A smashing start to 2011... Santé!!
Archive for December 2010
Café du Nord in the centre of Menetou-Salon decked out for the 2009 Tour
On Friday 8th July the 7th stage of the next year's Tour de France will pass through Céré-la-Ronde. The stage (215km) starts in Le Mans and finishes in Châteauroux and will be a relatively flat one, which will probably feature a long escape by a small group of riders although it is likely that it will end in a bunch sprint. Mark Cavendish will have fond memories of Châteauroux as it was here in 2008 that he won his first Tour stage. It was, however, very close as the lone escapee, Nicolas Vogondy, was caught only 50 metres from the finishing line.
Not all of the details of the route have been announced yet but the race will enter Céré from the north on the D281 and then head towards Orbigny on the D81 and I assume on to Nouans-les-Fontaines. Before reaching Céré I guess the race will probably cross the Cher either at Chissay - St Georges-sur-Cher or at Montrichard. The latter would avoid the level crossing over the railway line from Tours to Bourges.
Information about Céré here and here.
Not all of the details of the route have been announced yet but the race will enter Céré from the north on the D281 and then head towards Orbigny on the D81 and I assume on to Nouans-les-Fontaines. Before reaching Céré I guess the race will probably cross the Cher either at Chissay - St Georges-sur-Cher or at Montrichard. The latter would avoid the level crossing over the railway line from Tours to Bourges.
Information about Céré here and here.
Jacques and Arnaud Couly
The Vienne@Chinon even François Rabelais (statue by bridge) is huddled up against the damp cold
Following my tasting at Baudry-Dutour we headed to Chinon with time for a quick picnic sitting inside the car enjoying some excellent paté en croute bought at the truffle market in Marigny-Marmande from the Charcuterie Girardeau (Saumur: tel: 02.41.51.30.33) stall. Then onto Couly-Dutheil to taste 2009s.
Before starting tasting their range of 2009, Arnaud Couly talked briefly about the 2010 vintage and the difference between the vines on the plain of the Vienne and those on the Coteaux. "We had 40ml of rain at the end of September," said Arnaud, "and we had to pick the vineyards on the plain quickly because of the spread of rot. For those on the coteaux, however, we could wait for the best moment to pick them. With grassed over vineyards we had problems in the summer because it was so dry and the grass was in competition with the vines. Later with the rain they were very useful as they absorbed the water."
I started with the crisp and lemony 2009 Les Chanteaux, Chinon Blanc, which comes from Saint-Louans, where they used two tris for this cuvée. Then on to the first red Les Gravières d'Amadour Abbé de Turpenay. This is the Couly's cuvée printemps and is juicy easy drinking with red fruit flavours to the fore. They also bottle the same wine later in the year but it is called La Coulée Automnale – principally destined for the restaurant trade – and it is very interesting to note the difference another few months in vat makes to the wine. The Automnale is considerably rounder and softer than the Graviers making it an attractively easy drinking bottle.
2009 La Coulée Automnale
Previously I have criticised Couly-Dutheil for the dry tannins in their wines. It was noticeable in this tasting of the 2009s that in this vintage the tannins are soft, round and well integrated with the fruit.
La Diligence, which comes from vineyards in Beaumont-en-Véron, is a case in point. and was one of my favourites. The top of the vineyard is on clay-limestone, while the lower is more sandy. Mid-weight with ripe black fruits and some structure and well integrated tannins. This has sufficient power to drink with quite robust stews as well as various chicken dishes.
2009 La Diligence
Diligence was followed by two bottlings of Domaine Réné Couly – the first bottled in June and the latter in September. The domaine is on the plateau to the north and west of Chinon close to Saint-Louans. Very interesting to see the difference an additional three months in vat makes as the structure of the September bottling is softer with the tannins better intregrated with a touch of gaminess and ripe, soft fruit. Ideally both bottlings need another six months or more to intregrate and soften further. If you buy the black fruited 2009 Baronnie Madelaine I'd drink this before the Réné Couly.
Clos de l'Olive
We ended with the two famous single vineyard cuvées: 2009 Clos de l'Olive (4.5 ha) and the Clos de l'Echo. On current form the l'Echo is certainly the more attractive with the Olive showing rather grainy, granular tannins. In contrast the complex L'Echo has good texture, structure with black fruits and a touch of liquorice.
2009 Clos de l'Echo
The final 2009 was Clos de l'Echo Crescendo, which is the only Couly-Dutheil red that sees any wood. There are some wood notes on this supple and well textured red, which obviously needs more time to show its obvious potential. In 2009 only 2000 bottles of Crescendo were made. I remain convinced that Crescendo is an error – that Clos de l'Echo should be the grand vin with fruit from any lesser parcels in the Clos going into a second wine or a more generic cuvée. I think I would blend the small proportion aged in wood into the grand vin.
