A unique experiment in Languedoc-Roussillon, for a Protected Designation of Origin, begins in Faugères, north of Béziers. Two winegrowers have just planted around 3,000 Bouquet vines in this homogeneous schist soil.
The particularity of these grape varieties is to be much more resistant to diseases, in particular to mildew and powdery mildew. In other words, they allow limit the use of plant protection products intended to protect plants and crop products.
The Faugères AOP has 140 winegrowers and winegrowers
These vines bear the name of its inventor. Alain Bouquet from Montpellier, a figure in world wine education and research, who died in 2009, spent his life in developing resistant grape varieties with promising qualitative potential. This unique experiment in Languedoc-Roussillon is also carried out in Cognac in Charente.
“Planting more resistant feet is essential“explains Marie Corbel, the director of the AOC Faugères union. “It is a necessity for environmental and societal reasons.”
More resistant vines obviously means less chemicals, sulphur, copper used to fight diseases. These are all products that will not end up in the environment with the return on investment hoped for by winegrowers.
The AOP Faugères extends over 2,100 hectares, north of Béziers and Pézenas and climbs up to 300 meters above sea level. This appellation produces 73,600 hectoliters per year. Near Saint-Chinian, the soil is mainly composed of shale. Here, we usually say that “the grapes ripen at night“. The schist absorbs the heat during the day, while it releases it at night, which further promotes good ripening of the grapes.
– Stefane Pocher
The vines were planted in April on the heights
This experiment, piloted by the Interprofessional Council of Languedoc Wines (CIVL) and supervised by the National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (INRAE), attracted six winegrowers from the AOP of Faugères . This collective candidacy was selected among many others.
Only two of them planted during last April. This is the case of Jérôme Salles on the heights of Roquessels. The farmer engaged in organic agriculture (for 12 years) has just planted 1,200 feet on an area of 3,000 square meters (out of the 18 hectares that make up the family farm).
A daring bet with significant economic consequences in the event of failure. But this winegrower does not hide his pride: “It is a necessity to move forward, and to pass on to future generations different models. Transmit something more suited to the needs we have.”
Four winegrowers will in turn embark on the adventure in 2023
A first vinification is envisaged within three or four years. “We hope to collect a thousand liters“according to Jérôme. But this harvest will not be declared in Faugères at first. The first cuvées will benefit from Vin de France recognition. “Inevitably, they will not be valued in the same way.”
“Winegrowers have merit in embarking on this adventure, given the economic context we are experiencing.” – Marie Corbel
The wines of Faugères, one of the oldest appellations of Languedoc go celebrate their 40th anniversary this year. It is also the first appellation to have introduced agro-environmental measures in the 2010s in its specifications. “Experimentation is part of this dynamic of research and development of the appellation. It is for this reason that the syndicate applied“explains Marie Corbel.
The planted grape varieties, close to Grenache, currently bear a simple number. While waiting for the first tasting in 2025, the syndicate is responsible for ensuring follow-up within the framework of a very supervised protocol. The experiment is supported by the Chambers of Agriculture and the Occitanie region.
Administratively, red Faugères can be produced in the communes of Faugères, Laurens, Autignac, Cabrerolles, Roquessels, Caussiniojouls and Fos.