Aromas & Flavors In Wine, How To Find & Define Them

Have you ever shared a glass of wine with someone that had the ability to describe the aromas and flavors you’re sensing, when you had no idea until they suggested it? Now here’s the key, were you able to respond saying, “hey…I do sense that”? If you’ve ever wished you could do that, there is hope! I’m here to tell you that YOU CAN! Are you able to recognize the taste of apple, pineapple, lemon, melon, or pear? How about black cherry, blackberry, raspberry, plum, cinnamon, or chocolate? Of course you can! And if you can’t, then you should taste and smell these things until you can. The next time you’re in a supermarket, go through the produce section and pick up different fruits and vegetables and SMELL THEM! Start smelling everything – wood, tree bark, aluminum, etc. It won’t cost you anything, and you’ll familiarize yourself with a whole new world of aromas. Now here’s the trick, the next time you’re having a glass of wine, don’t leave your senses in the dark to randomly guess the aromas or flavors that might be present – unless that works for you. Consider what you’re drinking, along with characteristics that are common in it, and specifically ask yourself if you can taste them. For example, if you’re enjoying a dark red wine, be specific and intentionally think to yourself, “do I taste blackberry, raisin, blueberry, cocoa, spice, cracked pepper, tobacco, or oak?” Or if you’re having a white wine, specifically think, “do I taste tropical fruit, citrus, pineapple, apple, lemon, melon, or pear?” Is the fruit ripe or green? Do you detect minerality, grass, or oak?

As you become more experienced, you can use this same technique to define a glass of wine in a blind taste setting. Be positive and intentional, don’t give up, and never say “I can’t”! I’ve heard so many people say, “my nose just isn’t as sensitive as yours”…or “I’ve never been good at breaking down a wine”. Interestingly enough, those same people will ask, “what am I supposed to taste here”, have you read the back of the bottle to them, and then say, “I get that!”. Stop letting other people dictate taste to you. It’s subjective and should not be the result of suggestive manipulation, although the latter can be fun to try now and then.