One thing we like at Absinthe.com.au is a bit of style.

As the modernist successor to the Art Nouveau period, in which the light of absinthe shone brightly, a new generation of functional artists and designers continued the idea of a movement that infused itself into every part of life during the inter-war year in the early 20th century - furniture, buildings, clothes, jewellery, cars were also art, a canvas to be painted upon.

Arising into the public consciousness from the Parisian Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes in 1925, it was born during an era of economic depression. It reflected a luxurious Utopian vision, but where an eye to the past was present, taking stylistic notes from the geometrical designs and motifs of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia amongst other ancient cultures - but infused into the new mediums of polished steel and plastic.

Asclepian art deco motifs above a pharmacy in Prague

While many may associate Prague and ‘absinth’ , it should also be recognised as a very important city for its preservation of many Art Deco motifs. Almost every modern Australian city also has fine examples of Art Deco architecture, many under threat of demolition and overt redevelopment. As the increasing level of property developer contributions to State Labor governments becomes more apparent, those who support heritage protection should become increasingly concerned that we are losing generations of history under our noses - rather than finding ways of integrating the two, using the same principles the Art Deco movements proponents themselves used.

But for those with a penchant for this period should be overjoyed that Melbourne will play host to the 9th World Congress on Art Deco , 16-20th April 2008.

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Absinthe is officially in.

Perez Hilton celebrated his 30th birthday at the Beverly Wiltshire in LA this past weekend, and by all accounts it was the bash to attend, with Marc Jacobs, Candis Cayne and a host of other glam people trolling about.

The centrepiece beverage of the night?

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Macabre (pic:lifeiscarbon)

For most people, quantifying ‘what is beautiful’ is one of the hardest things to do. I find it hard to put a finger on, but I can safely say that it lies somewhere between Victorian memento mori and Tom Ford-era Gucci.

Turns out, I am not alone.

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The San Francisco World Spirit Awards were recently held (in San Francisco, as it happens), and it seems Matter-Luginbuhl AG/Absinthe.decame out winners, scoring medals for two different absinthes.

The SF World Spirit Awards are, in their own words, “the first comprehensive, international spirits judging ever held in the United States on an annual basis…Founded in 2000 by Anthony Dias Blue, the Executive Director of the San Francisco International Wine Competition and Carol Seibert, the Managing Director of the San Francisco International Wine Competition, the Spirits Competition continues to grow each year in entrants as well as in stature within the industry”. Judges for the competiton have been drawn from the upper eschelons of the US bars and clubs industry, distillers, journalists and editors and, oh dear… two ‘mixologists’. That term is rubbish. You’re a bartender, deal with it.

Anyway, my point is that the brains-trust behind the SF awards seems pretty secure, which cannot necessarily be said for those recently employed by Epicurious to ignorantly trash… pardon, review, the same absinthe which has just won an award.

A legitimate one, at that.

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Absinthe isn’t all green fairies.

We often obsess over whether it is artifical or naturally coloured, whether the natural colour is a commercial chlorophyll or whether a proper natural colouration step is used. So when the colour is removed, we are freed to focus a lot more on the other important characteristics of an absinthe - particularly the aromas and flavours.

Blanche de Fougerolles is, as implied by the name, a blanche - meaning it is a clear absinthe that has not undergone any colouration. It is our invisible fairy. Sometimes called a La Bleue in Switzerland, this style is more popularly associated in context to the illicit Swiss stills that produced bootleg absinthe. This product however is produced by French Distiller Paul Devoille at his family owned distillery exclusively for Liqueurs de France.

The label text of this 74% alc/vol absinthe reads as follows:

This unsweetened apertif is made by individually distilling in high quality grap-based spirit both grand and petit wormwood, green anise, coriander, hyssop, génépi , camomile, fennel, veronica and angelica. The distillates are then carefully blended in accordance to historical methods once again used by Hughes de Miscault at his distillery in North Eastern France. The protocols for this uncolored absinthe come from the recipe listed as “Absinthe suisse blanche” in several well regarded French distillers manuals of the 19th century, including P. Duplais, J.Fritsch and J.de Brevans. It has been finished at 74% alcohol in accordance with these works.”

