Beaujolais Nouveau

1. A few years ago it was a common event in the UK; the sound of klaxons announcing that the ‘Beaujolais Nouveau est arrive.’ Grown men in fast cars hastened to be the first to pick up the ambrosial wine. Eventually, the universal scramble to avail oneself of the immature, thin red wine was enjoined while sceptics ruminated on the efficacy of the admen’s guile. It wasn’t great wine in any way but it WAS a triumph of marketing! All that had faded from fact and memory until a friend and I, out in the Markt last Saturday, came across a noisy man with a huge moustache on the steps of the Provinciaal Hof, banging the metaphorical drum to entice passers-by to go inside to sample the Beaujolais Nouveau which had indeed arrived! So we did, passing several other men of a certain age, all sporting outsize moustaches; overtaking an impressive wild boar {stuffed!] on the top step wearing what might have been a welcoming snarl. It turned out that the old boys were members of De West-Vlaamse Snorren Club presenting an event entitled: ‘Le Beaujolais meets West-Vlaanderen’.

Inside the hall, was an attractive bar area and beyond, stalls with the wine, and sausages, cheeses and breads. We tasted several different Beaujolais in a small wine glass provided for each to take home, but didn’t buy. It was a charming occasion but the wine is still thin and too light for me. But it was another ‘takes me back….’ moment as I looked at the map provided of Le Vignoble Beaujolais. There was a period of two or three years in the early eighties, when I went with a bibulous friend to buy wines of the area direct from the viticultures and the names brought images of idyllic vineyards, pretty villages and rolling landscapes to mind: Macon, Julienas, Chenas, Morgon, Moulin a Vent, Saint-Amour, Brouilly, Chiroubles and, of course, Beaujolais. Twelve appellations in total and a host of memories corked in those names! I must add that the wines from the named appellations bear no quality relationship to the Nouveau beyond association by location! 

Hoat Nguyen playing Dvorak.

An example of the work of Ingrid Godon. [See below]

The following afternoon to Die Swaene for another concert by Duo Arion playing Dvorak and Beethoven. Again, a blissful experience with the viol player, Hoat Nguyen, giving immense feeling to the Four Romantic Suites, Op 75. Dismayed at the end to discover all seats for the last concert next week are already booked!

A most intriguing exhibit; looked from a distance like a photograph

but was in fact an amazing Gobelin tapestry featuring a misty

landscape with girl. Incredibly tactile and eerily photographic.

 Then, after another week of thoroughly satisfying rituals: Mah Jong: conversation and coffee with friends: more chats over beer and wine with other friends; early swims and late Ipad dramas watched in bed; a lovely Saturday afternoon out with a friend, in Damme. I don’t go to Damme sufficiently often. It is only about 4 kilometres up the canal but without a car, it takes an effort and a bus or two, and my moral backbone has tended to crumple a little. But to delightful Damme I was taken to see Er Was Eens …, [Once upon a time ...]at the Stadsfestival Damme which had proved such a success that it had been extended by a month. Thus I discovered d’Oede Schole, a former school turned impressively into a marvellous arts / exhibition centre. The display of art books covered a wide field but the main exhibition of the work of Ingrid Godon was stunning. She is a book illustrator and a Damme resident and so we talked to her for quite a time. I loved her work which is I think, mainly for children’s books and I also appreciated her personal openness and accessibility. I bought a lovely folio of her work [not the originals] for a Christmas present though I wanted it for myself!!

Quite forgot to mention this wonderful addition to the exhibition

An illuminated ladder:

Stairway to Heaven on the church tower. Inspired!