Faugères and Magalas: schist to sandstone
North to south from the schist hills of Faugères, past Laurens, down onto the sandstone and marl around Magalas. Tap a layer to read it.
Swipe the plate sideways to see the whole section.
Schematic: the schist and the younger Tertiary beds are drawn with one simple contact south of Laurens; its true position and nature (fault or unconformity) are to be checked against the BRGM 1:50,000 sheet for Bédarieux and Pézenas. The Tertiary beds are named generally. Laurens and Magalas sit up to 0.7 km off the line; Brouca's and Magellan's parcels are placed by commune only, and Clos Sauveplane, at the eastern end of Faugères, is drawn dashed on the schist near Laurens until it is located. Ground from AWS terrain data.
4 layers, youngest at the top
Single vineyards we pour from. Tap one on the plate.
Why schist and sandstone taste apart
- Schist is poor and stony; roots go deep down the plates, and yields stay low.
- It stores heat by day and gives it back at night, yet the wines stay fresh, with fine, savoury tannin.
- The sandstone south of Laurens drains and warms early; wines from it are aromatic and supple.
- Hills behind Faugères bring cool night air; the plain toward Béziers is warmer and drier.
Did you knowFaugères is the only Languedoc appellation that lies entirely on schist. Its neighbour to the west, Saint-Chinian, is part schist and part limestone.
Pas Mal wines on this ground
Faugères, from Laurens
- Faugères Champs PentusDomaine Frédéric Brouca
- Faugères Champs Pentus — Grenache, Syrah, CarignanDomaine Frédéric Brouca
- Faugères Clos Sauveplane — Syrah, MourvèdreDomaine Frédéric Brouca
- Foulage Gaulois — Pinot NoirDomaine Frédéric Brouca
- Samsó Seulle — CinsaultDomaine Frédéric Brouca
- VermouthDomaine Frédéric Brouca
Sources: Faugères AOC (Wikipedia and syndicat press kit); INAO Faugères specification; Decanter, Pézenas regional profile; Domaine Frédéric Brouca and Domaine Magellan producer notes; BRGM 1:50,000 geological maps, sheets Bédarieux and Pézenas; AWS Terrain Tiles; Nicholas Pearce Wines, Domaine Frédéric Brouca; Good Food Revolution, Frédéric Brouca.