My comment had been offered in sympathy for the workers in this boutique shop, which features hand-made soaps and cosmetics with no packaging.  I figured they too must dread the over-powering essence of jasmine, watermelon, cucumber, Ylang-Ylang and dozens of other scents figuratively screaming for the attention of every nostril within 50 feet.  But my words were not taken kindly.  Visibly bristling, the Sales Associate gave me a look she likely reserved for the heathen, the non-believers…

"Well, SOME customers actually LIKE the ambiance our scents create.  And though packaging would mute the scent of our products, we don’t believe in it – it’s bad for the environment!"

Huh.  Throwing away expensive packaging IS bad for the environment.  "And for the bottom line too" I thought.  But I noticed she didn’t mention that.  I can be so cynical sometimes.

"Besides," she continued "perhaps you’re not aware of the aromatherapy benefits of our products?"

"Before you tell me about that, I’m curious about why you leave your front door open all the time?  The scent makes me sneeze every time I pass by.  And if the wind is blowing up the street, I sneeze a full block before I get here."  Now this, I admit, was not offered with the same collegial intent as my original comment.  But it was true, nonetheless.  She ignored me and pushed on…

"Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils, either inhaled, dissolved in baths, or applied to the body, for physical and emotional healing."  If you’re like me you’ll find such claims for aromatherapy’s benefits just slightly more convincing than those for subliminal advertising or astrology.  Or so I thought, until I found this alternative definition:

We have all experienced a memory triggered by a particular scent; perhaps the scent of a favorite flower or lover, or the perfume your grandmother used, or the linen closet of your childhood. A scent can produce positive or negative memories, such as positive or negative thoughts about a person or place in your past.

Ahhh, that sounds a bit more mentally digestible.  We’re talking about scent memory here, right?  Hey, give me a beautifully aromatic wine and my memories of good times past begin to meld with the anticipation of ones yet to come.  If that’s armatherapy, I’m all in!

And for those not yet convinced or otherwise eager to experience what I mean, I offer these wines in evidence.  Just be sure to serve them only slightly chilled and to swirl each wine before you plant your schnoz inside the glass to inhale.  Oh, and open the bottle with someone you love – it helps assure future memories of good times.  I’ll leave it up to you as to whether you "apply it to the body" in any way other than orally (though I do think a dab behind each ear would be nice, and should you decide a belly button in repose makes the perfect wine glass, well, I’d say you’re off to a good start.)

The "Aromatherapy" Wines – 4 Wines from SidewaysWineClub.com  Just $66:

1. Tablas Creek Vineyard, 2002 Roussanne
   Exhibiting amazing bottle bouquet, this wine is just now coming into its most rewarding period, emerging from its chrysalis, as it were. The simple, fresh honesuckle of its "Lolita" youth is being flattered by the development of the pear and honey aromas that good Roussanne develops as it approaches adulthood.  Will continue to evolve pleasantly for another year, at least.  One of the favorites at our house.
2. Daniel Gehrs Wines, 2005 Chenin Blanc
   Words can’t describe the eyebrow-raising affect of this wine’s aroma. But since you can’t smell through your terminal (yet) I’m stuck with the frustrating task of attempting to do so – jasmine, honeysuckle and Asian spice, pears and
3. Vina Robles, 2004 Sauvignon Blanc, Jardine Vineyard
   Some of the grassiness one expects in a well-made SB, but without the cartoony exaggeration of some such wines. Hints of melon and orange blossom round out this most pleasant nasal experience!
4. Tudor Wines, 2005 Radog Rhone-Style Rose
   Talk about a scent memory! The first time I put nose to glass for this wine I was taken back to my last wine journey in the Rhone Valley. As enjoyable on a hot afternoon as it is with Thanksgiving dinner.

Cheers!
Dave Chambers
Dave@SidewaysWineClub.com

Quote of the Day:
If you make customers unhappy in the physical world, they might each tell 6 friends. If you make customers unhappy on the Internet, they can each tell 6,000 friends.
JEFF BEZOS