8th “Discover China” Inaugural 2025 China–France Terroir Wine & Tea Symposium: Highlights Recap-知味葡萄酒

Overview

Dates: July 7–10, 2025
Location: Burgundy, France

The 8th Discover China program was held together with the 1st China–France Terroir Wine & Tea Symposium & Exchange, achieving a resounding success in Burgundy!

Over the past decade—and thanks to the strong support of the International Terroir Association (AIT) and many partners—TasteSpirit & TerroirSense has successfully organized seven International Terroir Symposiums and seven Discover China Wine Summits. These initiatives have connected 1,000+ leading terroir-driven estates from 20 countries, nearly 300 top growers & experts, and tens of thousands of Chinese trade professionals and enthusiasts.

This year’s China–France wine & tea terroir activities naturally extend and elevate the Discover China Wine Summit by bringing Chinese terroir products beyond wine—beginning with tea—into direct, face‑to‑face dialogue with the international community of top terroir wines. It marks the first exploratory practice of taking multiple Chinese terroir products abroad for real, on‑the‑ground exchange.

I. Global & Bilateral Institutional Support Converges

Jointly organized by the International Terroir Association (AIT) and TasteSpirit & TerroirSense, the event was officially included in the “10th Anniversary of the Burgundy Climats’ Inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List” commemorative program. It received full support from:

the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV);

Burgundy Wine Interprofessional Council (BIVB);

Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in France;

Embassy of France in China;

Metropole Government of Dijon (capital of the Burgundy Region);

Climats of the Burgundy Vineyards – UNESCO World Heritage;

Fédération des Négociants‑Éleveurs de Grande Bourgogne (FNEB);

and other key institutions.

OIV listed the event among its officially supported activities for the year and published it on its website—an important milestone recognizing China’s terroir industries on the world stage.

Aubert de Villaine, global terroir luminary, Honorary President of both AIT and the Climats Association attended in person to deliver opening remarks.

Hao Linhai, founding President of the Ningxia Helan Mountain East Foothill Wine Federation and recipient of the OIV Honorary Award—sent a congratulatory video message and delivered a video keynote: “Chinese Terroir Goes Global”.

Representing the Chinese Embassy in France, Ms. Li Qiaoqiao and Mr. Lü Jianan traveled from Paris to Burgundy to show support and participate throughout the symposium.

Sophie Pallas, Director of External Relations at OIV, personally addressed the congratulation speech on July 9, and on July 10 welcomed the Chinese delegation to OIV Headquarters for meetings with departmental heads.

Aubert de Villaine, Jacky Rigaux, Thibault Liger‑Belair.

II. A Historic Deep Dialogue Between Sino‑French Terroir Heartlands – Burgundy’s Leading Names Gather in Support

Held in Burgundy—celebrated worldwide as a terroir wine holy land—the event brought together leading domaines and maisons representing world‑class terroir standards, including: Domaine de Villaine; Domaine Jacques Prieur; Maison Bouchard Père & Fils; Domaine Faiveley; Domaine Arlaud; Maison Edouard Delaunay; Domaine Ponsot, Domoaine Muzard, Domaine William Fèvre, Domaine Boris Champy, Domaine René Bouvier; Domaine Thibault Liger‑Belair, and others (12 top Burgundy estates in total). Principals attended personally to share and engage in dialogue. Core Burgundy terroir research, governance, and communications bodies—Climats Association, BIVB, FNEB, and more—participated in full support.

III. Chinese Terroir Wine & Tea Delegation Makes Its First Collective Appearance in a core international terroir wine region

A six‑estate delegation representing terroir heartlands in Ningxia, Shandong, Yunnan, and Xizang, together with one Wuyi Mountain (Core production zone) rock tea estate from Fujian, formed the Chinese contingent. Participating estates included Helan Qingxue, Legacy Peak, Shangri‑La, Dameiyong, Xiaoling, Longting, and the Tianxin Mingyue Tea Estate; proprietors and technical leads attended in person. Through presentations, tastings, and dialogue, the group offered a systematic introduction to Chinese terroir ecology, flavor expression, and the cultural philosophy behind them—sparking lively Sino‑French exchange.

