bouquet
boo-KAY
/buːˈkeɪ/
The complex fragrance that develops in wine during bottle aging, distinct from the primary fruit smells of fresh grapes.
Refers specifically to tertiary aged aromas (oak, vanilla, leather) rather than simple fresh fruit aromas.
The story behind the word. Derived from Old French 'bosquet', a diminutive of 'bois' (wood). Originally meaning a small grove of trees, it broadened to mean a cluster of flowers, and by the 19th century was adopted by French tasters to describe a lush collection of aromas in aged wine.
Word relationships
- aroma: 'Aroma' refers to young fruit smells; 'bouquet' specifically means complex scents from fermentation and aging.
Commonly confused with
- posy: A posy is a small bunch of real flowers; bouquet in wine refers to complex scents.
Collocations
- complex bouquet
- rich bouquet
- aromatic bouquet
- develop a bouquet
Example sentences
- "As the aged Cabernet opened in the glass, its bouquet revealed deep notes of cedar and tobacco." Wine Critique
Memory hook
A bouquet of flowers fills a room with complex smells; a wine bouquet fills your glass. The flower-bed of aged wine scents.
When not to use
Do not use to describe bad, sour, or corked smells in wine.
Fun facts
- Sensory scientists have identified over 800 distinct chemical aroma compounds contributing to a wine's bouquet.
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