3 Different Aromas Of Wine And How To Identify Them

Many people think that there are no types of natural aromas in wine, but you’d be surprised. Wine makers can use a variety of things to enhance the aroma of the wines they make, including flowers, fruits, and spices. 

The aromas of a wine can be further broken down into two groups: the primary aromas and the secondary aromas. While the primary aromas are the ones that are the most important, they are also the ones that produce the best results when it comes to wine making. For example, the Cabernet Sauvignon wine—it has black currant, mint, and violet flavors.

The other groups of aromas, however, can help in giving your wine the smell that it needs, without giving it any added flavor.

What Is Wine Aroma?

Wines, like food, have their particular smells, which can vary based upon the variety, age, country of origin, and production process. In fact, aromas are the result of reactions that happen when chemicals from the skins of the grapes or those of some additional fruits enter the wine during fermentation. The resulting reaction gives off a bouquet that is known as aroma.

There can be over 100 aromas in wines, which are divided into categories, such as fruity, herbal, and flower aromas.

How To Identify Wine Aromas

One method for identifying wine aromas can be as simple as look, smell, and taste!

• Look – Take a look at the wine’s color, opacity, and viscosity. You can get a lot of clues and information just by looking at it, but follow up with the next step.
• Smell– Define what you smell. Are there fruity, herbal, or spicy aromas?  How intense are these aromas?
• Taste – Take a slight sip of the wine and think about the flavors you’re experiencing, as well as the acidity or sweetness.

Another interesting method is using a wine aroma wheel. This might sound new and unfamiliar to a lot of people, probably including you, so a question like, “How do I use a wine aroma wheel?” might pop up.

Wine aroma wheel, or wine wheel for short, is an artistic representation of the various aromas and flavors that wines have. It is typically displayed as a pie chart, color-coded with different shades and flavors, and displayed in a manner that represents the primary types of aromas. 

It gives a basic description as to how the different elements work within the wine aroma wheel, so that people can gain a better understanding of the different nuances and strengths of the various smells that can be associated with different types of wine. Once these elements are described, it will become easier for any wine lover to accurately discern what each element represents.

The wheel itself is made up of three basic circles:

• The first circle – It is made up of the primary aromas you can taste in wine. Those include fruity, floral, spicy =, and earthy notes. It’s also divided into the different types of wine, meaning red or white, aged wine, or wine that matured in an oak-barrel. There’s also a section showing the wine faults.
• The second circle – This consists of subsections of the primary aromas, thus them being secondary aroma, which come from the fermentation process.
• The third circle – This shows an even deeper sectioning of the aromas, giving examples from nuts, fruits, spices, etc.

This wheel is a very useful companion at any wine tasting session. In an average wine sampling process, you need to first identify what specific aroma family is present in the wine (flowers, fruits, etc.) Next, you can look up that particular wine by its type (dry, sweet, fruity, etc.). Then, go to the bottom of the wheel, and mark the specific smell that you’re trying to find. 

Different Types Of Wine Aromas

As mentioned above, wine aromas can generally be divided into three categories. These are::

1. Fruity Aroma

This aroma is a must-have for anyone who is looking forward to drinking wine that has the sweetness and the tangy taste that they love. When you think of the fruity aromas of wine, then you can think of the flavors like:

• Apricot – It’s associated with white wines from warmer climates, the most popular one being Muscat.
• Blackcurrant or blackberry – This can be found in rich red wines, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
• Apple (red and green) – This aroma is often found in white grape wines, like Pinot Gris. The green apple aroma can be found in dry white wines that are barrel-aged.
• Grapefruit – As part of the citrus aroma family, it can be found in Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and even for making Sangria.

2. Herbal Aroma

Other aromas that you will be able to smell in the wine include nuts, mints, and smoke. There are also several wines out there that are labeled as ‘herbal.’

• Smoke – This aroma comes about during the fermentation process because the wine is in contact with the oak.
• Mint – This spiced sensation can be found in Cabernet Sauvignons, but it’s never a first place aroma.
• Almond – This is most commonly found in Champagnes.
• Cardamom – It refers to a spice from the ginger family that gives a sweet and spicy aroma in wines such as Pinot Noir.
• Cinnamon – This is a sweet spice that can be found in oak-aged red wines.

3. Flower Aroma

Another common type of aroma that you’ll find in wine is floral. This includes:

• Rose – This is an exquisite aroma found in many red wines.
• Lavender – Similar to rose, it’s common in red wines, like Syrah.
• Violet – This is mostly found in red wines, such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

As mentioned above, different types of wine possess different aromas. This makes it easy for people to enjoy wine and determine what types they prefer. Good thing your tongue is mostly capable to pick the primary aromas of the wine.

With the holidays approaching soon, it’s a great idea to organize a wine tasting party with some appetizers that complement with your wine choices, and try the wine aroma wheel for guaranteed fun.