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AOC 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 and Cinsault for red 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 arignan. 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 2 000 ha of vineyards 150 producers 1 cooperative wine producers 47 private wine producers Average yield 40 hl/ha Average production 70 000 hl (85% red, 13% rosé, 2% white) Sales 56 000 hl (storehouse outputs 2005/06) General Distribution: 24 000 hl (43%) Source CIVL
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