We finished with the soft and round 2006 Crescendo, whose wood is understandably now fuller integrated but with more grainy tannins than the 2009.
2006 Crescendo de Clos de l'Echo
After the tasting Arnaud and Jacques explained that they have reduced their use of pigeage, which is difficult to manage making it easy to extract too much tannin. Instead they prefer to pump over, which they allows them to regulate extraction more easily. It has certainly worked in 2009 with better tannin management. How far this has been helped by flattering nature of the 2009 vintage should become clearer when the 2010s are ready to taste.
See post on tasting at Couly Dutheil in January 2009.
When Archos released its 7-inch Archos 70 internet tablet last month it sported a fairly paltry 8GB of Flash storage and ran Android 2.2. Since then the device has received a firmware update that brought improved performance, better battery life estimation and support for external GPS adapters thanks to Android 2.21. Now the company has announced a hefty boost in storage space with a 250GB HDD version of the device.
The 250GB version of the Archos 70 retains pretty much all the same technical specs of its 8GB brethren, including 800 x 480 pixel (WVGA) multi-touch screen, 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 processor with 3D OpenGL ES 2.0 graphic accelerator and HDMI output. The only differences, aside from the boost in storage capacity, are the loss of the micro SD card slot and a slight increase in size and weight.
While it measures the same height and width, (114 x 201 mm/4.49 x 7.91 inch), the 250GB version is 4 mm deeper at 14 mm (0.55 inch) and 100 g (3.5 oz) heavier at 400 g (14 oz).
The Archos 70 250GB version is available for US$350.
Schiit Audio is set to release a new headphone amplifier which pumps out ten times the power of a typical model. The Lyr has been principally developed to drive high power orthodynamic headphones coveted by audiophiles for their excellent soundstage, and which require more juice than a personal media player's amp can provide. The power amp also features an adaptive output technology that dynamically adjusts depending on the headphone load.
Given that the high-power hybrid design of the Lyr headphone amplifier produces 6W RMS per channel into 32 ohms – which may well hospitalize your average pair of phones (and probably the user too) – Gizmag put the simple question of "why" to company co-founder Jason Stoddard.
"Beyond Why not ? – which, to go off on a tangent, I think is probably still one of the most important reasons in the world for doing anything," Stoddard told us. "If nobody experimented with anything, where would we be? Living in caves. So, I'm totally comfortable with Why not ? That said, there's a very good reason to have a super-powerful headphone amp, and that's due to the recent popularity of high-end, orthodynamic headphones."
"These planar-magnetic designs require a lot of power," he continued. "Forget driving them from a computer or iPod. Even most headphone amps aren't up to the task. These headphones include the Audeze LCD-2, and HiFiMan HE-4, HE-5, and HE-6. They have retail prices that range from US$500 to US$1,200, so they aren't for everyone. But for someone chasing the best headphone sound on the planet, they're top contenders."
Hybrid design and adaptive dynamics
The Lyr amp has an impedance of 8 - 600 ohms, gain of 20 dB and frequency response of 2 Hz - 200 kHz, -3dB. Its total harmonic distortion of less than 0.1 per cent, 20 Hz-20K Hz, at 1V and its power consumption is 30 W. As you might expect of such a beast, it does generate some heat during operation but is said to operate slightly cooler than other Schiit offerings – and, yes, the name is pronounced exactly as you think it might be.
Stoddard also told us that the Lyr features something called a Dynamically Adaptive output stage, which is described as "a current-sensing adaptive output topology which allows the amplifier to dynamically adjust to the headphone load. The primary benefits are essentially single-ended Class-A operation for high-impedance headphones (300-600 ohms), moving seamlessly to push-pull Class A and finally into Class AB as current needs increase. This provides much higher overall efficiency."
This means that the Lyr automatically senses the current needs of the headphone load, rather than simply acting as a passive source and if the current needs of the headphones are low, it can operate similarly to single-ended Class A amplifier. If needs are high, the device can switch to either push-pull Class A, or move out of Class A entirely into Class AB.
The Lyr benefits from a hybrid tube/MOSFET discrete design, with JJ ECC88 tubes for voltage gain. Users can fine tune the device's sonic characteristics by swapping out the supplied tubes with any 6DJ8, 6922, or ECC88 type, up to and including 6N1Ps, varieties. The single voltage gain stage, and DC-coupling at input and output, is claimed to give exceptional transparency and enhanced dynamics with no overall feedback.
Built for lasting performance
Like all Schiit Audio products, the Lyr is made in the USA, using components that are primarily sourced in the U.S. – and there's not an integrated circuit in sight. It's constructed with longevity in mind and is intended to be something you can pass down to your children. According to Stoddard, unlike other powerful audiophile headphone amplifiers on the market, it's also "easy on the wallet."
