| I am: Loïc Avril, Beverage Director of Society – Lucas Group (VIC Committee) |
| I became a Committee member to: share my knowledge; encourage the new generation [of sommeliers] to join our industry; learn from others. |
| My background is: I was born in the Loire Valley; my grandpa was a winegrower in Vouvray. I worked with the right people [in wine] at the right time, and managed to grow myself into the one of the most fascinating jobs on the planet. |
| The motto I live by is: Be happy and positive every day. |
| My role model is: I was fortunate to work alongside Gerard Basset who really inspired me from my first day in England. His dedication to people was incredible. But most importantly he was such a humble man to speak with. |
| The perfect meal would be: a plate of oysters, salted butter and fresh bread at 9am with a superb Muscadet Sevre et Maine to compliment the salinity of the ocean. |
| What I enjoy most about being a part of the wine industry is … First: the number of relationships that you build along your journey: guests, colleagues, vignerons. Secondly, being an ambassador to all the winegrowing regions in the world and advocate the respect of our industry. Finally, the diversity of knowledge that beverages bring to a human being, from oenology, viticulture, sales, food knowledge, culture of food etc… It never ends… Always something to learn and share. |
