Palus | Term used in the Bordeaux region for marshy alluvial land found near the watercourses of the Gironde, the Dordogne and the Garonne. It comprises mainly silt. The first to plant vines on the palus (pronounced pa-loo) were the Romans. Its fertility guaranteed generous yields. In the late 19th century the annual flooding the palus underwent helped protect the vines from phylloxera. See soil types.

Tom Stevenson (2011) describes palus as ‘a bordelais name for a very fertile soil of modern alluvial origin that  [in Bordeaux] produces medium-quality, well-coloured, robust wines.’

Bibliography

Tom Stevenson (2011) The Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia 5th Edition by Tom Stevenson (Dorling Kindersley, 2011), p.17-19.