Faugeres AOC - Best Wines 2024, Grapes Used, Regulations

Faugeres is an appellation in the hills of Herault in the Languedoc Roussillon wine region in southern France. (Not to be confused with the Chateau Faugeres in St. Emilion that makes elegant Bordeaux wine.)

The Faugeres AOC covers rich red wines made from classic Rhone grapes, and delicious white and rose wines.  

Find out all about the Faugeres wine appellation, the wine styles and 8 exceptional Faugeres wines to buy now. Also take a look at it’s history, the terroir, and the AOC regulations. 

8 Fantastic Faugeres Wines To Try (Including Tasting Notes And Prices)

Here are some of our favorite wines from this French wine region:

1. 2000 Domaine Leon Barral Faugeres Valiniere, Languedoc-Roussillon, France ($145)

This rich and powerful wine has fruity aromas of raspberry and black fruit, ripe fruit mixed with sage and lavender. It has a noticeable tannin level and bright acidity. 

2. 2010 Mas Gabinele Faugeres 'Inaccessible', , Languedoc-Roussillon, France ($111)

This stunning red wine has captivating aromas of red and black fruit, chocolate, star anise, vanilla, and ginger. On the palate, the silky tannins take you to a lengthy finish.

3. 2015 Mas Gabinele Faugeres Rarissime, , Languedoc-Roussillon, France ($160)

A blend dominated by Syrah with a hint of Grenache and Mourvedre shows notes of currants, plum, leather, spice, and black cherry. This full-bodied wine has supple tannins and a delicious finish. 

4. 2013 Domaine Leon Barral Faugeres 2013 Domaine Leon Barral Faugeres Jadis, Languedoc-Roussillon, FranceJadis, Languedoc-Roussillon, France ($55)

This blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan opens up with aromas of lavender, garrigue, and black fruit. Enjoy tasting the rich layers and the sweet tannin level that this wine has to offer. 

5. 2015 Clos Fantine Faugeres Cuvee Courtiol, Languedoc-Roussillon, France ($48)

The 2015 Clos Fantine has elegant aromas of cherry liqueur, roasted herbs, plum, and violets. The earthy tannins frame notes of tart cherry, blackberries, bitter chocolate, and licorice on the palate. 

6. 2009 Domaine de Cebene Faugeres Felgaria, Languedoc-Roussillon, France ($46)

This wine has aromas that are deep and spicy with expressive notes of ripe fruit and herbs. It has a noticeable minerality and a fine tannin level that will lead you to an excellent finish. 

7. 2015 Domaine Binet Jacquet Faugeres Grande Reserve, Languedoc-Roussillon, France ($45)

The bouquet of this wine has apple and raspberry notes. This medium-bodied red wine has notes of soft herbs, minerals, and red fruit. 

8. 2011 Domaine Bardi - Jean-Michel Alquier Faugeres Les Bastides d'Alquier, Languedoc-Roussillon, France ($41)

This wine displays a certain finesse with its aromas of spice, coffee, and smoke. It has notes of coffee and licorice on the palate with a fine tannin level and a rich finish.

Does Faugeres Wine Age Well?

Wines from Faugeres are meant to be drunk young and might not be the best choice for long-term investment. The white and rose wines have an aging potential of 1-6 years, while the red wines can age in the bottle for 2-5 years. 

However, some producers from the appellation have caught the attention of wine critics:

• The classic Languedoc wine from Chateau des Estanilles - the 2013 Fontanille (85% Syrah, 15% Grenache) - can be cellared for over 15 years and scored 93 points from Gilbert and Gaillard. 

• The Cuvee Jadis from Domaine Leon Barral is a Faugeres wine that shouldn’t be missed. The 2014 vintage of this Carignan, Grenache, and Syrah blend has received high scores from Wine Spectator (91) and Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (93.)

Let’s discover more about the Faugeres wine appellation. 

A Brief History Of Faugeres

Viticulture in the Faugeres region dates back to the Roman era.

Let’s take a look at some of the significant events that the region went through:

• At the start of the 19th century, winemakers turned local wine into a type of Eau de Vie (Fruit Brandy) through fermentation and double distillation.

• In 1955, the region was given the Appellation d’Origine Vin de Qualite Superieure (VDQS) status. 

• During the 1960s, terrible weather destroyed old vines, and new vines were planted. 

• In 1982, red and rose wines from the region were promoted to Faugeres AOC status, and white wines were added in 2005.

• In 2017, the AOC was replaced with a new quality hierarchy - Appellation d’Origine Protégée (AOP.)

The Faugeres AOC/AOP Regulations 

The Faugeres AOC/AOP regulations encompass all the white, rose, and red wines from the region. 

The red and rose Faugeres wines have to include Rhone GSM varieties and Lledoner Pelut. Cinsault, Grenache, Carignan, Syrah, and Mourvedre must make up at least 50% of any rose or red wine blend. 

White wine grape varieties include Marsanne, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, and the Italian Vermentino. These grape varieties can represent 70% or less of a vineyard, except Roussanne, which needs to make up 30% (the majority of the white wine blend.)

Terroir And Viticulture In The Faugeres Appellation

The schist soil in the region keeps the vine warm which aids ripening, while its acidity imparts freshness and minerality to grape varieties. The combination of the schist soil and the Mediterranean climate make the Burgundy-like limesThe schist soil in the region keeps the vine warm which aids ripening, while its acidity imparts freshness and minerality to grape varieties. tone and clay perfect for Faugeres wines. 

During the 1960s, new vines were planted along the terrain’s borders. The success of the vine plantings along the schist hillsides inspired winemakers in the Saint Chinian AOC and Coteaux du Languedoc to experiment with slope plantings. 

Today, the region has 1943 hectares of vineyards, with 150 producers and an average annual yield of 32 hectolitres per hectare. The appellation (AOC) also includes the communes of Autignac, Cabrerolles, Caussiniojouls, Faugeres, Fos, and Roquessels.

Wine Production in Faugeres 

The annual production in the Faugeres appellation comprises 84% red wine, 14% rose wine, and 2% white wine. 

• Red Wines are produced using traditional vinification methods. The winemaker ages the wine blends in oak barrels, and the time spent in oak is dependent on the blends. These powerful red wines have spicy notes, with hints of rockrose and garrigue and silky tannins. 

• Fresh and fruity Rose Wines are made from the same blend as red wines. The rose wines are known for their aromas of flowers and red fruit and come in an array of colors.

• For white wines, the winemaker uses standard vinification processes. Faugeres whites display aromas of almonds and apricots. The old schist soils give the whites a distinctive minerality and vibrant acidity. 

Sip a Delicious Faugeres Wine and Build Your Wine Collection

From the organic wines of Domaine Raymond Roque & Fils to the rich and intense red wines from Les Crus Faugères - the Faugeres wine appellation has something for all wine lovers! 

But, if you’re looking to discover fantastic long-term wine investment opportunities, then you need a trusted wine investment company like Vinovest by your side.  

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