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White wine lees or green wine lees, notes of cognac wine lees, or brandy-flavored, the scents of our wines captivate our curious noses and guide us towards perfumes that venture off the beaten path.
Exploring the World of Wine Notes in Perfumery
Before delving into the power of wine notes in perfumery, it's essential to understand the raw material that gives rise to these remarkable essential oils. Wine lees are born from grapes harvested from various grape varieties and soils, which are then vinified in metal vats or oak barrels. Wine dregs, the residue found at the bottom of the liquid, contain the undesirable elements of the precious nectar.
Fun Fact: The ancient Egyptians were among the first to recognize the potential of grapes in perfumery, using grape pomace as a base for their fragrant ointments.
The allure of essential oils derived from wine lees lies in the variety of active ingredients they possess, influenced by terroirs and wines. The essential oil of wine lees, used in aromatherapy and perfumery, can take on the character of its original vintage. Perfumery was drawn to this living and varied raw material, which offers multiple olfactory facets depending on the origin, vintage, or terroir.
Some of the most renowned wine lees essential oils include green wine lees essential oil and white wine essential oil, the latter being fruitier than the former. However, the wine note can be produced from any nectar, giving rise to cognac or brandy notes, and even champagne.
Unconventional and Original Fragrances That Evoke the Wine Note
Wine notes in perfumery offer a rich and diverse range of raw materials, much like grape varieties, soils, and vintages do for wines. Though fragrances featuring wine lees notes are relatively rare, their olfactory and creative concepts are undeniably innovative and worth mentioning.
Frédéric Malle's Une Rose, released in 2003, incorporates the wine note alongside geranium to enrich its woody floral composition with unique top notes. The fragrance presents a complex blend of rose, animal notes, and delicately woody nuances.
Bloody Wood by Liquides Imaginaires, a fruity and chypre fragrance, aims to recreate the scented sensations its creator experienced while tasting a fine Bordeaux wine. As a result, the wine note is a top note, combined with roses and metallic notes.
Fun Fact: Wine notes in perfumery can evoke an intoxicatingly rich, fruity, and sometimes boozy sensation, reminiscent of the wine they were derived from.
In Frapin's Nevermore, the wine lees are a top note along with rose oxide and aldehydes, but are distinctly associated with a cognac note. Maison Frapin, legendary in the world of cognac, naturally incorporates wine lees into their fragrance for woody and light head notes, amber and woody heart notes, and base notes that reflect the brand's image.
Wine Notes: A Growing Trend in Modern Perfumery
As the world of perfumery continues to evolve, wine notes are gaining traction among perfumers seeking to craft distinct and memorable fragrances. The multifaceted character of wine notes enables them to harmonize with a variety of olfactory families, creating novel and exciting scents that captivate the senses.
Fun Fact: Wine notes can impart a sense of sophistication and elegance to fragrances, making them highly sought-after in the creation of luxurious perfumes.
Take, for instance, Byredo's Accords Oenologiques collection, which showcases the fascinating connection between wine and perfume. The collection features three fragrances: Chypre, Boisé, and Floral, each inspired by a different wine and highlighting the unique notes found in various vintages.
Another example is Cognac by Art Meets Art, a unisex fragrance that combines the rich, opulent notes of cognac with spices and woods, creating a captivating scent that lingers on the skin.
The exploration of wine notes in perfumery is far from complete, as creative perfumers continue to experiment with this versatile and intriguing raw material. As the trend grows, we can expect to see even more fascinating fragrances that highlight the intoxicating allure of wine notes, taking the art of perfumery to new heights.
Wine Notes: A Perfect Pairing with Food-inspired Fragrances
Wine notes can also be found in food-inspired fragrances, offering a delightful pairing that enhances both the perfume and the culinary experience. These scents can evoke the warmth of a cozy meal shared with loved ones or transport the wearer to a romantic dinner in a quaint vineyard.
Fun Fact: Wine notes can evoke a sense of nostalgia, bringing back memories of cherished moments, and creating a unique olfactory journey.
Jo Malone's English Oak & Hazelnut Cologne, for instance, combines the woody notes of oak with the nutty warmth of hazelnut, rounded out by the mouth-watering aroma of red wine. The result is a comforting and inviting fragrance that evokes the feeling of dining al fresco in the English countryside.
With the increasing interest in wine notes, we can anticipate a growing number of perfumers turning to this captivating raw material to create innovative and unforgettable scents. As the world of perfumery expands its horizons, the possibilities for wine-inspired fragrances are truly limitless.
