Winegrowers' Portaits Saumur
LES 8 DE LOIRE
Conviction and success
France remains the first supplier of wine in China, followed by Australia. With this outlook, an association of 8 winegrowers from the Val de Loire, valley rich in history past, in culture of wine and tradition, wanted to face this rapidly expanding market. But the task was not simple. The Chinese and French cultures are very different and each has its own codes, habits and constraints.
de Droite à Gauche: Florent Baumard, Guillaume Roussy (Château Midouin),
Christian Chabirand (Prieuré la Chaume), Soriya Jamet et Georges Verdier
(ChâteauMoulin Touchais) au Château de l'Oiseliniére.
The number 8, basis of this association created in 2009 by winegrower friends from the Loire Valley, is of good omen for success in China. Hence the idea of gathering these family, patrimonial and professional friendships that last for several generations, and of creating a larger range of wines for this new market. At the origin of this project: Georges Verdier (Château de l’Oisilinière), Guillaume Roussy (Château Midouin), spokesperson of “Les 8 de Loire” in China, and Soriya Jamet, met on a fair organized by the Loire Valley wines in the Middle Kingdom. Efforts are fruitful, the bet is won. The demand for quality white wines and sparkling white wines, particularly adapted to Chinese gastronomy, is rapidly expanding.
The 8 owners are independent, striving for optimum quality of their cuvees, but keeping this French conviviality that attracts sympathy and is often envied abroad. With close to 370 hectares, they are the standard bearers of 13 appellations from the Loire Valley… another lucky charm number, in France this time! Château de L’Oiselinière presents its Muscadets de Sèvre et Maine sur Lies. Château Moulin Touchais offers colours and aromas of extraordinary “gold” due to its old Coteaux du Layon. Château de Chaintres gives to taste its Saumur Champigny. Domaine des Baumard, a reference in the Loire Valley, proposes multiple appellations, in a range as rich as greedy. Pierre and Bertrand Couly make a Chinon.
Domaine Rimbault-Pineau suggests a version in white with Sancerre and Pouilly-
Fumé. Château Midouin evokes the sparkling side with his modern Crémant and his white Anjou from the Loire. Prieuré la Chaume makes discover the Vendee'sheartlands.
Present for several generations in the vineyards of the Loire Valley, they are proud of their numerous cuvees with irreproachable quality already recognized in France. They work in the respect of tradition, in a sustainable projection and respect of their terroir in order to transmit these values to their children.
After more than two years existence, the “8 de Loire” regularly organize tastings of their wines, position themselves and take market shares in China. They will be on Vinexpo Asia-Pacific in Hong Kong, Booth CD 35–3.
Florence Varaine
Guillaume Roussy
Château Midouin • 49400 Saumur
Tel: +33 (0) 6 87 19 74 68 • or +86 130 5813 4860
www.8deloire.com 
