Chanel or Botrytis? Delpeuch creates perfume from wine
November 30, 2005
By Panos Kakaviatos
If you like the aroma of Sauvignon Blanc enough to rub it on your neck and smell of it all evening, CIVB chief Christian Delpeuch has just the thing for you.
Delpeuch, general director of the Bordeaux negociant Ginestet as well as president of the Bordeaux trade body the CIVB, has enjoyed worldwide sales of his line of three perfumes derived from wine molecules.
The range includes something for all tastes. Sauternes lovers can smell like their favorite sweet wine with Ginestet's 'Botrytis', which retails at €53 per 100ml and 'recalls a great Sauternes in its sparkling autumnal silk robe,' according to web adverts – with aromas of 'honey, candied fruits, quince and gingerbread.'
For wine barrel aroma lovers, there's 'Le Boisé', which arrives 'concealed' in a wooden case. Once opened however, the perfume exudes 'the light vanilla touch of the oak' used to age Bordeaux wine.
Finally, Ginestet conjures the scent of Sauvignon Blanc, the grape that smells of 'grapefruit, white peach and box tree aromas'. Sauvignon has also been described, famously, as 'cat's pee on a gooseberry bush', though it is unlikely the perfumiers have attempted to recreate that aroma profile.
'For the past year, sales of these perfumes have been healthy worldwide; they also complement Bordeaux promotion as accessory products,' Delpeuch told decanter.com.
As to whether one can wear, say, 'Botrytis', and then order a red Bordeaux wine, with completely different aromas, Delpeuch cautions, 'If you are going to seriously taste wine, you should avoid wearing too much of any perfume.'
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