AIT President Thibault Liger‑Belair, AIT Vice President Jacky Rigaux, AIT Secretary‑General & TasteSpirit Co‑Founder Gao Xiang, and TasteSpirit Co‑Founder Zhu Siwei jointly proposed the cultural & industry theme of “Tea & Wine Co‑Flourishing.” By placing exemplary Chinese tea and wine alongside top Burgundy top terroir wines for co‑tasting and shared interpretation, the program extended Eastern and Western terroir concepts from ecological agriculture & craft into broader industry and cultural dimensions—opening a new conversational pathway for co‑creating Sino‑French terroir civilization.

Creatively advancing the concept “Tea & Wine Co‑Flourish; Terroirs Illuminate One Another,” the symposium adopted the theme “Only Through Terroir Do We Attain Great Wine & Fine Tea.” For the first time, Chinese wine, Chinese tea (Wuyi core zone rock oolong), and French finest terroir wine were placed within the same terroir‑culture framework for an enriching dialogue. Terroir is not only the agricultural and technical foundation of quality—it is also a bridge of civilizational exchange, revealing the deep resonance and convergence between Chinese and French terroir worldviews.

Chinese wine & tea leading producers engaged with AIT and TasteSpirit after and during the event, unanimously praising its success. They expressed strengthened confidence in the outlook for Sino‑French cultural & professional exchange around terroir wines and teas.

After a year of intensive preparation, TasteSpirit Co‑Founder & Editor‑in‑Chief Zhu Siwei and an advisory team curated representative Chinese wine & tea terroir estates for targeted invitation and selected the line‑up of wines and teas for symposium exchange. With careful planning by all parties, the inaugural China–France terroir exchange program comprised five key components:

1. Visits to top Burgundy terroir domaines;

2. Exploration & understanding of the Burgundy Climats;

3. High‑level Sino‑French dialogue on tea & wine terroir;

4. Professional masterclasses;

5. Public wine & tea showcase.

Day 1| July 7: Burgundy Terroir Explorations

Led personally by world‑renowned wine writer & critic Jacky Rigaux and TasteSpirit Co‑Founder Gao Xiang, the delegation visited top Burgundy domaines for in‑depth tours and tastings. Legendary proprietors and winemakers offered direct instruction on the mysteries of Burgundy terroir—giving Chinese & French proprietors and winemakers the most immediate, immersive, and multi‑dimensional opportunity to explore terroir face‑to‑face.

Domaine de Villaine

Founded by Aubert de Villaine—the iconic co‑owner of Domaine de la Romanée‑Conti—the estate sits in Burgundy’s Côte Chalonnaise. Carrying forward DRC’s spirit of uncompromising excellence, M. de Villaine and his nephew, current proprietor Pierre de Benoist, have devoted themselves to revealing the finest terroir expression of the Côte Chalonnaise. Under their stewardship, the once nearly marginalized heirloom Burgundy variety Aligoté Doré (Golden Aligoté) has returned to glory, showing outstanding site expression and varietal promise.

Domaine René Bouvier

Established in 1910, this leading estate in northern Burgundy’s “Golden Gateway” appellation Marsannay. Current proprietor Bernard Bouvier—forward‑thinking and bold—enthusiastically serves as President of the Marsannay appellation association. The domaine’s wines regularly appear on the wine lists of numerous Michelin restaurants in France.

Day 2| July 8: Burgundy Climats heritage

Domaine Jacques Prieur

Founded in 1868, Jacques Prieur commands many Grand Cru across Burgundy—an extraordinary terroir portfolio that places it among the region’s elites. For many years, the estate’s Director of Winemaking has been Nadine Gublin, protégé of the legendary Henri Jayer, under her guidance, both quality and precision of terroir expression have continued to advance.

Maison Bouchard Père & Fils

One of Burgundy’s oldest historic merchant‑grower houses—founded in 1731—Bouchard Père & Fils is often called a “living fossil” of Burgundy wine culture. The house holds significant holdings in key Grand Cru terroirs. It is now part of Artemis Domaines, the wine group of the luxury conglomerate Kering . Since joining Artemis, the estate has pursued site re‑alignment and portfolio optimization, underscoring a commitment to elevating quality and brand stature. During our visit, Gilles de Larouzière—President of the Climats Association and Chair of the Supervisory Board of Artemis Domaines—together with the winemaking team, guided us directly in the Montrachet Grand Cru vineyard.

