How to Taste Wine: Step 2 – Smell

You’ve heard the phrase ‘Take time to smell the roses…’ well the same goes for your wine! To get a good impression of your wine’s aroma take a quick whiff to gain a first impression. Then gently swirl your glass to enhance the wine’s natural aromas.

Poke your nose in. Really! Stick your nose deep into the glass and inhale through your nose. Gently swirl the wine to let the aromas mix and mingle, and sniff again. Aromas of our favorite fruits, flowers or foods are perceived by our nose not our tongue. Smelling is 80% of the tasting process, so don’t short change this step. Think of your nose as your best asset in the tasting process.

Laurie Forster, The Wine Coach, is a wine speaker who strives to bring wine education, wine tasting, and wine tutorials to the masses. Videos and interviews with Laurie address questions such as how to taste wine, how to drink wine, how to pick wine, how to choose wine for occasions, and how to chill wine. Wine-related topics such as which wine glass to use, which wine is good for your health, what wines to pair with cheese, chocolate, and other foods, and other wine education videos are also provided. Consider The Wine Coach your virtual sommelier, educating you and helping you go from wine tasting 101 to wine aficionado.