There's no soundstage tweaking like with the Zo and Dolby doesn't even get a look-in. The Lyr is a straight headphone amplifier designed to bring out the best in high-end orthodynamic or high-impedance cans.
It's available now for pre-order, is priced at US$449, and has a likely shipping window of March 2011. Purchase does come with a warning though, the company says that it will "not be responsible if you blow up your headphones with it !"
01.jpg (15.43 KB. 530x297 - viewed 2 times.)If you want to wake up gently to a sunrise, there are a couple of things you can do. You can invest in one of the many digital alarm clocks that start a simulated sunrise (like PURE's Twilight or Philip's Wake-up Light) or you can leave your curtains open and wait for the sun to shine through them. Taylor Franklin Hide believes that he might have a third option in the form of the LUMI – a high-tech sleeping mask with faux sunrisetechnology built-in.
03.jpg (3.28 KB. 100x100 - viewed 2 times.)Before donning the LUMI mask prior to sleep, a user would program a required wake-up time into the digital alarm clock positioned on the side of the lightweight neoprene foam sleeping mask. An LED substrate is sewn into the inside front of the mask to provide a soft light source for the simulated sunrise, which kicks off about half an hour before the alarm. A user is able to set the light intensity and an included receiver will allow the device settings to be altered via a mobile phone.
02.jpg (13.45 KB. 530x397 - viewed 2 times.)Unlike my cheap and cheerful padded cloth sleeping mask, the LUMI mask has an eye cavity to give the eyelids a bit of freedom and to allow for normal circulation. The designer hasn't mentioned how the device is powered but has hinted that future development may include integration with something like the Smart Alarm Clock app.
The LUMI mask is currently at the prototype stage and is being featured on Kickstarter to try and secure funding for manufacture.
Imagine being able to charge your phone with nothing more than a summer breeze or the rays of the sun. That’s the idea behind the Aeolus phone concept, an eco-friendly, low-energy cell phone made of renewable materials that lets you charge its battery without any reliance on grid electricity at all.
The onboard battery can be charged by a gentle breeze thanks to the small fan at the top of the phone’s body. For extra power the Aeolus can be strapped to a bike or a car window with a special tripod. When there’s no wind available and you’re simply out enjoying a nice day, the solar panels take over providing power to the battery.
The eco-friendly features don’t stop with the battery, however. The body of the phone is made with renewable materials, and the small single-color  LCD screen is energy-efficient and simple to conserve power.
The concept is from designer Cyrene Quiamco, who wanted to create an eco-friendly phone with an eco-chic appeal. The shape of the phone recalls a leaf or seed from nature, reinforcing its connection to the environment. The Aeolus is still in the concept phase of its design, but it’s an interesting direction to take phone design in for future generations.
When travelers are lost, stranded or in an emergency situation, one of the most difficult parts of waiting for help to arrive is finding fresh, potable water. Although tales abound of shipwreck victims finding novel sources of drinking water, there might be an easier way to stay alive if you ever find yourself in an emergency.
This design, called C-Water, by Chinese engineer Chao Gao uses a simple solar purification method to transform just about any source of water into potable liquid. With a readily available source of fresh water,survivors have a better chance of staying alive and relatively healthy until help arrives.
The design took second place in the recent Incheon International Design Awards. The ingenious design requires only that the foldable device be placed on the ground or directly on the water. Water vaporcollects in the chamber and is purified solar rays. A batch of clean, drinkable water is ready in just shy of two days.
The C-Water is lightweight and small enough when compressed to be carried on life boats or in backpacks. Its innovative design could easily be applied to places where clean drinking water is scarce, or even used in disaster relief efforts to keep refugees and survivors healthy until permanent living situations are arranged.
Aynard de Clermont Tonnerre: a global vision from his new office!
Posts to come include a tasting of 2009s at Couly-Dutheil on Tuesday afternoon, tasting more 2009s at La Maison des Vins de Tours with Marie Colombe Haudebert and a round up of recently tasted wines.
The three world records that QinetiQ applied for after its Zephyr High-Altitude Long-Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle completed a successful 14-day flight in July 2010, have been confirmed by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. The aircraft has now officially been ratified as staying in the air longer and achieving the highest altitude of any surveillance craft in its class, and setting the absolute duration record of 14 days and 21 minutes.
The ultra-lightweight carbon-fiber aircraft trounced the duration record set by Global Hawk in 2001 by a factor of 11, and managed to rise a good 5,000 feet (1,524 meters) higher (NASA's Helios Prototype,although in a different class, did get a tad higher in 2001). QinetiQ claims that the Zephyr could also help governments, companies and universities cut costs, saying that the vehicle can be produced at "one tenth of the cost of other unmanned aerial vehicles and one hundredth of the cost of a satellite."
