How to Identify and Understand Wine Notes

Most of us have witnessed a wine tasting, either in person or on screen. The process begins with holding the glass by its stem, tilting it toward the light to observe its color and viscosity. Next, the glass is swirled, bringing it close to the nose for a deep inhale to capture the aroma. A sip is taken, swished around the mouth, and mentally analyzed. After a moment of reflection, the wine is spat out—a sign not of poor quality, but of the taster's effort to discern the wine's unique notes (flavor and scent).

Wine's diverse characteristics stem from its production process. Factors like geography, soil composition, and climate influence its taste and aroma, collectively referred to as terroir. While the wine community debates the precise definition of terroir, it generally encompasses the distinct qualities imparted by the wine's origin and production methods [sources: Jono, Grape Radio].

Terroir significantly shapes a wine's character and its notes. The soil type in a region determines which grape varieties thrive there. Sunlight exposure influences grape growth and ripening timelines. Additionally, the fermentation barrel, such as oak, can impart distinct aromas (like an oaky scent) to the wine [source: Learn Vino].

Given the numerous influencing factors, it's no wonder wine can be intricate, featuring a wide array of notes. Mastering the art of distinguishing these nuances requires practice and knowledge. This article will guide you on using scent and taste to identify wine notes and introduce tools to aid in this learning process. By the end, you'll better understand the steps a wine taster takes during a tasting session.

On the next page, discover a tool designed to assist beginners in identifying wine notes.

The Wine Aroma Wheel

For newcomers to wine, identifying the diverse scents of various wine types can be challenging. Describing scents becomes easier when comparing them to familiar aromas. This inspired Ann C. Noble and her colleagues at the University of California at Davis to develop the Wine Aroma Wheel [source: Essman]. This three-tiered tool helps users articulate the scents they detect in wine by providing descriptive terms for analogy-making. While not exhaustive, it includes many widely recognized terms for wine notes.

The wheel consists of three concentric circles, resembling a three-layered target. The innermost circle features broad categories like fruity, spicy, floral, microbiological, sherry, pungent, chemical, earthy, woody, caramel, nutty, and herbaceous or vegetative [source: Ashland Wineries]. As you move outward, the terms become more specific. The second ring refines these general categories, while the outermost ring provides highly detailed descriptors such as lemon, pineapple, licorice, sweaty, mousy, horsey, sulfur dioxide, natural gas, bacon, oak, asparagus, hay/straw, and tobacco. These neutral, descriptive terms help tasters identify and associate wine notes [source: Ashland Wineries, Noble].

Remember, these terms are analogies. Detecting a scent like hay doesn't mean it's an actual ingredient in the wine.

Now that you're familiar with the wine wheel, how do you apply it to identify characteristics in the wine you're drinking? Turn to the next page to learn how a wine's aroma or bouquet can deepen your understanding.

Detecting Wine Notes Via a Wine's Nose

One of the most effective methods to identify wine notes is through its aroma. A wine's nose refers to the scents it emits that are perceptible to the human sense of smell [source: Parker].

Experts widely agree that much of the pleasure and flavor of wine comes from its aroma [source: Prial]. However, for those unfamiliar with identifying specific notes, this process can be daunting.

Noble suggests beginners start with white wines, as they are generally easier to analyze. A helpful approach is to compare a standard wine with common elements associated with its typical aromas.

Collect what Noble calls the standards—common foods, spices, or elements often used to describe wine notes. For white wines, these might include canned asparagus brine, bell peppers, vanilla extract, butter extract, a clove, fresh orange and grapefruit juice, peach or apricot juice, and pineapple. Place each sample in a separate wine glass or small dish and cover them. (For red wines, standards could include asparagus, bell pepper, vanilla, butter extract, clove, soy sauce, berries, old strawberry jam, artificial fruit flavoring, and black pepper.)

Pour yourself a glass of an affordable wine, filling it one-third to halfway. Smell the wine, then smell one of the standards. Try to detect the scents in the wine. This exercise will help you learn to identify aromas independently [source: Noble].

To achieve the best results, swirl the wine in your glass before taking a sniff. This action helps release the wine's aromas more effectively [source: Learn Vino, Kelley Cellars]. Having multiple wine varieties on hand can also aid in comparing and distinguishing their unique characteristics.

Now that we've explored aroma, let's delve into the aspect of taste.

Detecting Wine Notes through Taste

While smelling wine is the most effective way to detect its notes, tasting is equally important. After all, wine is meant to be enjoyed. Although much of our perception of taste comes from smell, you can discern specific qualities like sweetness, sourness, or bitterness through tasting [source: Learn Vino]. No matter how skilled you become at identifying notes and understanding wine's complexities, remember that its ultimate purpose is to be savored and enjoyed.

To effectively identify a wine's characteristics, mastering the proper tasting technique is essential. It goes beyond simply sipping and swallowing. This stage involves engaging with the wine—first by detecting its aroma or bouquet, then by exploring its texture and flavors [source: Kelley Cellars].

Many recommend starting with a small sip to awaken your senses and taste buds. Typically, you would then take a larger sip, holding it in your mouth for five to 15 seconds or longer. During this time, inhale some air and swirl the wine around your mouth, allowing it to coat every surface. Focus on the sensations and flavors. Some wines may leave your mouth feeling dry, while others might taste sweet or bitter immediately. These qualities are easily recognizable and can guide you to specific areas on the aroma wheel [sources: Learn Vino, Kelley Cellars, Schneider].

You can apply the same method Noble suggests (as explained earlier) to identify taste notes. Stick to smelling the standards, as tasting them directly might overpower your palate. Smell the standards, then taste the wine, noting any similarities. Comparing wines of the same variety, like two different chardonnays, can also help you distinguish specific notes and unique characteristics.

Don't cork the bottle just yet! Even after swallowing, your wine-tasting journey isn't over. There are additional steps to uncover more wine notes. Turn to the next page to discover what they are.

The Finish Line: Wine Aftertaste

If you haven't yet swallowed or spit out the wine, now is the time. By this point, you've likely identified many of the wine's notes through smell and taste. However, there's still more to learn even after the wine has left your mouth. Immediately after swallowing or spitting, take a deep breath through your nose and mouth. Pay attention to any lingering flavors or sensations. A minimal aftertaste or lack of lingering sensation often indicates a lower-quality wine [source: Parker].

High-quality wines are known for their long-lasting aftertastes. In fact, the longer the aftertaste, the better. A prolonged finish provides another opportunity to analyze the wine's characteristics. Does it leave a bitter or sweet sensation? Are there new scents or flavors that weren't apparent initially? As long as the taste remains, study its texture and aroma, and connect these qualities to the descriptive terms on the aroma wheel.