Faugeres: Chateau Fardel Laurens

The Languedoc, though often referred to loosely as a single entity, is not a wine appellation in its own right but a broad Mediterranean region encompassing a wealth of individual appellations. Traditionally, labels carried the specific titles of Languedoc AOC and its numerous sub-regions, from Corbières and Minervois to Pic Saint-Loup and Faugères. Since January 2016, the historic Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées regions have been administratively merged into Occitanie, France's newest region. Stretching along the coast from the Rhône towards the Spanish border, the Languedoc is one of France's largest and most diverse wine-producing areas.

Faugères is one of the finest sources of red wine in the Languedoc, set on the schist hills of the Hérault at altitudes of up to 500 metres. Its warm Mediterranean climate and distinctive schist soils are ideal for red grapes, which account for around 80% of production. Built chiefly on Syrah, Grenache, Carignan, and Mourvèdre, the reds are powerful yet silky, with spice aromas and the unmistakable scent of the local garrigue, alongside a little floral rosé and complex, mineral white. Having gained AOC status in 1982, Faugères is notable for its commitment to quality and organic farming, with some 80% of its vineyards worked organically.