Provence

The appellation lies in the west of the Provence wine-growing region in France, it borders in the east on the large AC Côtes de Provence. It is named after the city of the same name, located to the north of Marseille. In the 15th century, under the “wine-making king” René of Anjou (duke of Provence), Aix-en-Provence was a centre of the arts, and the wines from the region were famous. The artist and painter Paul Cézanne (1839-1906) spent much of his life living in the city, and immortalised the beautiful landscapes in his paintings. To the suuth-east of the city is the small AC Palette. The vienyard area totals around 3.500 in around 50 communes. The appellation Les Baux-de-Provence is an enclave. The red wine is a blend of Grenache Noir, with a maximum of 40% of Cinsaut, Counoise, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carignan (the last two may make up a maximum of 30%). For the rosé, a maximum of 10% of the additional varieties Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Vermentino, Ugni Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon are permitted. The white wine is made from a maximum of 70% in total of Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Vermentino, a maximum of 40% of Ugni Blanc, as well as a maximum of 30% of each of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Well-known producers include Chapoutier, Château Barbebelle, Château Bas, Château de Beaupré, Château de Calavon, Château de Calissanne, Domaine de Costebonne, Château de Fonscolombe, Château de la Gaude, Château Pigoudet, Château Revelette, Mas Sainte Berthe, Domaine de Saint Julien les Vignes, Château de Sulauze and Domaine de Trévallon.