Pierre Aguilas

“The 2010 vintage is looking fairly good. Although it’s still a bit early to deliver a verdict, we’re somewhere between a quality year and a great year,” reports grower Pierre Aguilas, chairman of the Loire Valley Wine Trade Fair. 

The 2009-2010 campaign has certainly enjoyed quite favourable weather. Volume-wise, according to the forecasts issued on 1 September by FranceAgriMer, “total 2010 output will be 47.26 million hectolitres, slightly more than in 2009 but still lower than the average of previous years.” 

Overall my impression is that 2010 will be more variable than 2009. My reflections on the vintage so far to be posted later today or tomorrow.

Pierre Aguilas

At a ceremony at Chaudefonds-sur-Layon on Monday 20th September Pierre Aguilas was invested with the Chevalier de l'Ordre national du Mérite. Pierre and his wife, Janes, run the 30-hectare Domaine Gaudard in Chaudefonds. In addition to running the domaine Pierre is also President de la Confédération nationale des vins AOC, President de la Confédération des vignerons du Val de Loire, President du comité régional de l'INAO, President d'honneur de la Fédération viticole de l'Anjou and Grand maître de la Confrérie des chevaliers du Sacavin d'Anjou. 

I guess I must have known Pierre for the best part of 20 years and have always been impressed by his determination to improve both quality of the wines of Anjou and their reputation.

On Tuesday 18th Pierre Aguilas, a producer in Chaudefonds-sur-Layon, was elected to the presidency of CNAOC (Confédération nationale des producteurs de vins et eaux-de-vie de vin à appellations d’origine contrôlées).

Pierre has run Domaine Aguilas Gaudard since 1969 making the customary range of Anjou wines. He was president of the Fédération Viticole of Anjou from 1992 to 2004. He has been president of the Confédération des Vignerons du Val de Loire since 1997 and has been secretary-general of CNAOC since 1995. He became president of the Comité Régional of the l’INAO for the Val de Loire in 2000 and is also a member of the national committee of the INAO.