The nose knows: Why do people swirl and sniff their wine? (You should too!)
If you’ve ever seen someone with their nose buried so far in a glass of wine that it appears they’re trying to snort it, you might dismiss the action as a pompous gesture. Especially if they then start prattling about the aromas of wet dirt, leather and raw meat.
Wine is a multi-sensory experience and if you don’t sniff before you sip, you may miss out. That’s because what we describe as flavor is made up of about 75 percent smell and 25 percent taste. One frequently quoted study found we can distinguish as many as 1 trillion odors and even if that claim is exaggerated, there’s no doubt our noses are sensitive.
But, wait, you think as you take a whiff of your own glass, I smell wine.
Don’t sweat it. The ability to smell and taste wine well is a learned skill. Practice is key and, really, what better homework can you think of than drinking your favorite Malbec or Riesling? It sure beats algebra.
Step 1: Use an actual wine glass
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of wine tasting, let’s talk about glassware. If you’re guzzling from a coffee mug or paper cup, we won’t judge. But a proper wine glass makes a difference. Ideally, it should have a wide bowl and a thin, tapered rim. You can even buy different shapes of glasses made to enhance the flavors in specific wines. Generally speaking, red wine glasses have bigger bowls than those for white wine but both are designed to collect and deliver fragrances to your nostrils.
Don’t fill the glass too full; leave some room for the aromas to mingle with the air and to avoid sloshing your wine around when you swirl. A good rule is to fill your glass about a third of the way to the top.
Step 2: Inhale before you swirl
Put your nose in the glass and alternate between short sniffs and deep breaths. Think about what aromas come to mind.
Step 3: Swirl and smell again
Swirling instills more oxygen in the wine, allowing the liquid to breathe and release its bouquet. This simple process causes alcohol to evaporate and activates esters, which are fragrant compounds formed by the reaction between alcohol and acids.
Hold the glass by the stem and draw little circles for about four to five seconds. Inhale and concentrate on what you smell.
Step 4: Identify the aromas
Here’s a word of comfort: This isn’t a test. Whatever you do (or don’t) smell is just fine and you shouldn’t worry whether you detect the same scents as your friend.
Still, it can be nice to have a little guidance. So here’s a primer.
Wine aromas can be lumped into three categories:
- Primary aromas that come from the grape. These include fruity and floral notes.
- Secondary aromas as a result of winemaking. These arise from yeast used during fermentation and from sur lie aging, a process that gives white wine a toasty quality.
- Tertiary aromas that are created during bottle or oak aging. They include tobacco, soy and baking spices. The use of oak often infuses wine with vanilla.
Wine geek alert: Experts will remind you that the term “wine aroma” is derived from the grape variety (think primary aromas), while “bouquet” comes from the winemaking process (those secondary and tertiary aromas). But only a snob will ding you if you use them interchangeably.
Certain aromas can be attributed to each wine varietal. For example, Sauvignon Blanc often shows aromas of bell pepper, citrus and tropical notes. You may also smell cat pee, which is actually a sign of a high-quality Sauvignon Blanc. Choose from our selection of Sauvignon Blancs from Napa Valley, New Zealand and Chile.
Riesling is associated with aromas of citrus, apricot and sometimes gasoline. Again, not all aromas seem desirable but the right stink can indicate a great bottle. Try 2017 The Seeker Riesling from Mosel, Germany, for $13 a bottle or $10 for Platinum members.
Chardonnay is an example of a wine in which the aromas are primarily from secondary and tertiary aging. Discover apple, butter, nuts and spices. Select one of our Chardonnays by the bottle or order a whole case.
Cabernet Sauvignon frequently exhibits black cherry, plum, earthiness, smoke, leather, graphite and spice. We offer a variety of Cabs to please your palate.
Merlot is known for coffee, cigar box, truffle, tea leaves, currant, black cherry, violet and caramel. Pick up 2016 Clos Pegase Merlot Mitsukos Vineyard from Napa for just $23 a bottle or $20 for Platinum members.
It can be helpful to have a wine aroma wheel on hand to pinpoint terms most often encountered. The wheel breaks down aromas starting with broad categories down to specific scents and can be purchased online.
Step 5: Taste the wine (finally!)
At last, the moment you’ve been waiting for. Swoosh the wine around in your mouth before you swallow or spit. As you do so, aromas will travel up the inside of your mouth to your nasal passage.
Our tongues can only taste five primary sensations: salty, sour, sweet, bitter and umami (a Japanese term that translates to “pleasant, savory taste”). The flavors like strawberry and prune that think you “taste” in wine are actually those you “smell.”
So the next time you have a glass of wine in your hand, sniff, swirl, sip and smell the deliciousness.