Bergamot from Calabria, on Italy's southern coast, produces the citrus oil that anchors roughly 90% of luxury fragrance top notes. The Citrus bergamia tree is cultivated almost exclusively in the Reggio Calabria province, where the climate, salt air, and rocky soil yield an oil that reads more floral, slightly bitter, and more complex than Brazilian or Ivory Coast bergamot. It is the green-citrus signature of Earl Grey tea, of every classical eau de cologne, and of nearly every Chanel and Dior opening. Laboratorio Olfattivo Bergamotto is a focused Calabrian-bergamot soliflore worth exploring as a reference. Calabrian bergamot flashes brilliantly for an hour then fades; perfumers extend the top with lemon, mandarin, or neroli. Browse Calabrian-bergamot-led fragrances at the Calabrian bergamot collection.