Understanding and tasting of Climats wines

The delegation visited the Cité des Climats et Vins de Bourgogne to tour the permanent exhibit “World Heritage: Terroir of the Burgundy Vineyards.”

Later, Sylvain Naulin, Managing Director of the BIVB, delivered opening remarks, followed by a Climats Wines and Terroir Tasting Method Masterclass led by Jacky Rigaux.

Day 3| July 9: East–West Terroir Culture Dialogue

As the centerpiece of the Sino‑French tea & wine terroir dialogue, the symposium adopted the theme “Only Through Terroir Do We Attain Great Wine & Fine Tea.”

The gathering took place in the 300‑year‑old ancestral home of Domaine Thibault Liger‑Belair in Nuits‑Saint‑Georges.

More than 50 proprietors, winemakers, and wine writers participated. Distinguished supporters in attendance included: AIT President Thibault Liger‑Belair; OIV External Relations Director Sophie Pallas; BIVB President Laurent Delaunay and Managing Director Sylvain Naulin; Climats Association President Gilles de Larouzière; Climats Association Co‑President Cyprien Arlaud; FNEB Managing Director Pierre Gernelle; Marsannay Association President Bernard Bouvier; noted French wine author Jacky Rigaux; Gérard Ferrière, Advisor to the president of Dijon Metropole, and Jérémy Penquer, Director of Major Projects for Dijon; and Laurent Vialette, President of the International Wine Tasting Panel—among many others.

AIT Vice President Jacky Rigaux and AIT Secretary‑General / TasteSpirit Co‑Founder Gao Xiang co‑hosted and delivered opening remarks.

Gao Xiang with Aubert de Villaine and Jacky Rigaux.

They were followed by addresses from:

Aubert de Villaine, Honorary President of AIT & Climats Association

Thibault Liger‑Belair, President of AIT & GEST

Because of scheduling conflicts, M. Hao Linhai sent greetings and delivered the video talk “Chinese Terroir Goes Global”.

Sophie Pallas (OIV) speaking.

Laurent Delaunay speaking.

Gilles de Larouzière speaking.

Wuyi Rock Tea Shared Across Cultures

Following the opening addresses, Chen Kechun, 3rd‑generation inheritor of the Tianxin Mingyue Tea Estate in the core zone of Wuyi Mountain rock tea, shared five classic Wuyi rock oolongs with all Chinese and French producers. As the teas opened in the cup—unfurling mineral structure and floral fragrance—vignerons marveled at their intricacy and layered depth. Just as Burgundy’s Climats capture terroir nuance, Wuyi’s mountain sites embody the harmony of heaven, earth, and humanity. At that moment East‑West terroir wisdom met; tea and wine reflected each other, and resonance quietly took root.

When Burgundians feel equality, friendship, and joy, they sing the “La‑La Song” (Ban Bourguignon harvest song). After the Wuyi rock tea sharing, local vignerons led the room in song to express their thanks.

Star‑Studded Sino‑French Wine Terroir Dialogue & Tasting

The ensuing wine‑focused session brought together an exceptional group, including: Song Yan (Proprietor, Longting, Shandong); Huang Fei (Proprietor, Shangri‑La, Yunnan) & Winemaker Cui Kexu; Bertrand CRISTAU (Proprietor, Xiaoling, Yunnan); Zhang Jing (Proprietor, Helan Qingxue, Ningxia); Liu Hai (Proprietor, Liushi, Ningxia) & Winemaker Zhou Shuzhen; Qu Cuo (Proprietor, Dameiyong, Xizang) & Winemaker Li Shengbao;

Thibault Liger‑Belair(Domaine Thibault Liger‑Belair); Christophe Bichot (Maison Albert Bichot); Gilles de Larouzière (Maison Bouchard Père & Fils / Artemis Domaines); Laurent Delaunay (Maison Edouard Delaunay); Pierre de Benoist (Domaine de Villaine); Erwan Faiveley (Domaine Faiveley); Cyprien Arlaud (Domaine Arlaud); Alexandre Abel (Domaine Ponsot); Bernard Bouvier (Domaine René Bouvier); Dédier Séguier (Domaine William Fèvre, Domaine de Barons de Rothschild portfolio); Boris Champy (Domaine Boris Champy); and Capucine Muzard (Domaine Lucien Muzard & Fils).

