Bouquet
noun /bʊˈkeɪ/ — The complex aroma of wine developed through ageing.
Definition
The characteristic scent of a wine — distinguished from the simpler aroma by referring specifically to the complex smells developed through vinification and ageing, rather than those from the grape itself.
Beyond the definition
Bouquet is what happens to wine when time gets involved. A young wine has aroma — fruit, flowers, the grape's own smell. But after years in barrel and bottle, the bouquet emerges: leather, tobacco, dried fruit, earthiness — smells that never touched the vineyard. Time as ingredient.
Origin & history
French: bouquet (a bunch of flowers), a metaphor for the composite of aromas found in a glass of aged wine. Used in English wine writing since the 18th century to distinguish the complex developed scent from simple grape aromas.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The twenty-year-old Bordeaux had a bouquet of cedar, tobacco, and old leather.
She closed her eyes to identify the bouquet before she tasted it.
The chef spoke of the bouquet the way a wine collector spoke of great vintages.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Bouquet” when the meaning fits your context: The characteristic scent of a wine — distinguished from the simpler aroma by referring specifically to the complex smells developed through vinification and ageing, rather than those from the grape itself.
Synonyms
aroma, nose, scent, fragrance
Antonyms
flat, neutral, odourless
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Smelling Simmering Rich Sauce
An adult in a kitchen holds bread dipped in simmering sauce, with steam rising and an expression of satisfaction.
The rising steam from the simmering sauce represents the bouquet of a complex culinary preparation. It refers specifically to the aroma developed through cooking, which is far more complex than the scent of individual ingredients alone, capturing the essence of the sauce.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Bouquet" mean?
Bouquet is noun meaning: The complex aroma of wine developed through ageing.. The characteristic scent of a wine — distinguished from the simpler aroma by referring specifically to the complex smells developed through vinification and ageing, rather than those from the grape itself.
Where does the word "Bouquet" come from?
French: bouquet (a bunch of flowers), a metaphor for the composite of aromas found in a glass of aged wine. Used in English wine writing since the 18th century to distinguish the complex developed scent from simple grape aromas.