Loin de l’Oeil: Rediscovering Gaillac’s Signature White Grape

An indigenous variety with many expressions

Native to the Gaillac appellation area, Loin de l’Oeil is a local white grape variety renowned for its aromatic finesse and its ability to produce bright, delicately fruity wines with consistently vibrant freshness.

The tasting showcased a wide range of styles, highlighting the full versatility of the variety:

• Dry wines: precise, floral, with harmonious vibrancy;
• Lightly sparkling (“perlant”) wines: fresh, easy-drinking and typical of the region;
• Off-dry and late-harvest wines: highly elegant, driven by natural acidity that perfectly balances the residual sugar. Even in late-harvest versions, the wines retain remarkable drinkability and lightness.

Ageing in barrel reveals yet another facet of the grape: more texture and richness on the palate, greater structure and a broader, more expansive finish.

Committed, passionate winegrowers

Among the estates present, attendees were able to exchange with:

• Stéphanie Vieules, Domaine Philémon
• Pierre Fabre, Domaine Gayrard
• Alain Rotier, Domaine Rotier

Stéphanie Vieules, Pierre Fabre and Alain Rotier.

Each shared their own vision of the grape and, through their cuvées, demonstrated the depth and diversity of possible expressions of Loin de l’Oeil.

An initiative worth highlighting

Les Comptoirs Gaillacois have for some time been doing valuable work to raise the profile of Gaillac wines within the Paris restaurant scene. This tasting is fully in line with that dynamic, creating a space for direct encounters between winegrowers and on-trade professionals, as close as possible to the market.

At Gilbert & Gaillard, we attach great importance to supporting this kind of initiative, which shines a light on distinctive grape varieties and encourages their discovery by key influencers and buyers.

An inspiring event that makes you want to rediscover—or explore for the very first time—this singular grape variety: authentic, expressive and deeply rooted in its terroir.