Song Yan from Longting Shandong

Zhang Jing from Helan Qingxue Ningxia

Zhou Shuzhen from Legacy Peak Ningxia

Cui Kexu from Shangri-la Yunnan

Bertrand CRISTAU from Xiaoling Yunnan

Qu Cuo from Daimeiyong Xizang

Domaine Thibault Liger-Belair Thibault Liger-Belair

Domaine de Villaine Pierre de Benoist

Maison Edouard Delaunay Laurent Delaunay

Maison Albert Bichot Christophe Bichot et œnologue

Domaine Boris Champy Boris Champy

Climats de Bourgogne, Domaine Arlaud Cyprien Arlaud

Domaine Faiveley Erwan Faiveley

Domaine Ponsot Alexandre Abel

Domaine William Fèvre Dédier Séguier

Domaine René Bouvier Bernard Bouvier

Domaine Lucien Muzard & Fils Capucine Muzard

Dr. Wang Zhiwei—Chief Physician at the Wang Zhiwei Integrated Chinese & Western Medicine Clinic and Visiting Professor at Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine—gave a themed presentation: “From the Perspective of Chinese Culture: Terroir & Climat – Part III: Wind,” which sparked enthusiastic resonance and discussion among proprietors.

In this deep cultural exchange on Eastern & Western terroir, we jointly tasted 36 representative wines from 18 estates.

In every glass lived the soul of wine; at the table, ideas of culture met and resonated. In this spirit of sincerity and equality, East met West without boundaries—and we were all deeply moved. When the Ban Bourguignon rang out once more, song echoed through the hall; laughter filled the room; hosts and guests alike were carried away by the beauty and timelessness of the moment.

The president of AIT, Mr. Thibault Liger-Belair, perfectly resumed this first Symposium wine and tea: “Together we’re much stronger and, above all, we get to know our lieux much more quickly.”

After the full‑day symposium concluded, a gentle breeze led us up to Château Gris in the Côte de Nuits—a Burgundy terroir heritage site. As the sun set over terraced vines, golden light wove through leaves; beauty and wine merged, and we were joyfully intoxicated even without the glass.

We then toured the spectacular 14th‑century cellar at Domaine Arlaud. As proprietor Cyprien said, a Lieu is more than a place‑name—it is the soul of terroir, carrying the memory of family and the warmth of history. Time flows slowly—sometimes almost stops—in such a Lieu. Entering this former salt storehouse, its weathered stone still saline from centuries of storage, we seemed to touch the imprints left by time across the ages.

Gala Dinner – La Paulée

For the finale—when one gathers in Burgundy, birthplace of La Paulée—a harvest celebration dinner is a must! Amid a symphony of fine food and wine and the laughter of all guests, the inaugural China–France Terroir Wine & Tea Symposium in France came to a festive close. See you next year!

Day 4| July 10: Global vision and public exchange

The “2025 China–France Wine & Tea Terroir Cultural Dialogue” received official Patronage from the OIV and was formally included in its annual events calendar—published on the OIV website—signaling high‑level institutional endorsement.

Delegates from China’s core terroir regions—Shandong, Yunnan, Ningxia, Tibet, and the Wuyi Zhengyan tea heartland—presented the cultural and industry dimensions of terroir in both wine and tea to leading international experts, highlighting the unique terroir ecology of Chinese wine regions.

OIV’s backing affirms the scholarly significance of the event and underscores the importance of terroir cross‑learning through “Tea & Wine Co‑Flourishing.” We believe China’s exploration of terroir highlands in wine, the “Unity of Heaven & Humanity” philosophy embedded in tea culture, and France’s Terroir spirit will together enable deep dialogue and integration across scientific and cultural dimensions of terroir.

Public showcase

Thanks to the metropole government of Dijon, on the final day we moved to the Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin in Dijon to host a Discover Chinese Terroir Wines Masterclass and a Chinese Rock Tea Masterclass for French trade professionals and enthusiasts. A photo exhibition on China’s wine & tea regions and the 1st Public China Tea & Wine Showcase at the Dijon Gastronomy & Wine Center introduced broader audiences to Chinese terroir culture—laying cultural groundwork for building an overseas platform for Chinese terroir wines & teas.