When Plans Go Awry (But the Spiegelau Offers Are Excellent)

Last week I was aiming to have a cultured and intellectually stimulating start to the week and a visually stimulating finish. However, as is life’s habit, things don't always work out as I expect. Before I get to that, let me tell you what delights I have in store for you further down.  A few weeks ago, Steve McGraw, Riedel's UK MD, a quiet man with a sharp business mind, a dry sense of humour and with whom I get on very well, were on a team call.  One of the subjects that came up was the Spiegelau Definition range of wine glasses. These I will return to shortly.

First, Tuesday evening I was off to see Julia Samuel, the psychotherapist (who specialises in bereavement) in conversation with Helen Fielding, the author of Bridget Jones’s Diary series of four books.  This was held at the quietly swish Covent Garden Hotel, which pleasingly is actually in Covent Garden! Much of the conversation centred around the last book, “Mad about the Boy” in which Bridget’s husband dies . The story was recently made into a film,  and looks at her and her family’s life afterwards and ultimately her search for love again. It was a thoughtful evening in which it turned out that Helen’s real-life partner had died, so she was drawing on her own experiences as well. 

Towards the end she spoke about the language people use around death. The phrase "Sorry for your loss", being the one she specifically mentioned. To which she had often been tempted to reply  “I didn't lose him, he’s dead” which made us all chuckle.   Partly because it was funny and and partly because it was so disarmingly direct!  It reminded me strongly of the use of these words, after Babette died (meant kindly, but all avoiding the word DEAD). The worst of which, for me, was "passed". There's lots of others including "passed away”, "no longer with us”, “departed”, and so the list goes on and on, and they all, I’m afraid, irritate me, to varying degrees. Still, the evening ended well. I had a brief but lovely chat with Julia afterwards and went home the better for the whole experience.

The visual feast I'd been anticipating at the end of the week was the Anna Ancher exhibition at Dulwich Picture Gallery. She was an Impressionist (very fond of them) and judging from the images online, the way she used light to bring her paintings alive was quite remarkable.  Sadly, when I went to check opening times on Friday, I found that it was ticket only and they were sold out. Felt a bit of a twit for not checking earlier, when I had the chance. 

To product.

Ok, so back to Spiegelau and their 'Definition' range. And in fact why Spiegelau and not Riedel. Well, the latter bought the former years ago, and that, I believe, gave Riedel increased manufacturing capacity that they needed at the time. 

Spiegelau Definition is a newish range introduced in the last couple of years, and is right on trend in terms shape, and Steve recommended it.  The range comprises 8 glasses which for the most part are boxed in pairs (except the water glass and soft drinks glasses that are 4’s). Tumblers apart they have a family look which I rather like.  They all have an elegant squashed diamond shape, beautifully fine stem and a sensible sized base 

From the top: 

From the top: 

The Definition Bordeaux glass. Good for Bordeaux and most fuller bodied reds.
The Definition Burgundy glass. Flipping huge bowl for the Burgundy drinkers out there.
The Definition Champagne glass. A nice compromise between a flute (that loses flavour) and a Riedel Champagne wine glass that retains it.
The Definition Universal glass. A bit small for many reds, but good for Rieslings and the other aromatic white wines plus Red Chianti style maybe.
The Definition White Wine glass.  Versatility across many white wines.
The Definition Digestive. For those inclined toward such things after dinner.
The Definition Water tumbler. A low tumbler but with a similar diamond shape to the wine glasses above.
The Definition Soft Drinks tumbler.  Similar but taller than the Water tumbler. 

The prices are usually £55 (a pair) for the stemmed glasses. The two tumblers are £55 (box of four) .
The Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne & Universal glasses also come in value packs at £82.50

Because I appear to be feeling unusually generous this week, you can use code DEFINE26 to get a rather generous 25% off. 
I’m not entirely sure what's come over me . 

Last Word
Following on the last weeks email about pesticides in the home and food wastage , I've since discovered the the latter is even worse than it might first appear. There are two points in the food chain where significant losses are incurred.

There is what is termed food loss, before its gets to the retailer such as food rotting in the field , or going off before it gets to its destination. This accounts for about 20% lost.

So last week I reported that there was 30% wastage. I’ve since learnt that it’s between 30-40% wastage level depending on where in the world you're looking. We waste more in the West where food is in plentiful supply, compared to parts of the world where food is scarcer. 
These are significantly high percentages, is it bordering on the obscene? 

I was watching someone cutting up some celery the other day, and watch as they got to the bit at the top with the remaining flesh and leaves and threw them in the bin………. A small but telling example of the problem. 

I hope you have a peaceful and pleasant weekend.

Kind regards,

Andrew

The Last Word 
As Paul likes it (brings a smile to his face) when I can tie up my opening thoughts with the products I finish on.  The Cake Competition, that seems to be brewing nicely, is making me reflect on the connection between the small acts of generosity (Cakes) that say "I thought of you” and these stocking fillers. Maybe the link is how food and gifts give a similar message?  The exchange of gifts, much like family meal times or eating out with friends, is a chance to reaffirm relationships with those we love, that can be so sorely tested in our modern individualistic times.  

If that doesn't bring at least a glimmer of a smile I’ll be a Dutchman.

I trust you have, maybe a busy weekend, in view of the time of year, but that you also get some peace as well. I shall be decorating most of the weekend, hopefully interrupted by a friend (bearing cake ?) for coffee.

Warm regards

Andrew