Grape Variety: Loin de l’Oeil

Colour: White

Len de L’Eh or Loin de l’Oeuil derives its name from its appearance. The bunches are situated near the front front of the branch, and have a long peduncle. As such, they are far from the eye (the bud) of both the branch and the bunch. A more whimsical version says that the bunches are far from the eye of the harvester, and thus some of them get left behind !

Very little is known about the history of this grape. It seems to have been present in the Gaillac region for a very long time. It was probably used in blends of sweet white wines which were very popular in England, Flanders and Holland in the 17th and 18th centuries. In the 19th century, it made up 30% of the blends of Gaillac white wines.

The nose is very reminiscent of citrus blossom and tropical fruit and the taste is fruit forward with Granny Smith, lemon, lime and tropical flavours followed by mineral and a touch of of almond nuttiness arrive on the finish.The grape is often blended with Mauzac, as in our Gaillac Blanc, Chateau Clement-Termes, These wines would go well with pan-fried trout.