RKS Literature: “The Harvard Manner” (F. Scott Fitzgerald)

“McKisco’s contacts with the princely classes in America had impressed upon him their uncertain and fumbling snobbery, their delight in ignorance and their deliberate rudeness, all lifted from the English with no regard paid to factors that make English philistinism and rudeness purposeful, and applied in a land where a little knowledge and civility buy more than they do anywhere else-an attitude which reached its apogee in the “Harvard manner” of about 1900.”

F. Scott Fitzgerald, “Tender is the Night”, 1934.

RKS 2024 Wine: Hosmer 2022 Semi-Dry Riesling from Cayuga Lake in New York’s Finger Lakes: Exceptional! Stupendous!

I encountered this Riesling sitting on a beautiful Great Gatsby deck in Aurora, New York overlooking sunny Cayuga Lake two weeks ago. I brought back two bottles to Toronto. A magical setting and a magical wine I thought or was it just the vista and a beautiful June afternoon? No way! The wine may be blessed by a positive experience but tested in a more antiseptic environment stripped of sentimentality it lost none of its brilliance.

Aroma: Pineapple, apple, pear, Moroccan clementine and would you believe it hazelnut!

Palate: Almost no comparison to almost all Ontario Niagara Rieslings because of its gentle acidity. Almost reminds one of Pfalz Riesling from Germany or please excuse me a Müller Thurgau.  Lots of fruit such as apricot, peach and Ataulfo mango. Long finish.

Personality: I am not bashful and say you won’t find much better Riesling than me.

Food Match: Grilled chicken in a white wine, tarragon and cream sauce.

Cellarbility: It would be hard to keep any of this around but if you have the willpower drink by 2026-year end. 

Price: $20 USD.

RKS 2024 Wine Rating: 95/100.

(Hosmer 2022 Semi-Dry Riesling,  Finger Lakes, Cayuga Lake AVA, Hosmer Estate Winery, Ovid, New York, 750 mL, 11.7%).

RKS Literature: Americans Can’t Out Fornicate Everybody (J.P. Donleavy)

“Do me a favour. See if there are any jobs open for lavatory attendants in London and I’ll come back. But in closing I want you to remember this, that this is America and we out-produce, out-manufacture, out-fight and out-screw the rest of the world but the latter is elusive.”

J.P. Donleavy, “The Ginger Man”, 1955.

RKS Literature: The Life of an Irish Actress (J.P. Donleavy)

“Mary an actress. Dreadful pity. I’ve got to do something about it. I’m to blame, may have even put the idea into her dark head. If she goes to fat they’ll fire her. I believe she’ll screw her way to stardom. Pole by pole. Like others do in marriage. And some to poverty, fewer to riches, less for love and of course there are those who do it for a dirty old thrill. Thank God there are still some who give it up for life.”

J.P. Donleavy, “The Ginger Man”, 1955.

RKS 2024 Wine: Hosmer 2021 Cabernet Franc-Lemberger from Cayuga Lake, New York

Cabernet Franc is a very successful grape in Ontario, perhaps its strongest red grape. Lemberger is somewhat of an unknown. I have yet to see Lemberger wine grown and sold as wine in Ontario. But there is plenty of it in the Finger Lakes.

Hosmer has decided to blend Cabernet Franc with Lemberger. Fifty percent of each. What is the result?

I am surprised by the paleness of the wine thinking that the Cabernet Franc would “redden up” the Lemberger.

Aroma: Lots of smoke much like the Hosmer Lemberger. But there is more Bing cherry influence. Expect to encounter some milk chocolate, cactus pear and raspberry. Light on its feet.

Palate: Given its lightness in aromatics it has some broad-based tannins bordering on moderate. Cherry and raspberry with a light peppery finish.

Personality: I am proud mixie. My somewhat Lemberger soul has been beefed up with a dose of Cabernet Franc but my soul remains anchored in Lemberger. You Canadians out there might want to plant a bit more Lemberger. Sum me up as gentle please.

Food Match: Chilled with a Puglian potato salad. Lake Erie yellow perch tomato based  chowder.

Cellarbility: With such a happy lighthearted quality wine drink this summer and fall.

