Côteaux d'Aix-en-Provence is one of the main French appellations in the Provence wine region, located in the extreme southeast of the country. It is the second largest appellation in the region, with about 4,000 hectares North and west of Aix-en-Provence - the town from which it takes its name. The area also bears the tiny title of AOCPalette. The Côteaux d'Aix-en-Provence appellation was first introduced as a VDQS in 1956, having been informally known as Côteaux du Roy René (René d'Anjou being a 15th century French king famous for his love of wine and the Vine).
Full AOC status was granted in December 1985. The wines of Côteaux d'Aix-en-Provence are, in that order of importance, rosé, red and white wines. The rosés and reds are made from a Complex blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsaut and Counoise, with Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon making up to 30% of these blends. The white wine of the appellation is made from an equally complex hierarchy of grape varieties, both local and borrowed.
