How to Smell Wine Correctly: Aromas for Beginners
Why Smelling Wine Is the Real Secret to Enjoying Bordeaux
Travellers visiting Bordeaux quickly realise something unexpected: while most people think wine tasting is about flavour, professionals know that 90% of what you “taste” actually comes from smell. The aromas rising from the glass tell the story of the grape, the soil, the climate, the ageing process, and even the decisions made by the winemaker.
Yet smelling wine is not something people are naturally taught. Many visitors hesitate, swirl awkwardly, or sniff too quickly, missing the extraordinary layers hidden in a glass of Bordeaux.
This guide is written for beginners, travellers, and anyone who wants to understand how to smell wine correctly — not in a technical or intimidating way, but in a practical, sensory-focused manner that brings wine to life.
The Role of Aromas in Wine
Aroma vs Flavour: The Key Difference
Most people confuse flavour with smell, but the two are linked:
- Aromas are detected by your nose
- Flavours are detected by your tongue (sweet, sour, bitter, salty, umami)
- Taste + aroma = full flavour
This explains why, when you have a cold, wine tastes flat — because your nose isn’t participating.
The Three Families of Wine Aromas
Understanding these helps you recognise what you’re smelling.
Primary Aromas
From the grape itself:
- Fruit
- Floral notes
- Herbs
- Spice
- Mineral tones
Secondary Aromas
From fermentation:
- Yeast
- Cream
- Brioche
- Butter
- Fresh bread dough
Tertiary Aromas
From ageing:
- Leather
- Tobacco
- Earth
- Truffle
- Cedar
- Forest floor
Bordeaux, known for complex, layered wines, often exhibits aromas from all three families — especially in aged bottles.
The Science Behind Smelling Wine
Why Swirling Matters
Swirling wine:
- Releases aromatic compounds
- Exposes wine to oxygen
- Helps alcohol evaporate slightly, freeing subtle scents
Why Glass Shape Matters
A proper wine glass:
- Narrows at the top to trap aromas
- Allows swirling without spilling
- Directs aromas toward your nose
How Your Nose Detects Aromas
Aroma molecules travel up the nasal passage to the olfactory bulb, where your brain identifies scents. The more you practice, the stronger and more intuitive this connection becomes.
Step-by-Step: How to Smell Wine Correctly
Let’s break it down into simple stages travellers can follow at wine tastings.
1. Look Before You Smell
The appearance hints at what’s coming:
- Colour depth
- Clarity
- Viscosity (legs on the glass)
- Hue (can indicate age or grape variety)
A deep purple colour suggests youthful Merlot or Cabernet. Garnet edges indicate ageing.
2. Smell Without Swirling
Hold the glass still and take a gentle sniff.
This first impression reveals:
- Fresh fruit
- Floral notes
- Initial intensity
- Alcohol level
It’s your “first read” before the wine opens up.
3. Swirl Gently
A slow, controlled swirl unlocks deeper layers. Wine adheres to the sides of the glass, increasing its surface area and releasing aromatic compounds.
4. Smell Again — This Time More Deeply
Bring your nose slightly into the glass and inhale slowly.
This is where you detect:
- Primary aromas (fruit, flowers, herbs)
- Secondary aromas (from fermentation)
- Structure clues (freshness, intensity, alcohol balance)
This second sniff reveals complexity, richness, and depth.
5. Identify Aromas by Category (Not by Specific Fruit)
Beginners often get stuck trying to name exact fruits — blackcurrant? blackberry? plum?
Instead, think in categories:
- Red fruit
- Black fruit
- Dark fruit
- Citrus
- Floral
- Herbal
- Spicy
- Earthy
Once you can recognise categories, the specifics come naturally with practice.
6. Smell With Your Mouth Slightly Open
This allows air to circulate more freely through the nasal passages, helping you detect subtler scents.
7. Smell Again After a Sip
Wine aromas evolve once oxygen enters your mouth.
You may smell:
- More fruit
- More oak
- More earth
- New spices
Wine is alive — its aromas shift with every minute in the glass.
Understanding Aromas by Grape Variety
Travellers exploring Bordeaux benefit from associating aromas with specific local grapes.
