At the foot of the Montagne-Noire (Black Mountains) and covering the picturesque Orb valley, the Saint-Chinian wine appellation was formed in 1982 to group together the wine production from twenty villages, centering around the town of St Chinian. With its strong focus on high quality wine production, St Chinian wines have won a well-deserved reputation for fruity, full-bodied Languedoc wines.

Located in Southern France, the Languedoc wine region is part of the large Mediterranean coastal area, reaching from the Spanish border to Provence in the east. The vineyards of Languedoc are experiencing an exciting renaissance with production moving away from high volume to focus more on high quality. The Languedoc wine region benefits from long hot summers, perfect for growing wine.

From my perspective, there are two standout restaurants in the South of France: the Mirazur in Menton and the Auberge de Vieux Puits in the Corbieres. These two restaurants stand as bookends - both physically and figuratively - to the other restaurants in South France.

The Vinipolis restaurant and wine centre is a welcome addition to the Languedoc wine industry. The enterprising wine cooperative of Florensac opened the Vinipolis complex in 2008. Set in a shiny glass building, Vinipolis provides informative tours and wine tastings, together with an excellent brasserie next door.

If you're coming to Languedoc and you like good wine, then you are in for a real treat. Some of the best wines in France are grown in Languedoc. Here is our tried and tested selection of the best Languedoc wines.

If you are looking for a good place to eat in Languedoc, then follow the Go Languedoc guide to the best bistros and restaurants in Languedoc. As we are based in the Languedoc and we enjoy our 'tucker', we thought that we would pass on some of our tips of the best Languedoc restaurants we have eaten in.

The Minervois wine region located in a triangle between Narbonne, Carcassonne and Beziers has been consistently turning out outstanding Languedoc wines for the last two decades. The Minervois wines are now firmly established as some of the premier wines in Languedoc. The Domus Maximus wine, from the Minervois wine region was voted the 'best wine in the world' by Wine critics in 2009.

In my humble opinion, the wines from Faugères are among the best red and rose wines to buy in South France. Certainly, if we are going around to our French friends for dinner or an apero, then a bottle of Faugères always goes down well. My prediction is that the Faugères wines, little known outside of the South of France, will become the next 'discovered wine'.

The Chateauneuf-du-Pape wines need no introduction to wine buffs everywhere. Although technically not quite in Languedoc wine region, Chateauneuf-du-Pape is such an amazing wine and so close-by that it is worth a detour up to Avignon to seek it out. Situated 20km from Avignon, this appellation of wines is famous the world over.

Picpoul-de-Pinet is the one French white wine you absolutely must drink in Languedoc. The production of the world famous Picpoul de Pinet white wine is centered around a few small villages close to the Bassin de Thau, that produces much of France's high class oysters and mussels. Quite simply, Picpoul de Pinet is an outstanding French white wine at a refreshing price.

Domaine du Meteor is an excellent vineyard to visit for a wine tasting in South France. Domaine du Meteor produces one of the best Rosé wines in the Languedoc and you can combine your wine tasting with a tour of the vineyard followed by some delicious tapas, overlooking the vines.

Ah Fitou!! now you are talking about a proper French wine. I wouldn't necessarily want to live in Fitou (too remote for my liking), but what great wines they produce. I always think that the wines of the Fitou vineyards in Southern France remind me of drinking a Rioja. The deep flavours of these red wines hit you about 30 seconds after tasting.

No less than 10 Languedoc wines feature in the Sunday Times list of the top wines to buy. The respected Sunday Times wine critic, Janice Robinson, has picked out 10 Languedoc wines in her wine buyers guide for 2010. Beating off stiff competition from Australia, Spain, Chile, South Africa and Bordeaux, the Languedoc wines topped the poll.

If you love excellent food and wine, then there can be no finer restaurant in the South of France as Auberge du Vieux Puits. This Michelin star restaurant is run by the celebrated French chef, Gilles Goujon; and it has just received its 3rd Michelin star award. I can not recommend this restaurant highly enough. The food, the service, the wine, the cheese . . . all were excellent.

Taking a picnic under the warm summer sun in South France, is the perfect way to enjoy all that fabulous French cheese, bread, paté, charcuterie - and of course the French wine. If you are planning your family holidays in South of France this summer, here is a list of 10 great places to enjoy a picnic in the French countryside.

Noilly Pratt is a famous French vermouth drink that is used as the base for Dry Martini. The original Noilly Prat dry vermouth was invented back in 1813. The coastal town of Marseillan in South France, was for 200 years the home of the Noilly Prat distillery, located on the edge of the harbour.

The little known Faugeres vineyards make some of the best wines in the South of France and some of the best Faugeres wines are produced by a British guy, Simon Coulshaw from Domaine des Trinities. If you want to taste some fantastic Languedoc wines and get a great story to go along with it, then Simon Coulshaw is your man.

Pastis is the drink of the South of France. This aniseed spirt which turns yellow when you add ice and water, is as revered in Southern France, as Whisky is in Scotland. Walk into any bar in the South of France and the chances are that you will see two old boys up at the bar drinking a Pastis. 

If you are looking to get the lowdown on traditional foods to buy in France, then this popular French food tour in Montpellier is a great idea. Guided by a local food expert, Marine Dromard, you will discover some amazing French gastronomy. The food tour takes in the the beautiful historic centre of Montpellier, where you can stroll past food shops and browse the food markets, finding many hidden gems along the way.