Provence

Small appellation located in the centre of the wine-growing region of Provence in France, it lies to the south-east of the city of Aix-en-Provence. To the north lies the large appellation Coteaux d´Aix-en-Provence; Palette is often also described as the Grand Cru of this AC. The total vineyard area is only 22 hectares, on a special limestone-rich soil. This soil structure was the reason why the region was classified as an own appellation in 1948. There is a confusingly wide range of grape varieties planted, with more than 30 varieties permitted, some of which are extremely rare. Red wines and rosé are blends made from a minimum of 50% Mourvèdre, Grenache Noir and Cinsaut, as well as from Brun Fourca, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Castets, Durif, Syrah, Terret Gris, Téoulier Noir and Tibouren, and from a maximum of 15% Aragnan, Clairette, Colombard, Grenache Blanc, Muscat, Pascal, Picardan, Picpoul, Terret-Bourett, Ugni Blanc and Ugni Rosé. The white wine is made from a minimum of 55% Clairette Blanche, as well as from Aragnan, Colombard, Grenache Blanc, Muscat, Pascal, Picardan, Picpoul, Terret Gris, Ugni Blanc and Ugni Rosé, as well as from a maximum of 20% Terret-Bourett. Only two wine estates share the total vineyard area. They are Château Crémade and the famous Château Simone.