Fragrance and Wine

The great lessons of experiencing wine at the source: price and enjoyment are not always lined up. The farmer matters.

A well-made Sauvignon Blanc from a good producer can embarrass a more famous, heavily marketed bottle. The difference is often less about “quality ingredients” and more about intent and balance. The same is true about a fougère, a chypre.

One of my favorites - Beckmen Vineyards - is working from a winegrowing perspective, rather than just chasing mass-market flavor profiles. Their grapes are excellent - from better vineyard decisions and lower production volumes. There is just more attention. I’ve spoken with Steve Beckmen himself and watched him work in the vineyard; that attention shows up in the bottle.

Big grocery-store Sauvs have a recognizable style:

Punchy. Aromatic. Consistent.

That can be exactly what people want — but next to a more nuanced bottle it can come across as one-dimensional.

I’m not impressed by the name on the bottle; I’m paying attention to whether the thing itself has character. The “cheapest” bottle in the lineup might be the one everyone remembers because it actually fits the moment.

And so it is with fragrance. Last night at the Fragrance House Grand Opening, I smelled niche bottles that made me wake up. $135, $120, $145 for 50ml of quality, perspective and generally small batch. Sometimes just one run.

Tonight:

For dinner? charcuterie, salad, barbacoa and conversation.

To drink? Sauvignon Blanc (Beckmen) > Viognier (Sunstone) > Grenache Libre (Beckmen)

To wear? Fantasma Overglow by Iggywoo - my newest ultra-niche find - I’m feeling spicy and I want long hugs - blood orange and woody notes. Want to give it a spray? Book a private fragrance experience.