The Athos Blog

Athos Crew Profile 1: “Matt”

Ready, Set, Athos Crew 2013…

Crew Profile:  Matthieu Potel

Having met and shared a laugh with Matthieu, many of you will be as pleased as we are that our english-speaking French Tour Guide is getting set for another season on board the Athos.  Matt will join us mid-April to help familiarise 2013 crew with their surroundings and to get Athos into shipshape.  As a professional Tour Guide, Matt has kept busy this winter while guiding groups to Zagreb (in -11 degrees!) and to Dublin to watch some of the 6 Nations Rugby.  Of course, some of you may already know that Matt is a sports fan.  During his well-spent youth he was seriously involved in county baseball (Yes, in France!).  For those of you in the know, he’ll be keen to ask you what’s happening with the sport on the other side of the pond.  In addition to baseball and rugby, Matt knows competitive Petanque, also known as boules, or bacci-ball in Italy.  Alas, consider yourself warned in the event that he invites you to a game onside Athos! We’re glad to have you back, Matt!

Athos Tour Guide 2013, Matt

Meet more of our crew soon!

Athos’ Recommended Top 3 Languedoc Reds for Christmas

All 3 wines listed below are stocked by Athos, and are sold internationally and may be available through your local Wine Merchant:

  1. Chateau La Voulte Gasparet, AOC Corbieres
  2. Chateau Ollieux Romanisse, AOC Corbieres
  3. Borie du Maurel, AOC Minervois (Belle de Nuit or Cuvee Syllah)

 Athos’ Top3 all contain blends of 4 typical Languedoc grape varieties:

  • Grenache (versatile with chocolate & pepper notes)
  • Syrah:  weighty & fruity
  • Mourvedre:  used in smaller doses than Grenache/Syrah for dark colour & leathery notes
  • Carignan:  (sometimes the Make or Break grape (!).  Vinified well, it adds depth and silky tannins.

Suitable food combinations:  Corbieres & Minervois reds will blend deliciously with winter menus items like:  turkey, duck, beef potato/garlic dishes, winter vegetables like red cabbage.  Cheese!

Recommended Languedoc Reds for Christmas