wine 

Thanks to its warm Mediterranean climate, Languedoc is the most productive wine-growing region of France. Wine has been made here for over a thousand years, and since its late 19th century heyday the region has exported its vins de table and vins de pays to the whole country. In more recent times, however, Languedoc has increasingly concentrated on its finer wines, including those of the Saint-Chinian appélation, covering 20 villages of which Vieussan is the northernmost.

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In Vieussan itself, there are now three winemakers left out of the many in earlier times: the domaines Carrière-Audier, whose caveau is in the old village; Guiraud, based in the hamlet of Boissezon 500 metres up the road above our house; and Donnadieu, whose caves are at La Roque. All make St. Chinian or vins de pays de l'Hérault and vins de table, in various combinations, red, white and rosé, and Carrière-Audier also make Muscat and an aperitif, la Catéroise. In Mézeilles the cave Sénaux is also one of our favourites. 

The larger villages nearby, Roquebrun (left) and Berlou (right, 10 minutes) are particularly worth visiting for dégustation. Many good wines are available en vrac as well as en bouteille, and the 'bag-in box' (the English term is used, abbreviated to 'bib')  is a cheap way to buy very drinkable wine in bulk.