All about that nose

What’s the deal with wine and smell? Check out these videos for the full lowdown.

What’s the deal with 'primary' aromas?

Ever heard someone drop ‘primary aromas of…’ into a conversation, and nodded along like you knew what they were on about? You’re not alone.

It’s time for Wine School with Libby, as City AM columnist Libby Brodie explains what the heck it actually means.

Here’s a hint: Secondary aromas = winemaking stuff (like oak). Tertiary aromas = age (think leather or liquorice).

"Are we drinking wine or planning brunch!?"

Wine tasting notes can sound a bit mad… but Will & Simon are here to break down 3 common wine aromas so you actually know what’s going on in your glass.

  • Can my genes affect what I smell?

    Amazingly, yes! Some people can’t detect certain aromas (like black pepper or coriander) at all. It’s not you, it’s your DNA. But don’t worry, you’re still a great smeller to us.

  • Why do we sniff wine in restaurants?

    To check if it’s faulty – not to look fancy. If it smells like wet cardboard, don’t grin and bear it. Send it back and order something more delicious.

  • How do wine glasses help us sniff wines?

    A wine glass is basically a sort of smell-o-scope. The big bowl amplifies aromas and the narrow rim funnels them straight to your nose. Nifty. Or should that be Sniff-ty?

Your nose is a lot smarter than you think.

We hit the streets with one mission: get people to sniff wine and say the first thing that pops into their head 🍷👃 The result? Your nose is a lot smarter than you think.

If you're just swirling for the Instagram shot... you might be missing the point.

Will and Simon, our Wine Advisors are back to bust some wine myths. Specifically… sniffing myths 👃

  • How do I get more aromas from my wine?

    Let it breathe! Swirling aerates a wine releasing all the lovely aroma particles into the air. Bonus tip – if it’s a red, decanting will also get things going in the right (smelly) direction.

  • Why can some people smell things that I can’t?

    They’ve just practiced more. It’s like anything – the more you sniff, the better you get at picking out certain notes. So just keep sniffing. Just keep sniffing…

  • What causes that farmyard smell in wine?

    Brettanomyces (or Bret to his mates). It’s a wild yeast that some people love and others avoid like the plague. Think of it as the *famous yeast-based spread beginning with M* of the wine world.

Did you know your nozzle is the real MVP?

If you’re into your science… here’s a fun one. Your scent receptors (aka olfactory receptors) can distinguish at least 1 trillion different smells. Impressive, right? Well, dogs have about 300 million of them… so technically, your pup might be better at sniffing out a great wine than you. 🐶

"That sounds like Black Forest gateau…"

Wine scent or fancy perfume aroma? Can you guess which is which before Simon does? 👃🍷 #OnTheNose #wine101

  • Can a wine really smell like petrol?

    Oh yes. Especially aged Rieslings. It’s down to a compound called TDN – sciencey name, surprisingly enticing. It may sound a bit weird. But to many, it’s weirdly wonderful.

  • What does ‘forest floor’ actually mean?

    It’s wine speak for earthy, mushroomy vibes. If it smells like damp leaves and truffles, you’re not going mad – you’re probably just drinking a nice old Pinot.

  • What does oak do to a wine’s smell?

    Think of it as wine seasoning. In reds, oak gives notes of coffee, chocolate, spice and smoke. Whites pick up lovely hints of toast and vanilla. And a little bit of oak can go a long way.

Weird wine smells you won't believe are real

From 'Farmyard' to 'match strike', some wines have seriously weird smells… but don’t knock ‘em ‘til you sniff ‘em...

"This wine smells like.... err wine?"

POV. You've ordered a bottle of wine at a restaurant and the waiter pours you a glass to try. What do you do next?

  • Do different grapes have signature smells?

    Absolutely. Sauvignon Blanc? Gooseberry and grass. Shiraz? Black pepper and smoke. Pinot Noir? Strawberries and forest floor. Every wine has its own scented calling card.

  • Why do some wines smell like bonfires or bacon?

    Normally, it’s oak ageing. But it could also be from smoke taint, or just a particularly meaty Syrah. Can be delicious for some, distracting for others. Tale as old as wine.

  • Why do older wines smell less fruity?

    It’s just time. Most young wines are all about ripe fruit aromas. But over the years, fresh berries turn to raisins. Citrus becomes marmalade. Dark fruit goes to leather. It’s one of the reasons wine is magical.

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