# Château Simone Palette Blanc (2022)

- **Producer:** Château Simone
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Ugni Blanc, Muscat Blanc
- **Region:** Provence, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.0%
- **Average price:** €65
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 12–14 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blossom, peach, lemon, orange, mint, fennel, toast, cedar, resinous, honey, dried apricot, almond

## About this wine

Château Simone is located in the small Palette AOC of Provence, situated near Aix-en-Provence on north-facing limestone slopes surrounded by pine forests. The estate's historic cellars were hand-dug into limestone in the 16th century by Carmelite monks. The Rougier family acquired the property in 1830 and has guided it across seven generations. Former proprietor Jean Rougier was instrumental in creating the Palette appellation decree in 1948. The flagship white cuvée is widely celebrated as one of Provence's most unique, prestigious, and long-lived white wines.

## Interesting facts

- Cellars were hand-dug into solid limestone by Carmelite monks in the 16th century.
- Jean Rougier's advocacy led directly to the official creation of Palette AOC in 1948.
- The vineyards feature rare north-facing exposure in hot Provence, keeping acidity high.
- Traditional vertical hydraulic presses are still used for gentle juice extraction.

## Food pairing

This full-bodied white wine pairs rich texture with lively acidity and saline minerality. Its structural weight handles rich poultry and cream sauces, while its energetic freshness and pine-herbal notes cut through fatty ocean fish and Mediterranean herbs.

## Wine making process

Harvesting is completed entirely by hand with double sorting in the vineyard and cellar. Grapes are lightly crushed and pressed using traditional vertical hydraulic presses. Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts at controlled temperatures in small wooden vats for 15 to 20 days. The wine undergoes a long maturation period totaling 18 to 24 months prior to bottling, including 18 months resting on fine lees in oak casks and foudres, followed by one year in older oak barrels.