Our take
What does Quercia smell like?
Quercia is Italian for oak. Acqua di Parma added it in autumn 2019 to Signatures of the Sun, a line of eaux de parfum each built around one raw material. Here that material is oakmoss. The opening recalls Colonia with lemon, bergamot and petitgrain, plus pink pepper for bite. That citrus freshness does not last long. Cardamom and geranium take over, resting on dry cedar. The base is the real subject. Oakmoss smells of forest floor and damp bark with a trace of ink. Patchouli deepens the earth while tonka bean softens it. Don't mix it up with Colonia Quercia, a 2016 cologne from a different collection. Compared with Terre d'Hermès, Quercia is greener and less mineral. It is a modern aromatic chypre, something fairly rare in luxury lines. The price stings, though.
When to wear it
An autumn scent for days outdoors or at the office. Two sprays are enough, as the moss lingers on clothing.
It belongs to the Woody, Aromatic family. Quercia is one of 6 creations by Acqua di Parma in our encyclopedia.
