Bicycle: Bergmonch

This bicycle's cache is that it folds into a backpack, light enough to carry on long walks up a mountain.

Even though it is a bit of a one-trick pony, it's trick is a fantastic one.

Worth investigating? You decide

More info at Bergmonch

Storage: Wine Cellars

What to do when your collection has exceeded the limits of your standard wire and rubber 12 bottle stand?

Once you are ready to settle down and call a place "home," the second call (after the in-laws) should be to one of these premier builders of custom residential wine cellars.

More info at Unique Wine Cellars, Wine Cellar Innovations, Vino Cellars or Gryphond

Malbec: Achaval Ferrer '06

Take a good look at the label.

Should you have the good fortune to come across the 2006 Malbec from Achaval Ferrer, buy ALL of it. 

The texture and tone of the wine is so perfect, a gift with purchase hanky should accompany the bottle, all the better to help with those tears of joy (at your good fortune) upon opening the bottle.

No info available

Champagne: Vilmart & Cie

Those who find:

Dom and Moet, cliche.

Veuve, the crutch.

Pierre Jouet overly sublime.

Your problems are solved in the form of Vilmart & Cie.

No chance of scoring the 1999, which was the first time they were able to move over 75% of the product before bottling.

The 2000-2002 Grand is available and affordable.

Take the plunge.

More info at Vilmart & Cie

Scotch: Glenrothes 1985

The "Vintage 1985" Glenrothes has become a must-have for a serious scotch enthusiast.

One problem: since it's December mention as being "beige gold" in Wine & Spirits magazine, the spirit has been nearly impossible to find. While the 1985 is every bit as good as advertised, you can find but bulk, complexity and dimension in the 1978 lot. The 1994 tastes more promising than the 1991 lot, though stranger things have happened than the maturation of a good 18-year scotch becoming great at 32. Keep an eye out!

For a truly sublime sipper, try the Alba. And at any cost! The warm, stiff and sincere notes reminds one of their favorite leather chair in the library. Perfect for the pre-dinner bounce-back.


More info at Glenrothes

Clothing: Apolis Activism

Apolis Activism takes basic everyday clothing, goes in a phone booth, then emerges with superhuman product.

How else to explain the wonders of their cashmere sweatshirt?

The company is really about activism, but uses design as a way of funding their activity.

more info on their activism and the clothing at Apolis Activism.

All Things: Bill Amberg

Bill Amberg is the "Frank Gehry of Leather."

Perhaps being a fellow architect has led Amberg down the path of producing visually striking bags of everyday use.

Amberg bags are made of vegetable-tanned leather and include hand casted aluminum or brass detailing.




This weekender collection, produced for Johnny Walker Blue, sealed the deal for me.


More info at Bill Amberg

Boaters: Pointer

Boat Shoes were all over the runway for Spring/Summer 2010. 

Get off the beaten path with a pair of Pointers. The shoes are a contemporary take, that diminishes everything boring about the functional aspect of boating shoes, then unleashes the previously dull touches.

The end product will turn heads. Expect unwanted attention.

More info at Pointer.

Shoes: n.d.c.

The entire line of n.d.c. shoes are handmade in Belgium.

They cover the full spectrum, from brogues to deck shoes . . .




and didn't forget about her either.

More info at NDC

Gum Boot: Aigle

If you must . . .

Aigle was started by an American in Paris way back in 1854. So while his former neighbors were planning the Civil War, he was spending time mastering the techniques that would come to fruition 150 years later, in the form of the Parcours Prestige boot.

More info at Aigle