To simplify fragrance classification, Michael Edwards, a perfume industry consultant created the Fragrance Wheel in late 1983.
The Fragrance Wheel identifiers four standard families namely Floral, Oriental, Woody and Fresh. These are in turn divided into three sub-groups and arranged in a circle, each group being related to the next.
The exception to this rule is the Fougere family which stands in the center of the Fragrance Wheel. It is the universal fragrance family as it contains elements from many of the other families. With the publication of Fragrances of the World 2008, two new sub-groups have been added to the wheel, the Fruity and Woods.
Sub-groups of the Fragrance Wheel
Floral - floral + fresh notes. Main notes include fresh-cut flowers.Soft Floral - floral notes. Main notes include aldehydes and powdery notes.
Floral Oriental - floral + oriental notes. Main notes include orange blossom and sweet spices.
Soft Oriental - oriental + floral notes. Main notes include incense and amber.
Oriental - oriental notes. Main notes include resins and vanilla.
Woody oriental - oriental + woody notes. Main notes include sandalwood and patchouli.
Woods - main notes include aromatic woods and ventiver.
Mossy Woods - woody oriental notes. Main notes include oakmoss and amber.
Dry Woods - woody notes. Main notes include dry woods and leather.
Citrus - woody + fresh notes. Main notes include bergamot and citrus oil.
Fruity - fruity notes. Main notes include green apple, melon, and strawberry.
Green - fresh notes. Main notes include galbanum and green notes.
Water - fresh + floral notes. Main notes include marine and aquatic notes.
Fougere - scent includes element from different families: the freshness from citrus family, floral notes of lavender, the spicy-sweetness of a floral oriental, the ambery depth of an oriental and the mossy woods warmth of sandalwood and oakmoss. The name, meaning "fern-like", is one of the main families into which modern perfumes are classified. Its name is derived from the perfume Fougere Royale for Houbigant.
Source: wikipedia