Over decades, vineyards have been receding in the Aude region, driven by vine uprooting campaigns, depriving areas like the Corbieres of a natural firebreak, which were ravaged by a massive wildfire in early August. As consumption declines, to prevent overproduction and support wine prices, the state has subsidized an uprooting campaign, which resulted in 5,000 hectares uprooted in Aude, including 2,500 in Corbieres. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES