Palette

Just outside Aix-en-Provence, a tiny 23-hectare vineyard produces the wines of Palette. Within these 23 hectares, an extremely small number of estates cultivate some 25 different grape varieties to produce exceptional wines. The estate covers part of the communes of Meyreuil and Le Tholonet, as well as a small part of the commune of Aix-en-Provence. The appellation, recognized by decree on April 28, 1948, owes its name to the hamlet of Palette located at the center of a cirque of the same name, 4km east of Aix-en-Provence. Château Simone is one of the oldest estates in the appellation.

The terroir of the Palette appellation lies on the lacustrine limestone of Langesse and Montaiguet. The vineyards of Palette are found exclusively on soils rendered uniform by limestone scree, i.e., on skeletal soils of little thickness and stony soils. The Palette vineyards are protected from northerly winds by the Langesse and Grand Cabri hills, but are subject to westerly/northwesterly winds via the Arc Valley. The predominantly northerly exposure almost always means late harvests.

Palette 's 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 grape varieties. For white wines, Clairette offers the best results, complemented by other grape varieties common to the terroir. Average production at Palette is 1,300 hectolitres, of which around 40% is red, 40% white and 20% rosé.