuances of the drink and the nature of the region, with spotlight being put on the growers, their alchemy and recommendations.

While doing that, Walters tell the story of Champagne, from its emergence to what it is being held in high esteem for today. It its interesting to read that originally, wines with bubbles from the Champagne region were perceived to be faulty and the transition from that era to the artisanal, exquisite product it is today.

The book is many things – bit of a travel guide, definitely a tasting guide and a welcome addition to your distinguished library for a beverage that has much more to offer than prestige and an expensive price tag.

Hieronymus Bosch, Painter and Draughtsman: Catalogue Raisonné

Yale University Press

What a thing of beauty!

Hieronymus Bosch – Painter and Draughtsman Catalogue Raisonné is a comprehensive, opulently illustrated tome curated and put together by the heads behind the Hieronymus Bosch Research and Conservation Project. 

It was originally published on the 500th anniversary of Hieronymus Bosch's death, after six years of in-depth research.

The Catalogue Raisonné compiles pretty much all of Bosch’s paintings and drawings underpinned by the most recent findings of science and research, which give his already astonishing oeuvre and his unrivaled approach to painting in the 15th century another dimension and should satisfy not only mere aficionados, but also scholars, connoisseurs and subject matter experts that have been researching what made Bosch tick.

Starting off with a detailed biography, reflections on what makes his approach and works unique are elaborated on, followed by a detailed history of how his paintings were conserved through the centuries and the technical implications that come with it as well as, and most importantly, the condition they are in today, it incorporates fact and information from a myriad of vetted sources.

Comparisons with other works, a detailed exploration of the symbolism behind the depictions and characters in Bosch’s paintings are followed by interpretations.

While drawing on a myriad of different, referenced sources, a distinct voice of the Bosch Research and Conservation Project comes through, which thoroughly examines and does not omit the assistance Bosch has worked with to complete his artworks.

Summa summarum, Hieronymus Bosch, Painter and Draughtsman is an indispensable addition for everyone interested in Bosch’s work not merely when it comes to the literature on the artist, but as a sound foundation for further research with the investigative voice of the BRCP being a reliable compass and guide.  

Riesling Riot

Town Hall

Sydney, Australia

February 7, 2018

A riot in realm of vino – The roots of what has become known as the Riot of the Riesling kind hark back to what was back then the “biennial Frankland Estate International Riesling Tasting” in the Western periphery of Australia.

The operation has grown organically ever since and this year’s Sydney incarnation saw seventy wineries from around this earthround proffering over five hundred Riesling grape related emissions.

Presented by Frankland Estate, Clare Valley’s Jim Barry and South Australia’s Pikes winery, the informal affair served as a great forum for both connoisseurs and yet-to-be-initiated to be inducted in the world of a grape variety that does not have a lot of competition when it comes to having its character informed by he context, soil and circumstances of the vineyard it comes from.

Personal favourites of this year’s Riesling Riot include A. Christmann’ Reiterpfad-Hofstück Grosses Gewächs 2015 as well as Dönnhoff’s Estate Riesling, both of which reminded me of my home turf in Germania; Bründlmayer’s Heiligenstein 2008 from Austria and Duke’s excellent Sparkling Riesling.

The shindig was framed with food offerings and a soundtrack courtesy of a dedicated DJ, who expertly set the mood for punters to ease into the proceedings and loosen up.

There is a lot to be discovered in Riesling land and a riot every now and then is the ideal occasion to go and explore flavours that you normally would not be exposed to, especially younger demographics.

If you are remotely into white wine, Riesling Riot 2019 should be marked in your calendar.

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Photos by KAVV

The Stranglers

Enmore Theatre

Sydney, Australia

February 8, 2018

As a teenage delinquent in his early stages of punk socialization searching for the next kick in the local record store, I came across The Stranglers and was impressed by the band name. Expecting an assault along the lines of The Exploited’s emission, I was more mildly underwhelmed and confused by the new wave-y, art rock with gothic tinges.

Fast forward a couple of years, a bit of maturity, appreciation of musical virtuosity, the company of ladies and a deep interest in Jean Jacques Burnel’s thoughtful lyrics, and The Stranglers and their more psychedelic songs fell on more fertile ground.

Witnessing The Stranglers’ on their “The classic collection” tour in 2018 translates to a setlist brimming with hits, anthems and classics that were frenetically welcomed by the sold out house.

Forty years into their existence, The Stranglers bring a tight show that borders pitch perfection, effortlessly holding the audience in the palm of their hand with their charisma and displaying that their secret sauces could never be simmered down to neither singular musical styles nor the sum of its ingredients – what makes them is their idiosyncratic x-factor that pervades each of their ditties, no matter which genre is most prominent.

Evenings that from start to finish was a celebration of The Stranglers’ musical prowess, relevance and timelessness of their musical catalogue.

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Photos by KAVV

Footpath Guides

Architectural Walking Guides

Footpath Guides, the headquarters of which are situated in a Bauhaus inspired building of epic brutalist proportions, is a conglomerate of three creative heads with backgrounds in film making and academics with a shared interest in architecture.

Eventually they decided to honour the architectural heritage of their hometown Melbourne via a pocket-sized walking guide shedding light on the different eras and incarnations the city went through, which finds its equivalent in the design and illustrations, courtesy of Sonia Post of Design Democracy fame.

The first, Melbourne centric installment of their architectural walking guides is a triptych, featuring buildings, transitions and new developments along with their impact on the present from the early 1850s to the 1970s, charmingly showcasing the expansion of the city at the tail end of the 19th century, the emergence of St Kilda from the Edwardian via Victorian, art deco, Spanish influences and modern apartments. The third part is highlights

What followed were three books on the city of Sydney, which followed the original formula in that it sheds light on how the architectural DNA of Sydneytown evolved and blossomed and where among the ever expanding central business district, true gems can be found in the historically not insignificant urban enclave The Rocks.

Particular interesting is the part of the Sydney triumvirate that focuses on what developed between the ravages of the two World Wars and became the foundation for the post-war innovations that are still resonating throughout the pillars of the city.

With the descriptions that are accurate and concise in nature along with the illustrations that are both informative and visually appealing and the overall playful approach, it will hopefully only be a matter of time until other, international cities will get the Foothpath Guides treatment.

https://footpathguides.com