Being able to identify aromas in wine is a skill that can transform your entire tasting experience – and the good news is, it can be trained.
Just like any other sense, your nose gets better with practice. Here are some simple yet powerful ways to improve your sense of smell and become more confident when picking up scents in wine.
1. Start in the kitchen
Spices, fruits, herbs and vegetables are excellent tools. Take time to smell fresh ingredients while cooking. Try to describe the scents: is it citrusy, floral, earthy, or herbal?
2. Compare similar scents
Place two (or more) ingredients side by side – for example, lemon and lime – and practice distinguishing between them. This sharpens your scent memory and helps you notice subtle differences.
3. Use an aroma wheel
A wine aroma wheel breaks down common wine scents into categories like fruit, spice, oak, and minerality. Use it as a reference while smelling wine to connect what you sense with words.
4. Try blind tasting
Have someone pour wine without showing you the label. Try identifying the aromas before taking a sip – it trains both your nose and your focus.
5. Take notes
Writing down what you smell strengthens your memory and helps you build a personal vocabulary around scents.
