oenanthic adj. (Chem.) Having, or imparting, the odor characteristic of the bouquet of wine; specifically used, formerly, to designate an acid (oenanthic acid) whose ethereal salts were supposed to occasion the peculiar bouquet, or aroma, of old wine. Cf. oenanthylic. oenanthic acid, oenanthic acid (Chem.), an acid (C6H13.CO.OH) obtained from oenanthic ether by the action of alkalies; called also n-heptanoic acid, 1-heptanecarboxylic acid, enanthic acid, enanthylic acid and oenanthylic acid. It has the odor of sour sweat. It has the CAS registry number 111-14-8.
oenanthic ether, an ethereal substance (not to be confused with the bouquet, or aroma, of wine) found in wine lees, and consisting of a complex mixture of the ethereal salts of several of the higher acids of the acetic acid series. It has an ethereal odor, and it used in flavoring artificial wines and liquors. Called also oil of wine. See Essential oil, under Essential.
