Welcome
Faugères
Languedoc-Roussillon is an excellent source of wine with a Mediterranean feel at very convenient price points. The area is home to dozens of appellations, some of which are making a name for themselves. Some of the best red wine in Southern France comes from Faugères AOC, and the region’s winemakers are gaining recognition worldwide.
Faugères is located on the hills of Hérault, in northern Languedoc. The appellation gets its name from the Mediaeval town of Faugères, and its warm climate and schist soils are ideal for growing red grapes. Summer temperatures reach an average of 25°C, while winters rarely go below 0°C. This is the authentic Mediterranean climate, known for producing high-quality wine grapes.
Faugères became a VDQS in 1955, a wine quality tier replaced by the modern appellation system in 1982 for red and rosé, and in 2005 for white wines. Faugères neighbours other notable wine regions, including Saint-Chinian and Minervois.
Production
Faugères is home to approximately 59 independent wineries and a cooperative across seven villages. The appellation covers 1,800 hectares; the vineyards are mostly planted against the slope in the steeper hills with southern exposure at altitudes of up to 500 metres above sea level.
The appellation allows for the production of red, rosé and white wine, but 80% of the region’s grapes are destined to become red wine. Faugères red wine is powerful and offers silky tannins, spice aromas and unmistakable memories of the region’s garrigue — they’re the very definition of Southern French wine.
Rosé wine represents 17% of the production and, although rare, it’s floral and offers red fruit scents. White wines represent 3% of the output in Faugères and are complex and medium-bodied, with noticeable minerality and excellent acidity to balance the grape’s ripeness.
It’s also worth mentioning 80% of the vineyards in Faugères are farmed organically, and 50% are already certified as such. 87% of the appellation’s wine is consumed in France, but the rest reaches international markets. Winemakers in Faugères are committed to quality, as the region’s yield is pretty low — 30 hectolitres of wine per hectare, compared to the national average of 45 hl/ha.
Grape Varieties and Blends
Faugères is red wine territory, and the varieties planted are adapted to the Mediterranean climate. The vineyards planted with red varietals comprise Syrah (32%), Grenache and Lledoner Pelut (29%), Carignan (20%), Mourvedre (11%) and Cinsault (8%). The white grapes in the region are Roussanne (43%), Vermentino (25%), Marsanne (15%), Grenache Blanc (12%), Viognier (4%) and Clairette (1%).
Producers must make red and rosé wines in Faugères with at least two varietals, and no grape can comprise more than 80% of the blend. Syrah, Grenache, Lledoner Pelut and Mourvedre must constitute at least 50% of the wine. White wines must be blends as well.
The region’s blending philosophy is not dissimilar to what one would find in the rest of Southern France, and it makes sense — only by blending different grapes can the winemakers create faithful interpretations of the warm Mediterranean terroir. No wine tastes like what comes out of Faugères’ cellars.
Buy Faugères Wines from Hourlier Wines
Finding Faugères wine outside the appellation is no easy feat. Most of the wine is consumed locally, which makes sourcing such exciting terroir-driven wine outside the country rare. Still, at Hourlier Wines, we’ve created bonds with some of the most prestigious estates in the area, getting our hands on as much wine from Faugères as possible.
Follow us on social media and check our online catalogue often to discover our ever-growing collection of wine from Southern France, including a few gems from Faugères you don’t want to miss. The following are a few examples of the region’s wine in our collection.
Faugères: Chateau Fardel Laurens Red
The winery makes this extraordinary example of red Faugères with 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre. The grapes are grown organic and biodynamically. The nose is complex, with red and black ripe fruit from raspberries to black currants. There’s a spicy, almost peppery scent on the palate, along with structured but silky tannins. This is the perfect red wine for lamb, goat, hearty stews, meat pies and roasts.
Corbieres: Chateau Reulet
Not precisely a Faugères, this wine from Corbières AOC delivers the same rustic charm. The producer makes this extraordinary red wine with 30% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 30% Carignan. Blackberries and cranberries make this wine’s nose intuitively appealing, followed by brown spices and leather. The palate is bold but smooth and ends with a long aftertaste. This wine is ideal for game and fatty beef cuts.
FAQ
Where does Faugères wine originate?
Faugères is an appellation in northern Languedoc, in the Hérault department, at the foothills of the Massif Central. The area is greatly influenced by the Mediterranean, and the vineyards are tended by 60 producers in seven communes: Autignac, Cabrerolles, Caussiniojouls, Faugères, Fos, Laurens and Roquessels. Faugères is part of the larger Coteaux-du-Languedoc AOC.
What does Faugères wine taste like?
Faugères produces red, rosé and white wine. All wines styles are made with a blend of grapes, so the wines are complex and sophisticated while still retaining a rustic charm. The red wines have red and black fruit aromas along with undergrowth and spices. The rosés are fruit-forward and refreshing, and the white wines, although rare, are tart and medium-bodied — they have noticeable minerality.
Which food groups pair well with Faugères wine?
Red Faugères is a fantastic pairing for game meat and feathered game. Lamb and goat also pair well with the rustic reds. Hearty stews, meat pies, sausages, casseroles and stews can also benefit from the robust reds. Rosé Faugères is a fantastic apéritif, especially if served slightly chilled; these wines also pair well with charcuterie, soft and semi-hard cheese. White Faugères is best enjoyed with seafood, especially if pan-fried with olive oil Mediterranean-style. White meat, including poultry and pork, also benefits from the medium-bodied white wine.
