Mediterraneo is based on an old recipe used at the Monastery of St. Giacomo, and was reconfigured for the Italian line Carthusia by nose Laura Tonatto. The fragrance launched in 2002, and features notes of lemon leaves and green tea.
Mediterraneo starts with tart, juicy lemon and lots of green: crushed green leaves, dried green tea leaves, lemon verbena, and maybe even a hint of lime peel. The green tea intensifies as it dries down, and there are vague hints of other fruits and light florals. After a hour or so, it gets ever so slightly soapy, but it is not at all harsh or aggressively clean…
A flame inside a beautiful cobalt glass on my dresser unleashes not only a blue tinged soft light, but also a wonderful scent. The fragrance is tart and crisp with enough sweetness to lend a nice balance and to meld all the notes together. One moment, it is a plate laden with grapefruit slices sprinkled with sugar and lemony coriander seeds; the next, it is a bouquet of garden herbs about to be chopped in the course of dinner preparations.
Last night I stayed up late watching Katrina's doings on CNN. My thoughts are with all of those in the South who have been affected by this major hurricane.