RKS 2024 Wine Rating: 89/100.

(Hosmer 2021 Cabernet Franc-Lemberger, Finger Lakes/Cayuga Lake, Hosmer Winery, Ovid, New York, 12%, 750 mL).

RKS Literature: All Your Doctor Wants is to Take a Peek!

“And these doctors too. Once you let them get in these white coats and hold you by the wrist they want to tap you on the chest. Then they want to see in the mouth. Later they put you on the table and go to the cabinet for the knife. They say they just want a peek inside.”

J.P. Donleavy, “The Ginger Man”, 1955.

RKS 2024 Film: “Last Summer” (L’été dernier): Lust Triumphs Over Hypocrisy, False Morals and Rationality

“Last Summer” makes you want to cringe and shout, “Stop you fools!”

We are introduced to Anne (Léa Drucker) as a lawyer counselling a minor client about the non-consensual sex she has suffered. Tell the truth she advises. The judge is well aware of the games defence counsel plays Anne says. Anne represents minors.

Anne is married to Pierre (Olivier Rabourdin) a successful but highly stressed-out corporate accountant. They have adopted twins and live a charmed upper middle-class lifestyle in suburbia.

The charm rapidly deteriorates when Pierre’s teenage son from a previous marriage, Theo (Samuel Kircher), arrives in the happy home. Theo is in trouble, yet again, for threatening one of his teachers.

Theo is rude, slovenly, manipulative, ungrateful, self absorbed, sullen and a thief. He seems topless most of the time. While in the midst of lovemaking with Pierre, Anne muses at 14 she had an obsession with a 33-year-old friend of her mother which both fascinated and disgusted her.

Matters progress rather quickly and Anne and Theo have a steamy relationship. It is winceable watching their walk into the quicksand of lust. Cover up, lying, hypocrisy and unbridled lust lead to riskier and more flagrant behaviour. I suppose we should take Anne’s comment she despises “normophiles” seriously as her behaviour is far from normal. As far as technicalities go Theo is a minor but obviously he is enjoying himself. His immaturity is evident by his total lack of discretion.

Pierre discovers the shenanigans and the shit hits the fan and issues of credibility and morality become weapons and despite convenience winning over justice sometimes lust is unstoppable.

Anne knows how to play games just like the defence counsel she criticizes.

Based on the Danish film “Queen of Hearts”.

Directed by Catherine Breillat.

You can watch the trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLowz2jWzL0 .

Currently playing in theatre in Canada but elsewhere in the world available on Video/digitally.

RKS 2024 Film Rating 88/100.

RKS Literature: Not Wanting to be Caught by Anyone (J.P. Donleavy)

“I don’t want to be caught by anybody. Nor imprisoned or put down. In England they put a rope around your neck and let you go, whoops. Just across the channel they hoist that thing, shined and sharpened and tell you lay your sylph-like thing in there. I don’t know why I am so terrified by this capital punishment because I feel I’m a gentleman and live by all the rules and regulations any of you have put down and even a special few of my own. O watch the noose and knots and knives.”

J.P. Donleavy, “The Ginger Man”, 1955.

RKS Literature: “The Irish and Their Children” (J.P. Donleavy)

“The Irish feel that children are brought down on them by the wrath of God for screwing. All you hear if it weren’t for you kids life would be rosy and we could have a good time, But we worked and slaved ourselves to the bone to give you a little more than we had and now look at you, won’t bring a penny into the house. No-good loafer wasting your time with these books when there are good jobs at the railroad. “

J.P. Donleavy, “The Ginger Man”, 1955.

RKS Literature: Making a Marriage Happy (J.P. Donleavy)

“Fold my trousers. Must have everything neat. My underwear is a bit tattered. Whether to sleep naked or have the modesty of these torn undergarments. Modesty at all costs. These are the things that make the marriage happy. Meals on time, sugar, butter and salt on the table. Socks darned and go to the drawer and find a clean shirt. Miss Frost was right in there with those dishes. No fuss. No excuses. Fine person. Am I smelling? Sniff a pit. Little musty. Can’t have everything.”

J.P. Donleavy, “The Ginger Man”, 1955.