Quick answer: To smell wine, swirl the glass, then take a few short sniffs with your nose just inside the rim. Look for aromas in order: fruit first, then flowers, then oak (vanilla, toast, spice), then earth or herbs. Naming even one aroma per wine trains your nose fast.
How do you smell wine properly?
Swirl for a few seconds to release aromas. Tilt the glass, put your nose in, and take two or three short sniffs instead of one long one. Breathe through your mouth for a moment, then sniff again. New aromas often appear as the wine warms and opens.
Fruit aromas: what to look for first
Fruit is the easiest place to start. In whites, think citrus, green apple, pear, peach or tropical fruit. In reds, think red fruit (cherry, raspberry) or dark fruit (plum, blackberry). Riper fruit points to a warm growing season. Tart fruit points to a cooler one.
Floral aromas
Flowers add lift, especially in aromatic whites. Viognier often smells like honeysuckle, and Riesling can smell almost perfumed. Some lighter reds, like Pinot Noir, show violet or rose.
Oak aromas
Vanilla, toast, caramel, baking spice and coconut come from barrels, not grapes. Compare Landon's classic Chardonnay with the oak-aged Chardonnay Reserve and the difference is easy to smell.
Earth, herb and spice aromas
Leather, tobacco, herbs, pepper and earth add depth. Tempranillo is a good example, often showing tobacco, leather and herbs beside its cherry and plum.
How do you get better at identifying aromas?
Smell everyday things on purpose: fruit, spices, coffee, cut grass. Then compare two wines side by side. A tasting flight at any Landon Winery tasting room is a quick way to practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should you swirl wine before smelling it?
Swirling adds air and releases aroma compounds so they reach your nose.
What is the difference between aroma and bouquet?
Aroma usually means smells from the grape. Bouquet means smells from winemaking and aging.
Is there a wrong answer when describing wine aromas?
No. Describe what it reminds you of in your own words.
Adapted from Bob Landon's column in HelloNation.