The colourless liquid is a monohydric alcohol from the group of terpenes (monoterpene alcohols). It is found in lavender and rose oil and has a fresh, sweet, floral, rosy-citrus smell and taste. The substance is used in the production of vitamins A and E and also in perfumery as a fragrance in rose and flower fragrance compositions. Nerol is similar to geraniol, to which it is isomeric (different structure of the molecules). Nerol and geraniol are among the numerous aroma substances in wine. They are responsible for the typical floral (after roses), muscat-like aroma of wines from the varieties Riesling, Traminer and Muskateller.
I have great respect for the scope and quality of the wein.plus encyclopaedia. It is a unique place to go for crisp, sound information on terms from the world of wine.
Dr. Edgar Müller
Dozent, Önologe und Weinbauberater, Bad Kreuznach