Palette

Located close to Aix-en-Provence, a tiny 23-hectare vineyard produces Palette wines. On these 23 hectares, a very small number of estates cultivate some 25 different grape varieties to produce exceptional wines. The estate covers part of the municipalities of Meyreuil and Le Tholonet, as well as a small part of the municipality of Aix-en-Provence. The appellation, recognized by decree on April 28, 1948, owes its name to the hamlet of Palette, located in the center of a cirque of the same name, 4 km east of Aix-en-Provence. Among the oldest estates in the appellation, Château Simone is particularly noteworthy.

The terroir of the Palette appellation is located on the lacustrine limestone of Langesse and Montaiguet. The Palette vineyard is found only on soils made uniform by limestone scree, i.e., on thin, stony skeletal soils. The Palette vineyards are protected from north winds by the Langesse and Grand Cabri hills, but are exposed to west/northwest winds from the Arc Valley. The predominantly northern exposure almost always requires late harvesting.

Palette red and rosé wines are mainly made from Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault grapes. Carignan, Syrah, Manosquin, Durif, Muscat Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Castet are used as secondary varieties. For white wines, Clairette offers the best results, complemented by other varieties common to the terroir. Palette's average production is 1,300 hectoliters, of which approximately 40% is red, 40% white, and 20% rosé.