🥃 Eau-de-vie de Faugères

Eau-de-vie de Faugères, also called Fine Faugères, is a French wine spirit from Languedoc with an EU protected name. Wines from the Faugères AOC vineyards are distilled twice in copper stills and aged in oak barrels for at least 5 years. The strength in the bottle is at least 40% ABV; adding colouring and sugar is prohibited.

Area. The zone covers seven communes in the north-west of the Hérault department: Autignac, Cabrerolles, Caussiniojouls, Faugères, Fos, Laurens and Roquessels. The vineyards lie at 100–350 m on poor schist soils, sheltered from the north winds by the last spurs of the Massif Central. Permitted grape varieties include carignan, grenache, syrah, mourvèdre and cinsault.

How it is made. Wines of 10–15% ABV are distilled by the “à repasse” method: first a brouillis is made from the wine, then it is distilled a second time, and the heads and tails are discarded. The still, helmet, swan neck and condenser must be copper, and the spirit in the collection vessel must not exceed 70% ABV. Distillation ends by 31 March. Ageing lasts at least 5 years without interruption, in barrels of up to 600 litres.

History. According to the specification, the name Faugères is linked to Languedoc brandy from the 13th century. Around 1850 a distiller from Bédarieux, N. Sal, opened a distillery near Faugères station. The name was recognised by decree of 19 March 1948; the last distillery closed in 1985, and the tradition is kept alive by a travelling distiller.

Why this matters to you. Eau-de-vie de Faugères is a rare regional brandy with a long mandatory ageing: honey, prune, fig, vanilla and nut. The name on the label helps tell it apart. WHO reminds that there is no safe amount of alcohol.