Languedoc Vineyards and Endless Wine Tastings

In addition to a full week’s luxury barge cruise, Athos endeavors to find at least one wine tasting in the Languedoc area each week.  As the same tastings are new to passengers each week, we often do the same wineries.  Having said that, over the years we’ve found wine tastings and visits so varied, interesting and educational that it’s well worth breaking an easy routine in favour of going somewhere new.

Some of the Athos’ recommended Languedoc wine visits:

• Domaine de Guery – friends of the family, a charming visit of an 18thC winery and traditional equipment still in use
• Domaine Pain de Sucre – new to Athos, thorough and a very pleasant setting
• Mas Daumas Gassac – a bit of a drive from the Canal du Midi area, but well-acclaimed internationally and worth the extra time spent on the road
• Borie du Maurel – a stunning corner of the Minervois, and scrummy wines to boot.  Glamorous tasting Cave.
• Domaine la Colombette – just outside Beziers, dangerously quaffable Sauvignon Blanc
• Les Trois Blasons – an upmarket Cave Co-op close to the town of Minerve
• Chateau la Vernède – fabulous historical Chateau setting, huge cave & broad selection of wines
• Chateau Perdiguier –thorough estate visit and tasting
• Chateau Ventenac – Cave co-op directly borders the Canal du Midi
• Domaine Saint Brhune – in Athos’ home port of Argeliers, fruity summertime rosé & smooth, rounded reds.
• Chateau de Brau – close to Carcassonne, offering some organic wines.