Len de l'El

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Len de l'El
Grape (Vitis)
Len de l'El in Viala & Vermorel
Color of berry skinWhite
SpeciesVitis vinifera
Also calledsee list of synonyms
OriginFrance
Notable regionsSouth West France
Len de l'El grapes

Len de l'El (various spellings have been reported:

Gaillac must include at least 15% Len de l'El blended with Mauzac, though there has been movements to allow substitution of Sauvignon blanc (and since 2007 growers have been officially permitted to do so).[2][4]

Prior to the

acidity but powerful fruit notes.[2][4]

History and name origins

Len de l'El is found almost exclusively in the Gaillac region (pictured)

wine laws for the Appellation d'origine contrôlée in 1938 to dictate a minimum usage of Len de l'El for all white blends produced in the area—thus sustaining its presence.[6][7] While the laws were later amended in the 21st century to allow the substitution of Sauvignon blanc, the effects of the initial mandate for Len de l'El's use helped maintain the variety's presence in the region.[2][4][6]

It is widely accepted that the name Len de l'El comes from the

fruiting cane at a distance that is farther from the bud (or "eye", oeil in French) than most grape varieties.[4] This explanation is supported by Gaillac wine growers[8] and at least one French ampelography authority[3]
as well.

Wine regions

Gaillac growers can now substitute Sauvignon blanc (pictured) for the minimum 15% of Len de l'El required for AOC white wines.

Len de l'El is found virtually exclusively in the Gaillac AOC where it is a minor blending grape in the white and sparkling wine blends based primarily on the Mauzac grape. According to AOC regulations, at least 15% of the white blends must include either Len de l'El or Sauvignon blanc.[2][4] Other grapes that may be blended with Len de l'El include Sémillon, Muscadelle and Ondenc.[9]

The grape can also be found in the experimental wines of several

Muscat blanc, Mauzac and Sauvignon blanc.[10]

Viticulture

Len de l'El is highly prone to various

vineyard soils and ventilation of air currents to keep the vines dry.[6]

The vine can be quite vigorous and produce larger

harvested a little bit earlier so its acidity can balance the alcohol of Len de l'El.[5]

Wine styles

Despite the allowance of Sauvignon blanc to fulfill the minimum AOC requirement, Len de l'El can still be found in many white blends from the Gaillac AOC.

Len de l'El can

dessert style wines. According to wine expert Jancis Robinson, the grape can produce "powerful and characterful" full bodied wines.[6]

Synonyms

Len de l'El and its wines are known under a variety of synonyms including Cavaille, Cavailles, Cavalie, Cavalier, Endelel, Kavale, Kavaler, L'Endelel, Len de l'Elh, Len del El, Lenc de l'El, Lendellet, Loin de l'oeil.[11]

References

  1. ^ Institut Français de la Vigne et du Vin Sud-Ouest Len de l'El B ou Loin de l'Oeil Archived 3 July 2017 at the Wayback Machine" (French). Accessed: 23 October 2011
  2. ^ a b c d e Oxford Companion to Wine"Gaillac entry Archived 26 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine" Accessed: 6 February 2011
  3. ^ a b Ampélographie - Description des cépages et variétés de raisins de cuve ou raisins de table A specific collection of grape varieties Archived 28 January 2011 at the Wayback Machine" (French). Accessed: 23 October 2011
  4. ^
    ISBN 0-15-100714-4
  5. ^
    ISBN 1-85732-999-6
  6. ^
    ISBN 0-19-860098-4
  7. ^ Oxford Companion to Wine "Len de l'El Archived 14 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine" Accessed: 6 February 2011
  8. ^ Gaillac Wines "A specific collection of grape varieties Archived 28 January 2011 at the Wayback Machine" Grand Vin du Sud-Ouest (English). Accessed: 23 October 2011
  9. ISBN 1-55297-720-X
  10. ^ Wines of France Vin de Pays du Comté Tolosan Archived 11 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine" Accessed: 6 February 2011
  11. ^ Len de l'El Archived 13 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Vitis International Variety Catalogue, retrieved 2010-12-03
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