Best of Languedoc Wine List, Athos Canal du Midi 2016

Athos has a trusted core of acclaimed Languedoc Chateaux and Domaines that have produced consistently acclaimed wines each year.

This is a look at Athos’ 2016 onboard Wine List.

Domaine La Colombette

A father and son team of vignerons who were the first to introduce plastic corks and screw top corks in the otherwise staunchly traditional wine trade of the South of France. They’ve also been on international wine-scouting trips to learn about wine technology abroad, including alcohol-reducing techniques that have permitted them to produce their alcohol-light rosé, “La Plume”.  Colombette’s wines have been part of Athos’ Canal du Midi cruises for many years.

2015 Sauvignon Blanc Vin de Pays d’Herault
2015 Grenache rosé Vin de Pays d’Herault
2015 La Plume Rosé Vin de Pays d’Herault
2014 Lledoner Pelut Vin de Coteaux Libron

Cave Pierre Cros

Pierre Cros is a well-known and well-recognised producer, based closer to Carcassonne than to the cruise route for Athos Canal du Midi.  He describes himself as a “Vigneron Militant”!  His passion is for reviving traditional grape varieties that have been forgotten or worked out of the current AOC guidelines.  His wines tend to sell out from year to year and so Athos gets there early!

2015 Les Costes, AOC Minervois Blanc
2013Les Vielles Vignes, AOC Minervois Rouge
2014 Les Aspres, AOC Minervois Rouge
2015 La Partouse, Vin de France Rosé

Les Costières de Pomerols, Cave Co-operative

The cave co-operatives across the Languedoc are responsible for much of the huge volume of wine produced in the region.  Traditionally, the huge volume did not necessarily represent refined wines.  Happily this has changed dramatically over the past 20 years and many Cave Co-ops are producing some excellent wines across the region.  This is one of Athos’ Canal du Midi cruising favourites and it matches up perfectly with the oysters and seafood of the terroir!

2015 Hugues de Beauvignac, AOC Coteaux de Languedoc, Picpoul de Pinet

Domaine les Murettes

Mme. Bellido of Domaine les Murettes has long been a force to contend with as is her Viognier.  It also sells out annually, and with reason:  this is a true dry white wine that speaks of pure Languedoc peach and apricot orchards. Quaffable and friendly with food.  A perfect wine for cruising with on the Canal du Midi.

2015 Viognier, Vin Blanc Biologique

Chateau la Negly

Based at Fleury d’Aude, overlooking the Gruissan and Narbonne plage area, the vineyards around Fleury grow in the salty Med breeze – never too cold in winter, never too dry in summer. Chateau la Negly are internationally recognised for their quality and also have a large production destined for international export.

2015 La Brise Marine, AOC La Clape Blanc
2014 La Falaise, AOC Coteaux de Languedoc

La Voulte Gasparets

Athos has carried La Voulte Gasparets Corbieres wines onboard for the past 20 years, a testament to their quality and consistency. Typical to Corbieres grape varieties and depth of fruit and character, these wines have always been crowd pleasers with passengers who cruise Athos Canal du Midi.

Cuvée Romain Pauc, 2013 AOC Corbieres rouge
Blanc 2015 AOC Corbieres
Rosé 2015 AOC Corbieres

Domaine d’Antech

Onboard bubbly – important for special occasions on board, and well, just because you can.

Cuvée Eugénie, AOC Crémant de Limoux
Cuvée Émotion, Cremant de Limoux

Chateau Mire l’Etang

This is another of the wine producers that Athos has worked with nearing 20 years. Again based on the Fleury d’Aude side, bordering the Med, Mire l’Etang’s wines benefit from the softening effects of the salty med air. Named for the historical Duchess de Fleury, Aimée de Coigny blanc is a crisp and delicate blend of Roussanne, Bourboulenc and Grenache Blanc. The Ducs de Fleury red is an oaked combination of traditional Languedoc grapes Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre noir.

Aimée de Coigny, 2015 AOC La Clape blanc
Ducs de Fleury, 2014 AOC La Clape rouge
Gris, 2015 AOC La Clape rosé.Rose