AOC/AOP Faugeres

Appellation area

To the north of Beziers and Pezenas, a territory of 2000 ha lies propped against the first buttresses of the Cevennes 300 m high.

Geology

This is a land of schistes produced by compression during the formation of the Massif Central, clays created from marine deposits of the Palaeozoic era. Soils are quite permeable, not very fertile and considerably acidic.

Climate

Mediterranean, dry and mild. The vineyards are south facing.

Grapes

Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Carignan et Cinsault pour red wines and rosé wines. Roussane, Grenache blanc, Marsanne, Vermentino for white wines.

Vinification

Traditional vinification and stripping for red wines. Depending on the vintage, carbonic maceration for the Carignan. 5/6 days to 20/25 days in vats for vintages to be aged. Gradual maturing in oak barrels. For the rosé wines, saignée and direct pressing and increasingly used skin maceration. Standard vinification for young white wines and more developed vinification for wines with an ageing potential.

Key figures (Average over 3 years)

2 000 ha of vineyards
150 producers
1 cooperative wine producers
47 private wine producers

Average yield

40 hl/hectare

Average production

70 000 hl (85% red, 13% rosé , 2% white)

Sales

56 000 hl
(storehouse ouputs 2005/06)
General Distribution: 24 000 hl (43%)