Faugères is an AOP wine produced in the foothills of the Cévennes in the Hérault department, 20 km north of Beziers. In the early nineteenth century, the local wine was largely distilled to make a brandy produced to a Charentais method, which took the name of “Fine” or “Fine Faugères.”
Demarcated in its current form since 1948, this production area obtained the VDQS designation in 1955. After great effort, it received the AOC status in 1982 for its red and rosé wines (in 2005 for white, produced in smaller quantities). The total area covers about 2,000 hectares of mainly shale and south-facing land. The climate is Mediterranean with mountain influences. The main grape varieties planted are Carignan, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache and Cinsault. Over 80% of production is vinified as red wine. You can still find “Fine Faugères” today but only in very small quantities and it is highly sought after.