Merlot Aromas
Primary:
- Black cherry
- Plum
- Raspberry
Secondary:
- Chocolate
- Coffee
- Spice
Tertiary:
- Truffle
- Cedar
- Leather
Cabernet Sauvignon Aromas
Primary:
- Blackcurrant
- Blackberry
- Mint
- Violet
Secondary:
- Cedar
- Tobacco
Tertiary:
- Leather
- Graphite
- Forest floor
Cabernet Franc Aromas
Primary:
- Red cherry
- Raspberry
- Herbs
- Pepper
Secondary:
- Floral notes
Tertiary:
- Dried leaf
- Earth
Understanding these families of aromas helps travellers identify wines more intuitively during tastings.
Why Bordeaux Wines Are Especially Aromatic
Bordeaux wines are known for their complex aromatic profiles, thanks to:
Blending
Bordeaux blends combine multiple grapes, adding layers of:
- Fruit
- Spice
- Herbal notes
- Floral tones
Terroir Diversity
Clay, limestone, gravel, and sand all influence aromatic expression.
Barrel Ageing
French oak adds:
- Vanilla
- Toasted notes
- Spice
Bottle Ageing
Older wines develop:
- Leather
- Tobacco
- Truffle
- Earth
Travellers often appreciate how these aromas evolve with each sip.
How to Improve Your Ability to Smell Wine
Practice with Everyday Scents
Start recognising aromas in daily life:
- Fruits in markets
- Fresh herbs
- Spices in a kitchen
- Coffee beans
- Fresh wood
This builds your aroma memory.
Smell Multiple Wines Side-by-Side
Comparing wines is one of the best ways to train your nose.
Smell Slowly, Not Quickly
Rushing overwhelms your senses.
Take Breaks
Your nose gets tired — step away for a minute to reset.
Write Notes
Not formal tasting notes — just simple words like:
- Fresh
- Dark fruit
- Floral
- Smooth
- Earthy
This helps pattern recognition.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make (And How to Avoid Them)
Smelling Too Quickly
Wine requires time to reveal itself.
Holding the Glass Too Close
This can overwhelm your senses with alcohol.
Over-Swirling
Too much oxygen flattens the wine.
Trying to Be Too Precise
You don’t need to identify exact fruits — categories are enough.
Feeling Intimidated
Smelling wine is natural. Anyone can do it. There is no right or wrong.
The Emotional Side of Wine Aromas
Wine aromas often evoke memories:
- Childhood fruit
- Forest walks
- Old books
- Spices from travel
- Fresh pastries
These emotional connections are part of the pleasure of wine and explain why smelling is so important.
Tasting Bordeaux Wines with a Professional
The best way to learn is through guided tastings where experts help you identify aromas and understand structure. Travellers often describe these experiences as transformative — they suddenly understand wine on a deeper level.
These sessions are commonly included in Wine Tours Bordeaux region, where visitors compare young and old Bordeaux, Left Bank and Right Bank, and blends with different aromatic profiles.
Advanced Techniques for Curious Beginners
The “Short Sniff”
Quick, sharp inhalations detect volatile compounds.
The “Long Sniff”
Slow inhalation identifies deeper, richer aromas.
The “Layering Method”
Try to identify:
- Fruit
- Spice
- Floral
- Earth
- Oak
- Age
This step-by-step approach reveals the wine’s complexity.
Smelling at Different Temperatures
Cooler wine shows more freshness; warmer wine shows more richness.
Smell at both stages if possible.
Understanding Aromas as a Traveller in Bordeaux
When visiting Bordeaux’s vineyards and cellars, smelling wine is more than a technique — it is a way to connect with the land:
- Clay soils reveal earthy and plummy aromas
- Limestone creates floral and mineral notes
- Gravel produces black fruit and graphite scents
Smelling wine in the place where it’s made enhances the experience dramatically.
Guided experiences such as Saint Emilion wine tours often include vineyard walks where travellers smell grapes, soil, barrels, and maturing wines — the perfect way to deepen sensory understanding.
Final Reflections: Smelling Wine Is Learning Its Story
Learning how to smell wine correctly is not about perfection — it’s about slowing down, paying attention, and letting your senses guide you. Once you start noticing aromas with more clarity, you unlock a new level of appreciation for Bordeaux’s wines.
Whether you’re enjoying a glass in a medieval square in Saint-Émilion or tasting in a modern cellar in Margaux, aromas tell the story of the vineyard, the grape, and the people who shaped the wine.
And for travellers eager to deepen their understanding, guided tastings across Bordeaux offer a hands-on exploration of flavour, fragrance, and tradition.