The Zephyr benefits from a full flight set of Sion Power lithium-ion batteries that are charged during the day by United Solar's paper-thin amorphous silicon arrays, which cover the aircraft's wings and provide the aircraft's power – day and night. QinetiQ also developed a novel solar charger and bespoke autopilot system for the craft, and for the Yuma, Arizona flight in July also included a UK Ministry of Defense communications payload.
QinetiQ says that development continues towards a goal of having the aircraft stay airborne for months at a time – making the Zephyr even more useful for aerial surveillance, communication, lightweight transport and research scenarios.
Samsung is really picking up the pace when it comes to the world of digital cameras, and one of their latest releases would be the WB700, a super slim model that certainly doesn’t horse around with its impressive 24X zoom function, making it more than capable of delivering superb quality images regardless of the distance of your subject. This is further enhance with the ability for the WB700 to capture 16 megapixel images with its 24mm lens with OIS and Schneider KREUZNACH 18x super-zoom. Apart from that, other features which will delight and surprise even those who are seasoned in the field of photography include new smart filters, the smart lens effect and zoom noise cancellation. Want to know more about the WB700? It is all in the extended post.
Let us get down to the nitty gritty – the Samsung WB700 will come with a 24mm ultra-wide Schneider KREUZNACH lens as mentioned, making it capable of capturing that perfect wide angle shot, in addition to an outstanding 24X zoom function, where it comprises of an 18X optical zoom and 1.3X Smart Zoom. Not only that, those who are about to take the step into DSLRs will find that the WB700’s full manual control is a good stepping board to learning the ropes, although it won’t be as efficient and fast as a DSLR. At least you can still record video in full 1080p high definition video (H.264 format), with the main strength and flexibility of the WB700 being its lens and zoom functions which enables you to shoot a broad landscape in similar detail as a bubbling brook in the distance.
From the name itself, you can tell that the WB700 will be the next logical step up from the WB600 and WB650 models, where it includes Smart Filter 2.0 – a name for artistic filters in various modes including ‘soft focus’, ‘half-tone dot’ and ‘cinema’ alongside traditional features such as ‘fish-eye’, ‘miniature’ and ‘sketch’, letting you have a much more professional finish at the touch of a button. It isn’t out just yet, but will be makingheadlines next April for $299.99 each. We do expect this to arrive at CES 2011 though.
Is there anything more adorable than a friendly robot? They may not be cuddly, but you get the feeling that, with the right programming, they could be your best friend someday. What makes these robots even better is that they’re made from recycled parts. Their creators saved landfill space while repurposing someone’s “trash” into art that’s not only awesome to look at; it kind of tugs at your heart strings, too.
02.jpg (123.82 KB. 468x354 - viewed 2 times.)The robots of Mike Rivamonte are assembled from vintage and handmade items from the United States, Canada and Europe. Some are over a century old. The artist assembles the items carefully to create absolutely adorable robots with distinct personalities. After growing up next to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, Rivamonte naturally fell into bringing these sci-fi creatures to life.
03.jpg (185.16 KB. 468x600 - viewed 2 times.)Artist Nemo Gould was born into a creative family, and he’s never been able to resist taking things apart. He’s made good use of that impulse by leveraging it to create his amazing robot sculptures, constructed entirely of found objects. His goal is to incite a child-like response in everyone who sees his work, because he says that adults are dangerously lacking in child-like wonder. His robots – some hilarious, some scary, all downright gorgeous – certainly do remove us from the dull daily grind of adulthood. Featuring moving partsand working lights, the sculptures are more than just art: they’re a vehicle back to simpler days full of wonder.
04.jpg (149.92 KB. 468x600 - viewed 2 times.)Kansas City husband and wife team Nicholas and Angela make up the fabulous Nerdbots, a projected devoted to adorable recycled robots. They roam antique shops, flea markets, and junk stores to find discarded mechanical bits. They then recycle the parts, big and small, into fabulous robotic sculptures – sadly, they don’t move, but they are fantastic nerdy bits of art. Each robot gets a name and backstory, and if he’s lucky he gets adopted and goes to live in a new and interesting home.
05.jpg (160.16 KB. 468x600 - viewed 2 times.)Gordon Bennett is the mastermind behind Bennett Robot Works. His robot sculptures are made from found objects, both old and new, which could be anything from old car parts to pieces of Bakelite to discarded pieces of wood. Each sculpture takes about a month to make, and the care the sculptor takes is evident in every one.
06.jpg (151.79 KB. 468x600 - viewed 1 times.)Guy Robots are assembled from all sorts of would-be refuse. Their bits and pieces come from car salvage yards, swap meets, aerospace and avionics surplus dealers, and even neighbors’ garbage cans. While they won’t move, talk, do your dishes or (according to their creator) harass your domesticated animals, they will certainly liven up any room. These fascinating little bots range from 6 to 20 inches tall, and they all have personalities as diverse as any human counterparts.
