Tips for smelling and tasting wine

First, smell the wine without swirling the glass in order to appreciate the intensity of its aromas and bouquet.

Then swirl the glass. Agitating the wine vaporizes it and results in the intensification of its scents.

Stick your nose right into the bowl and inhale.

There's no consensus on the proper sniffing technique. Some advocate two or three quick inhalations. Others prefer one deep, sharp sniff. The goal is to draw the scents deep into the nose where sensations are registered and deciphered. With practice, and keen attention, you'll learn how to maximize your perception.

TASTING TIPS

When tasting wine, remember the following rules of a suitable tasting environment:

- Avoid any kind of smoke in the room or disturbing smells such as fresh paint.

- Do not taste in a kitchen as the floating cooking oil in the air will block your nose buds.

- Bear in mind that wearing perfume and even using scented hand-soap can have a detrimental effect on your perception.

- When you choose your glasses, make sure to check that they don't have any smell. Glasses stored in old cardboards or in an old cupboard, dirty and wet linen used to wipe your glasses may leave a smell similar to cork taint.

A smell of cleaning agent may be noticeable if your glasses have not been rinsed properly. In all cases, you simply need to rinse your glasses with water.

- Of course, if you a have a cold with a blocked nose, try to schedule the tasting for another time. A person with a blocked nose will not be able to tell the difference between tea and coffee while drinking.

- Anxiety and stress can change the way you taste things. So for full appreciation, relax and enjoy.

Have Fun !