Skirting the eastern approaches of the Cévennes, the eye travels naturally up to the steep slopes of the arid Avants-monts. This is a region of aromatic heathland. At the foot of the Pic de la Coquillade, man has sculpted, stone by stone, superb south-facing terraces in the majestic schist (characteristic black slate-like rock of the region). Facing towards the sea and dominating the shoreline, it is the perfect expression of the Mediterranean climate. The natural rigour of the landscape seems to have bred a certain native cunning into the folk who have so carefully fashioned this landscape and taught them to reproduce the beauty of their vineyards in the harmonious quality of their wines, a wine of profound originality. The harshness of the characteristic native schist and the ups and downs of a long and eventful history have together sealed the common destiny of the seven communes that make up the appellation Faugères: AUTIGNAC, CABREROLLES, CAUSSINIOJOULS, FAUGÈRES, FOS, LAURENS and ROQUESSELS, each with their own authentic character. The 2000 hectares of vineyards that comprise the wine-producing region of the Faugères, classed VDQS ("qualité supérieure") in 1955 and A.O.C. ("appellation contrôlée") in 1982, include 35 independent growers and 3 co-operatives rivalling each other to produce, by sound modern methods, 75000hl of a truly distinctive and original wine. A third of the Faugérois vineyards are less than 35 years old, amongst the youngest anywhere in France. 67% of the wine sold is bottled locally by the growers, thus maintaining a close and solid personal relationship with their customers. The traditional cépages in the Faugères, Carignan for the reds and Cinsault for the rosé. To add more body to the produce of a naturally dry, thin soil, these are combined with grapes from older vines - Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre in a little over 50% of the total production. The red wines represent 80% of the output. The typical bouquets are flint, heathland, wild red fruit and fine tannins produced by a subtle and complex combination of four grape-types. The rosés represent just 20% of the output. They are produced from older Cinsault vines, which provide finesse and a floral tone, and Grenache, which adds elegance and body. Syrah, in relatively small proportions, helps to nuance the wine and develop its subtleties of taste and aroma. Currently under consideration by the I.N.A.O. (official licensing body) is a Faugères blanc, produced from the Marsanne, Roussanne, white Grenache and Rolle (or Vermentino) cépages. The "fine Faugères", which first found fame in the early years of the last century, is making a notable comeback in the early years of our own century. (map) SYNDICAT DE L’APPELLATION FAUGÈRES Chateau de Laurens - B.P. 10 - 34480 LAURENS Telephone 04 67 90 11 12 - Fax 04 67 90 11 06 www.faugeres.com - Email : faugeres@mnet.fr   Summary: 1 The Natural Regional Park of Upper Languedoc 2 The Sidobre 3 The Montagne Noire (Dourgne, Sorèze...) 4 Mazamet and region 5 The Monts de Lacaune - Brassac du Tarn 6 The Lakes and the Salvetois 7 The Valley of the Thoré 8 The Montredonnais   9 The Valleys of the Orb and the Jaur 10 The Saint-Ponais 11 The Monts d'Orb Following the wine trail: 12 The Faugérois 13 The Minervois 14 The Saint-Chiniannais © Photography, Thomas Hallbert © English translation, David Bond. © 2000-2008 vivrehautlanguedoc thomas@idaeus.com