With Pomelo Assoluto, the turquoise-blue Smaragd Collection from Italian niche fragrance label Gritti is getting a summery addition. It’s been over two years since my last post on the brand, so I’m particularly looking forward to today’s star guest Pomelo Assoluto. Firstly, I really like Gritti – I think the White Collection is absolutely magical – and secondly, I’m a big fan of citrus fragrances. It seems to be exactly my time of the year, because just last week I introduced you to Histoire d’Orangers Extrême by L’Artisan Parfumeur, a really beautiful Hesperides creation. And I can already give you a little preview: I will also be presenting Matsu Kï by Masakï Matsushïma here soon, and I’m sure a few other citrus fragrances will follow. After all, summertime is also the time for hesperides.
Smaragd Collection – Italy’s vibrancy in fragrance form
With the Smaragd Collection, Gritti invites us to experience Italy with all our senses. Inspired by the bright colors of the Mediterranean, the intense shades of blue and the sun-drenched turquoise, it embodies the country’s energy, creativity and joie de vivre. But the Smaragd Collection is not just about summery lightness. Each fragrance in this collection is a small work of art.
Now with seven fragrances – Tangerina, Arancia Ambrata, Siracusa, Pomelo Sorrento, Neroli Extreme, Costiera and Pomelo Assoluto – perfumer Luca Gritti combines distinctive citrus notes with innovative molecules in each composition, creating scents that are fresh, lively and vibrant on the one hand, yet unexpectedly profound and surprisingly long-lasting on the other.
Gritti – Venetian heritage and the art of perfumery
The Gritti brand draws on a rich history that stretches back to the time of the Serenissima Repubblica di Venezia, the Republic of Venice. The legacy of Alvise Gritti, a 16th century nobleman and alchemist, lives on in Gritti’s modern creations. The compositions take us on a fascinating journey through elegant Venetian salons, opulent masked balls and the exotic goods that came to Europe via the Silk Road. Each bottle bears the Gritti family crest, and each perfume tells a story about “the aristocracy, the courtly ritual, the courtesans, constantly in search of elegance and sensuality, and the multicultural society that already characterized life in Venice at the time.”
Pomelo Assoluto – Queen of the citrus fruits
For me, the pomelo is one of the most exciting citrus fruits of all and at the same time one that is used far too rarely in fragrance compositions. Larger and more majestic than its Hesperides relatives, it delivers not just tart freshness, but a fascinating blend of juiciness, subtle bitterness and an almost creamy sweetness.
Botanically, the pomelo(Citrus maxima) is one of the original forms of all grapefruits and is the largest of all citrus fruits. It originally comes from South East Asia, where it has been cultivated for centuries. It is characterized by its thick, leathery peel, which protects the juicy, bitter flesh and gives it its unmistakable, aromatic character. The peel can be a bit of a challenge to peel, but the reward in the form of delicious flesh more than makes up for the effort.
In this extrait de parfum, perfumer Luca Gritti combines pomelo with grapefruit, maritime notes, pink pepper, green tea, cardamom, juniper berries, magnolia, rose, woods, ambergris and musk. Incidentally, Pomelo Assoluto is not a more intense version of Pomelo Sorrento, but an independent interpretation of the citrus fruit, which is intended to be darker, more sensual and more complex – a grown-up, almost mysterious facet of pomelo.
Pomelo Assoluto starts with refreshing, tangy citrus notes that remind me of juicy pomelo and tart pink grapefruit, accompanied by subtle maritime notes. The sea breeze is really only perceptible as a fresh breeze, by no means exuberant or aquatic in any way, which I like wonderfully. Magnolia and green tea underline the flowing facets of the creation with greenish-floral aquatic nuances, which are gradually joined by the sparkling, woody accents of juniper berries and airy, sweet rose. These lend additional freshness and lightness to the powerful and authentically realized hesperides, while sunny, warm and powdery woody notes round off the creation in a wonderfully harmonious way.
With Pomelo Assoluto, the Gritti brand presents us with an expressive, vibrant and absolutely summery citrus fragrance that is wonderfully Mediterranean and elegant. Not a light breeze, but a Hesperides creation that stands with both feet on the ground, mature, sophisticated and magnificent. Perfect for all those who love expressive and sunny fragrances with rather tart, tangy citrus fruits and a gently maritime, greenish-fresh finish. Suitable for every occasion in the warmer months of the year – and unisex, of course. Not just a must-try for pomelo fans!
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