The Local Wines …. Are STUNNING and affordable.
General Thoughts!
Faugères is widely recognised as one of the best areas in France for wine production. The appellation covers the southern slopes of a range of hills just a few miles inland from the Mediterranean coast in the central Languedoc. The town of Faugères forms the centre of the zone, which stretches some 10km (7 miles) from east to west. Laurens, is one of the villages of the Faugères area with several producers in the village, all a stones throw away from the house.
This position is very important to the terroir in Faugères, as the hills provide protection from cold northerly influences from the Massif Central as well as neatly orienting the vineyards toward the prevailing sun. This gives Faugères a warm, classically Mediterranean climate where even the later-ripening varieties like Mourvèdre are able to reach full maturity.
As is often the case, the best sites are located on the steeper slopes higher on the hill, while the vineyards on the plains that stretch toward the sea make mostly lower-quality wines that are often sold under the regional IGP title.
Faugères benefits from its geological history – the relatively unique schist soils found here are the result of an ancient seabed that was compressed by the shifting of the Alps and the Pyrenees. These soils are deep and free draining, allowing them to absorb and retain warmth to aid ripening.
The official makeup of Faugères vineyards is relatively prescribed. The principle varieties are stated as Grenache, Lledoner Pelut, Mourvèdre and Syrah.
These should make up at least half of any vines destined for red or rosé wine with both Grenache and Lledoner Pelut representing at least 20 percent each, Syrah 15 percent or more and Mourvèdre at least five percent.
Carignan is classified as a "complementary" variety and must make up between 10 and 40 percent of any vineyard. Cinsault is an "accessory" grape and can represent no more than 20 percent of plantings.
For the whites, which are a minority production here, the main grape varieties listed are Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne and Vermentino (Rolle). Either variety can represent no more than 70 percent of a vineyard and Roussanne must make up at least 30 percent of that.
Clairette and Viognier are also allowed, although neither (individually or together) can comprise more than 10 percent.
These planting guidelines tend to be roughly represented in the final blend, although there are further stipulations. For instance, Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah must make up at least half of any red or rosé blend.
White wines must contain Roussanne, and the main white varieties must make up most of any white wine produced.
Site Content
Local cycling wine tour
Local cycling wine tour
Local cycling wine tour
https://maps.app.goo.gl/GxKCTJAX8rzGKV2q6
1. Chateau Grezan –
Our vault is open from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays
from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Close on Sunday
2. Chateau Autignac - https://www.chateauautignac.fr/notre-vin/
Visits & Tastings: Open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Public holidays contact us.
3. Domaine de Sarabande - https://www.sarabande-wines.com/
Domaine la Sarabande is open every day from 14:00 to 18:00, or you can schedule an appointment.
All the domaines above speak English. A simple tasting should be free, if you want a guided tour they may charge 10-15 euro.
You can turn up but it may be better to call or email in advance. Allow yourselves about 30 mins for each tasting. Don't feel obliged to buy any wine unless you really like it!
Chateau Grezan
Local cycling wine tour
Local cycling wine tour
This chateau is in the village of Laurens, an easy bike ride away or a 20-minute walk (5 mins in the car if you’re there to buy).
The chateau is visible from the Beziers to Bedarieux road, just before the main turning into Laurens. It’s well sign-posted and the rumour is that the chateau’s architecture is based on the construct of the medieval town of Carcassonne.
They produce 25 different wines, a mix of red, white and rose. We’ve taken the Rose to dinner parties and got positive feedback, so much so that we often take a few bottles home for people as the summer gets closer.
If you’re at the house in June, look out for their wine-tasting events. Ben & Ness joined us in 2022, on a warm evening strolling around the grounds with 25+ local producers all show-casing their wines. You buy a ticket, get a glass and then use tokens to try the wines. It takes some degree of commitment to find your favourite, but we came away with some new names of local producers to buy from.
Domaine La Sarabande
Local cycling wine tour
Domaine La Sarabande
Domaine La Sarabande, lies across the main Beziers to Bedarieux road from Laurens. Paul (Aussie) and Isla (Irish) own circa 5 hectares of vines of the schist soils that dominate the local wine terroir. They learnt their craft in New Zealand and 15 years ago made the bold decision to buy land and begin their journey to producing high quality, organic, wines. They focus on low yield high concentration grapes which produce some excellent reds, as well as a decent orange wine. Not the cheapest in the area with the single varietal Syrah fetching €25 a bottle but they are considered one of the better small estates in the whole of Languedoc.
We were properly introduced to them on a gloriously sunny day in April 2023. They offer a walk & talk through their terrain (a relatively gentle 3kms typically taken at a very leisurely pace), with Paul talking you through their approach, their vines and their cepages with a little foraging thrown in for good measure. A simple lunch afterwards is the opportunity to taste the wines and chat to some of the other interested locals. To be honest its mainly 2ndhomeowners who do the tour, with a mix of Dutch, German and Brits doing a fine job of creating an ‘entente cordial’. The wine helps, and Paul makes sure that if you want to, you get a chance to try all they produce.
Look out for the chance to take the tour. If the weather’s nice it’s a really nice way to meet people and get a chance to sample their high-quality wines.
Domain Paul Mas
Domaine de Brescou
Domaine La Sarabande
Paul Mas wines are the result of symbiotic harmony between an extraordinary region for producing wines, passion for the vineyard, respect for the grapes during vinification, and great blending and ageing knowledge: the Paul Mas style. The legend of Vinus, the Heron, started on the Hérault Riverbanks, at the foot of Château Paul Mas in Pézenas. Languedoc Grands Crus and Grands vins, from our vineyards in Pézenas or Montagnac, at the Nicole Estate, make up this range, which also includes varietal wines with distinct character. Château Paul Mas is made of 3 Estates: the Castle and a 25-ha vineyard in Conas, near Pézenas, the cellar and a 80-ha vineyard in Nicole, near Montagnac (where we produce the Clos des Mures), and 40 ha in Caux. Our labels feature Vinus the heron in front of the Conas castle.
They do a great wine tasting starting at 10Euro.
Noilly Prat
Domaine de Brescou
Domaine de Brescou
Maison Noilly Prat is nestled in the charming fishing village of Marseillan. Surrounded by sunny vineyards overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and its famous oyster farms.
https://www.noillyprat.com/fr/fr/
Marseillan is one of the picturesque villages on the Etang de Thau in Languedoc-Roussillon and east of Beziers. Once an active fishing port, its principal activity now revolves around its position at the end of the Canal du Midi (a world heritage site).
Pretty fishing village to visit.
Domaine de Brescou
Domaine de Brescou
Domaine de Brescou
Domaine de Brescou has been cultivating wine since the 14th century. The domaine stretches over 30 hectares on the gently sloping hillsides of the Languedoc region,
Our consultant oenologist/viticulturist is a Swede who knows how to combine his know-how with his creativity as a winemaker and ‘wine designer’. These wines are usually unfiltered to preserve as much fruit and aroma as possible.
Our review - the wine here is OK, not the best we've tasted, however the tasting and a tour with some art including local artist Flipo Emmanuel is included and its all free. We think this is worth a 30 min visit. you could stop at Chateau St Pierre de Serjac for a cocktail on the way back. You'll also pass Chateau Margon which is very pretty.
Domaine de Brescou
Rte de Margon, 34290 Alignan-du-Vent
04 67 24 96 66