When talking about wine in Provence, Bandol and Cassis often take center stage. Yet, nearby, two appellations deserve attention: Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence and Palette .
Two distinct territories, two strong identities, one common thread: light, wind, scrubland, and that Mediterranean scent that infuses even the glass.
Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence: the generosity of the sun
Located between the Luberon, the Sainte-Victoire and the Camargue, the Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence appellation covers a vast territory.
Here, the vines thrive under the influence of the Mistral wind , which purifies the grapes and concentrates the aromas. The climate is distinct and assertive, and the wines follow the same logic.
The style?
- Rosé wines : fruity, bright, fresh, perfect for aperitifs as well as for the table.
- Reds : supple or more structured depending on the area, often spicy, with depth.
- White wines : a minority but very interesting, with floral notes and a beautiful tension.
Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence is a wine:
- which is drunk with friends , on a terrace, a glass that catches the light;
- which appeals to those who like clean, precise, but not bland rosés;
- which goes equally well with a Provençal tomato salad or a grilled sea bream.
The appellation is vast, varied, and deserves to be tasted, compared, and forged in one's own path.
And that's perfect timing: several estates and vintages from the Coteaux d'Aix are available on Wine Upon A Time .
Palette: the hidden gem at the foot of Sainte-Victoire
In contrast, Palette is the complete opposite of excess: a tiny, almost secret appellation, nestled around the village of Tholonet , facing the Sainte-Victoire mountain so dear to Cézanne.
Here, we are talking about one of the smallest wine-growing regions in France , on limestone soils that were formerly marine.
The result: wines that are deep, chiseled, serious… but never austere.
The style?
- Reds : subtle, aromatic, with a true tannic elegance .
- White wines : even rarer, complex, sometimes slightly honeyed, always mineral.
- Rosé wines : more structured, gastronomic, with a real personality.
Palette is the name for those who like to understand .
Those who want to feel the nuances, the terroir, the hand of the winemaker.
Those who see wine as a conversation and not just as a glass.
Here we are in the realm of craftsmanship , history, and precision.
A wine that tells a story.
Food and wine pairing ideas to impress at the table
- Coteaux d'Aix rosé → beefsteak tomato tartare, olive oil, basil
- Coteaux d'Aix red wine → herb-roasted lamb
- White shoulder → grilled sea bass or homemade bouillabaisse
- Red palette → free-range poultry with chanterelles
Simple, clean, no frills: Provence on the plate and in the glass.
Extend the experience: taste these wines at home.
Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence and Palette wines are available in selection on Wine Upon A Time .
Each bottle is carefully chosen for what it says about the terroir, the identity, the craft.
Discover. Compare. Savor.
It's like travelling to Provence… without leaving the table.
What if you came and experienced Provence up close?
For those who want to feel the sea , walk through the vineyards and taste the wine on site , there is an address.
👉 Lei Cigaloun
A renovated Art Deco villa , located on the seafront in La Madrague – Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer .
Panoramic view, terrace opening onto the Mediterranean, easy access to the estates of Bandol, Cassis, La Cadière and Le Castellet.
Perfect for an elegant and inspiring wine tourism stay.
📍 More information & bookings: https://www.leicigaloun.com