Enough reading. I unwrap the silver composite foil capsule, pull the T-cork and inhale deeply……..wow.

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“Until very recently the history of absinthe in Australia has largely gone unrecorded. The work of contemporary absinthe researchers such as Gaye Valtilla, Jonathan Carfax and Robert Maxwell have uncovered key details relating to absinthe in 19th century Australia… it has recently been proven that absinthe was indeed being imported into Australia during the 19th century, particularly as several bottles of pre-ban absinthe have recently surfaced in the country with very strong provenance.”

Our history page has now been updated to include some of the latest information on pre-ban absinthe in 19th century Australia. This section of our site is continually growing and expanding as new leads come to light, so be sure to check back often.

Go to: Absinthe - A History in Green

We at Absinthe.com.au would like to introduce an ongoing series of contributions from one our dear friends and readers, who will chronicle his discoveries and thoughts on absinthe as a relative newcomer to the drink.  Much like coming to appreciate wine, absinthe is a journey of many roads, with no particular destination sought nor required. Join with us in following Daniel’s particular individual journey into the world of absinthe…. 

Welcome, dear absinthe-minded readers, drinkers and lovers, to the first entry in this journal, a documentation of my travels from absinthe inductee to connoisseur, assuming this lofty goal will ever be achieved. Here we shall learn of my first eager and tentative sips of this magical green elixir, as well as my introduction to the rituals and varieties of absinthe, all tied up in a gift box of personal observations of absinthe as it relates to art and life.

But let me first introduce myself. My name is Daniel Hatadi. By day, a computer programmer in the shady field of gambling. By night, a writer in the shadiest genre of them all, crime fiction. At other times I have been a musician and — like any hard drinking, hard living rock and roll type — it was through music that I had my first experience with absinthe.

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Today is the last day of the Fringe, so if you haven’t been out to see something yet, for god’s sake log on and check out what is left with the remainder of the day - there is entertainment aplenty going until the wee hours of the night.

To round off my 2008 Fringe Experience I went to the one of the showcase Fringe Club nights this week at the Higher Ground Theatre. Built amongst the remains of what was once the Night Train Theatre Restaurant (although I remember its hey day as a laser tag venue 20 odd years ago), the Higher Ground Theatre is an incubator for new and established artists to present their work in the realms of theatre, circus, dance, music, cabaret or experimental acts of exploration.

Needless to say, post-Fringe, this is a venue to keep an eye on - permanent creative artspaces are becoming something of a rare bird in many cities.

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We have been overwhelmed by the popularity of our wee website, as evinced by our ever-increasing member list and the enthusiastic response we have received from our readers across ther country and the world - and we cannot thank you enough for your support and encouragement. We can, however, urge you to spread the word! Libertines, unite! We can only get bigger and better.

Look out for a few special goodies in the coming weeks, such as reviews (including our very first review of a vintage, pre-ban absinthe), interviews with leading world experts on absinthe, an expansion of our history section to include absinthe in 19th century Australia, our first regular guest column (in which we track the descent into absinthe-soaked bohemia of a hapless Sydney crime writer), music reviews and… a forum! Yes, you too will be able to prattle on about la fee verte in the comfort of your own country. It’s terribly exciting.

We would also like to take this opportunity to welcome out newest advertiser and friend of Absinthe.com.au, Gallery Serpentine. Gallery Serpentine is Australia’s most highly regarded and successsful cosetry/period/gothic boutique, and produce some of the most beautiful pieces of clothing you are likely ever to encounter. I myself own half a dozen pieces, and I am a boy for God’s sake. So visit Serpentine, say hello to the gorgeous Stephanie and punish your credit card.

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NeoTokyo, our ridiculously talented graphic designer, is more widely known as one of Australia’s leading Industrial/Electro DJs and club promoters. Along with fine friends Sveta and Pornstar, NeoTokyo will be taking over Sydney’s notorious Club 77 on Friday 4 April.

Crunchy, dirty, sexy electro with bohemian loveliness to ensue. See you there.