Show 539, August 19, 2023: Sommelier Rick Arline, Director of Beverage, The City Club L.A. – The Wines of Loire Valley, France Part One

Rick Arline of the City Club Los Angeles

“Within France’s 3rd largest Appellation wine region, stretching from the Atlantic coast to Auvergne, Loire Valley wines represent the balance point between north and south, mellowness and freshness, arts and literature, tradition and modernity.”

“From this harmonious blending, helped by a generally temperate climate and remarkably varied terroirs, comes a great diversity of wines. 20 per cent of the production is exported to over 150 countries amounting to over 54 million bottles in 2020.”

Cabernet Franc, the Loire region’s leading red varietal, is generally made into single-varietal wines. “They are crystal-clear and luminous in color, ranging from candy pink to raspberry, with aromatic finesse that is perceptible on the nose. On the palate, they express marked notes of ripe red berries (strawberries, raspberries and red currants) and tropical fruits. Their mellow smoothness mixes with their luscious indulgent character.”

The wines of Loire Valley are generally available locally at your favorite wine merchant including The Wine House in West Los Angeles, K & L Wine Merchants in Hollywood and Hi-Times Wine Cellars in Costa Mesa.

Sommelier Rick Arline, Director of Beverage, The City Club, Los Angeles is our well-informed guide to the wines of Loire Valley.

Show 539, August 19, 2023: Sommelier Rick Arline, Director of Beverage, The City Club L.A. – The Wines of Loire Valley, France Part Two

Rick Arline of the City Club Los Angeles

“Within France’s 3rd largest Appellation wine region, stretching from the Atlantic coast to Auvergne, Loire Valley wines represent the balance point between north and south, mellowness and freshness, arts and literature, tradition and modernity.”

“From this harmonious blending, helped by a generally temperate climate and remarkably varied terroirs, comes a great diversity of wines. 20 per cent of the production is exported to over 150 countries amounting to over 54 million bottles in 2020.”

Cabernet Franc, the Loire region’s leading red varietal, is generally made into single-varietal wines. “They are crystal-clear and luminous in color, ranging from candy pink to raspberry, with aromatic finesse that is perceptible on the nose. On the palate, they express marked notes of ripe red berries (strawberries, raspberries and red currants) and tropical fruits. Their mellow smoothness mixes with their luscious indulgent character.”

The wines of Loire Valley are generally available locally at your favorite wine merchant including The Wine House in West Los Angeles, K & L Wine Merchants in Hollywood and Hi-Times Wine Cellars in Costa Mesa.

Sommelier Rick Arline, Director of Beverage, The City Club, Los Angeles continues as our well-informed guide to the wines of Loire Valley.

Show 31, June 15, 2013: David Walker, co-founder of Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

David Walker of Firestone Walker Brewing CompanyBack in 1996 David and Adam Firestone had this crazy idea to ferment ale in 60 gallon oak barrels reviving a style of brewing ales in England from some 150 years ago. Their first effort was the now popular Double Barrel Ale, the signature of the brewery. The brewery is now located in Paso Robles.

In making the reference to wine David suggests Ales compare to the red varietals. They are bolder in character and full bodied. Lagers are lighter in character and compare to the while varietals.

On Father’s Day, Firestone-Walker Brewing in concert with Food GPS is hosting a Father’s Day Collabrewtive Brunch at Lot 613 in Downtown Los Angeles from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. In addition to the craft beer sampling six food stations will be there featuring the creations of top local chefs including Daniel Mattern and Roxanna Jullapat of Cooks County.

Coffee-infused beers will be on the menu, too, specially created for the event by the brewmasters working with master coffee roasters. Firestone-Walker is matched with Intelligentsia Coffee.