The white grape variety originates from France. Synonyms are Austenq, Baratszoeloe, Béquin, Blanquette, Blanquette Sucrée, Chalosse, Dourec, Dourech, Gaillac, Guindolenc, Hamuszoeloe, Irvine's White, Oeil de Tour, Ondain, Ondainc, Ondenc Blanc, Ondent, Ondin, Oundenc, Oundenq, Oustenc, Oustenq, Oustenque, Piquepout de Moissac, Plant de Gaillac, Primard, Sable Blanc and Trousseau Gris. It must not be confused with the varieties Bourboulenc (Ondenc), Mauzac Blanc (Béquin), Piquepoul Blanc or Trousseau Gris (mutation of Trousseau Noir), despite seemingly suggestive synonyms or morphological similarities. Nothing is known about the parentage and possible relations to the red varieties Arrouya (Dourec Noir) or Canari Noir (Ondenc Noir). According to DNA analyses carried out in 2009, there is possibly a parent-offspring relationship with the variety Roussette d'Ayze. A colour mutation with reddish berries is Ondenc Gris.
This early-maturing, high-yielding vine is susceptible to botrytis, grape rot, trickling and both types of powdery mildew. It produces neutral white wines that are also used for distillation. It is permitted in the Bergerac, Bordeaux, Côtes de Duras and Gaillac appellations. It was first mentioned in 1783, with praise for the quality of the grapes. It used to be widespread in south-west France and still occupied around 1,600 hectares at the end of the 1950s. However, the population has dwindled extremely. The variety, which is threatened with extinction, is now cultivated on only one hectare. In the 19th century, it reached Australia, where it was discovered in 1976 by the ampelographer Paul Truel (1924-2014) under the names Irvine's White and Sercial. In 2016, however, only the population in France was designated (Kym Anderson).
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
Images: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI)
