Matching fragrances to festive tipples with wine expert Helena Nicklin
Helena Nicklin @helenasips is an award-winning Wine, Spirits & Lifestyle Writer and Broadcaster, who’s co-produced and presented The Three Drinkers global TV series for Amazon Prime, and has her own @flockandhive podcast “for those curious about life, the universe, and everything.” And now, she’s opening up her extensive knowledge by starting her own online wine academy courses: @hswineacademyWe happen to know that Helena also adores perfume - the worlds of fine wine and fragrance being incredibly compatible. So, for this episode, we’ve set her a challenge: to pair four of our fragrance choices with festive tipples. Then, WE are challenged - pairing four drinks Helena’s chosen to fragrances we feel they’d match with!We had SUCH fun (and learned a lot) during this episode, and hope you enjoy as much as we did. We discuss…Helena matching our fragrance choices to festive tipples: Nicola chose: @thameenfragrance Centre StageHelena paired:Condrieu@domaineguigal Guigal Condrieu Rhône, France, £43.99 @waitrose WaitroseSuzy chose: @guerlain MitsoukoHelena paired: Oaked Chardonnay @thewinesociety1874 150th Anniversary Meursault Narvaux (Louis Jadot) 2018 The WIne SocietyNicola chose: @fredericmalle Portrait of a Lady Helena paired:Gewurz drier Traminer@borgodelleoche Borgo delle Oche Traminer, £22.99 or £15.99 angel price, @nakedwines Naked WinesSuzy chose: @ormondejayne Ormonde Woman Helena paired: Syrah@yann_chave Domaine Yann Chave Le Rouvre Crozes-Hermitage, £27.99 @laithwaites.wineLaithwaitesSuzy & Nicola matching fragrances to four drinks chosen by Helena: Helena chose: Orange wine: “A sweet savoury thing going on with a nose of bergamot /earl grey tea, tangerine and dried lemon peel. On the palate, it's subtly nutty with bitter citrus peel notes and a touch of cinnamon and cardamom. It has grip a texture - more so than white wine.”Gros Manseng Orange Wine £7.50 @asda ASDANicola paired: @millerharris Tea Tonique @dior Thé CachemireHelena chose: Amarone: “A brooding and powerful (Italian) red wine style that's full-bodied and rich. Pronounced notes of dark, ripe cherry and milk chocolate on the nose. On the palate, it's velvety with darker, bitter chocolate notes, a hint of rose and an incense-like spiciness.”Masi 'Costasera' Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG, £33.74 (‘mix 6’ price) @majesticwineMajesticSuzy paired: @bdkparfumsparis Tabac RoseHelena chose: Sauternes: “A lusciously sweet wine with an upfront nose of candied lemon peel, marmalade and lemon sherbet. On the palate, marzipan notes with more tropical notes of mango and honeyed apricots. There's a refreshing, zingy acidity though so it's not cloying.”L'Or Du Ciron Sauternes, £13 half bottle, @marksandspencerfood & @ocadouk OcadoSuzy Paired:@kushbuperfumery MausamHelena chose: Morgon - Beaujolais 'Cru': “A lighter red wine style (perfect for turkey) that's famously tangy, bright and fresh with notes of ripe strawberry and raspberry leaf on the nose. The palate is more about ripe raspberry fruit with subtle cinnamon and clove spice from a touch of oak. There's a slick of alinity throughout that helps with its freshness.”Morgon - Beaujolais 'Cru': Morgon La Chanaise, £13.99 WaitroseNicola paired: @millerharris Myrica Muse This is our last episode of the main pod for 2024 - we can’t wait for the fragrant adventures of next year (SO many plans already!) Until then, wishing you a wonderful festive holiday. We hope you get to relax at some point. Until next time, sending all our love,Suzy & Nicola xx
