The brand Balma Venitia comes from the south of France, because that is exactly where the label founder and designer Thierry Lemahieu is based: in the small village of Beaumes-de-Venise, north-east of the city of Avignon and at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail mountain range with its characteristic and impressive mountain ridges, which rise up steep and rocky.
At home in the south of France
The area around Beaumes-de-Venise is not only known for its landscape, but also for the excellent wine that is grown in the region. The grapes draw their aromas from the rocky soil and the warmth of the sun, as the location of Beaumes-de-Venise is perfect for growing first-class grapes with a full-bodied taste.
Thierry Lemahieu loves his home town as much as he loves perfumes. At some point, the designer met perfumer Marie Duchêne – how exactly this encounter came about remains an open question – and as a result, the three eaux de parfum White Wood, Chanvre Sauvage and L’Eau de L’Âme were created. Incidentally, there is a winery in Beaumes-de-Venise called Vigneron Balma Venitia, whose name is certainly based on the place, but unfortunately I was unable to find out in my research whether there is a connection to Thierry Lemahieu.
I divide my life and my time between my two passions, art and perfume. (…) A meeting with Marie Duchêne, perfumer in Grasse, transformed my sources of inspiration together with the most beautiful ingredients into noble fragrances from natural formulas. Italian lemon, Java vetiver and Nagarmotha proclaim their beauty in a fragrance that lingers with its sillage. The aromatic signature of Balma Venitia Parfums.
White Wood – white wood
The name seems quite simple and yet it fits perfectly with the look of the beautifully designed outer packaging and the classically elegant yet minimalist flacons, all in the colours white, black and gold. The fragrance notes sound tempting, even if I can’t recognize the reference to Provence at first glance: Pear, apricot, fig leaves, green notes, sandalwood, fig wood, patchouli, woods, tonka bean, ambergris and white musk. The closest connection I can see is to the Muscat wine grown in Beaumes-de-Venise in the south of France, a sweet, fruity liqueur wine that is said to play with some of the notes mentioned above.
White Wood by Balma Venitia reveals wonderfully fruity and sweet nuances of juicy pear and greenish fig right from the start. The apricot creates velvety accents that are underlined by warm sandalwood. Light woods not only give the creation somehow its name, but also lend it durability and volume before the creation slowly fades away with powdery-soft facets. Transparent, spring-like and wonderfully carefree, the eau de parfum reminds me of Petite Chérie by Goutal, a fresh, youthful ode to the warm season. A good mood fragrance through and through. Perfect for fans of pears, figs and beautiful compositions.
Chanvre Sauvage – wild hemp
With Chanvre Sauvage, Balma Venitia dedicates itself to the Provençal landscape, as the composition “transports us to the hills of Mont Ventoux, where hemp and sage grow. A revelation of pure nature. Chanvre Sauvage is the emotional image of the wild landscape with its red rocks illuminated by golden sunlight.” Marie Duchêne uses the ingredients mandarin, lemon, cannabis, clary sage, vetiver, cedarwood, patchouli, ambergris, woods, nagarmotha and incense for the eau de parfum.
Chanvre Sauvage by Balma Venitia has a herbaceous, tart opening, infused with a citrusy freshness and characterized by rich cannabis nuances and greenish clary sage. I would classify the fragrance as striking and rather masculine, with hints of barbershop. A subtle smokiness combines with dark, earthy nuances, aromatic woods and a fine incense coolness drifts through the composition in gentle clouds. An herbaceous, smoky and greenish fragrance, fresh and tart, with a medium presence and good longevity, which I tend to see in the warmer months of the year. Suitable for the office and everyday use.
L’Eau de L’Âme – Water of the soul
L’Eau de L’Âme also revolves around Provence, the home of Balma Venitia. It is a creation about which the brand writes: “The soul of Provence, a walk through the vineyards at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail, where the aromas of rosemary and sun-ripened bergamot fill the air. The intensely floral L’Eau de L’Âme is a delicious interpretation of grape blossom. A fragrance that lingers long after the summer has come to an end.” Perfumer Marie Duchêne captures this special mood with the fragrance notes bergamot, wormwood, cannabis, rosemary, wine blossom, lavender, patchouli, oak, woods, oak moss, musk and ambergris.
The opening of L’Eau de L’Âme is greenish-fruity, citrus-fresh, creamy and sweet thanks to fine citrus fruits and herbs. The vine blossom is at its most beautiful and at the same time creates a link to the wine region in the south of France. I perceive light woods that give the creation a frame and depth without restricting the creamy, fruity floral sweetness in any way. In the base, powdery-warm and subtly earthy nuances bring the fragrance to a very harmonious close. A finely balanced and beautifully composed composition that enchants all year round and for every occasion. Rather transparent, with a medium presence and good persistence. Really great!
I would like to thank Mr. Spies from ISIS Parfums for providing a Discovery Set and a bottle of White Wood for an unboxing reel on our Instagram account.
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