Train your nose to taste better

Do you find that you "have no nose"? That all wines smell more or less the same? Don't worry, it's normal. