Just Grapes | South China Morning Post
By Alexander Ross
It is said the only part of the pig not utilised is its squeal. Well, the grape can now give porky a run for its money.
There is grape jelly, raisins, the grapes themselves, grapeseed oil, vinegar and of course, wine . . . and even the very dregs, or grappa. Now we have a fragrance.
Funny how my least favourite word in the wine lexicon can be so sweet smelling and seductive. I am not talking about tannin on the tongue and palate. This Tanin is applied to the nape of the neck and just behind the ears. A fragrance made not from the grapes themselves but from the crushed, briefly-blooming blossoms that precede them - simply, the vine flowers.
These tiny blooms have a lifespan of two weeks. You have to be quick to catch their distinctive scent. Now, two Frenchwomen have captured the unisex essence and produced the first vine flower scent, naming it Tanin.
The two entrepreneurs - Bordeaux native Marie-Christine Lillet (of the well-known wine-making family), and her associate, professional 'nose' Olivia Giacobetti (who worked for years with such respected houses as Guerlain and Hermes) - put their talents, experience and heads together on this venture with impressive results. Sniff their product as you would a fine wine and the unmistakable aromas of violets, fresh moss, lemon leaf and oak permeate.
As the blossoms are so delicate in their natural state, Giacobetti had to add a soupcon of spiced hind (or a pink peppery ingredient) and a bit of watermelon and musk to give it body.
The bottle is as unique as what is inside it: a sculpture of a sphere of wood and clear glass, with a thorn-like closing, it evokes the wine-making process.
The perfume is now available at the Ritz Hotel in Paris or at Toronto's Hotel Renfrew. Or you can fax them at 05 5628-5594 for other, more convenient outlets.
Alexander Ross has covered the video game industry for a decade, writing deep dives on game design, esports tournaments, VR developments, and gaming culture.
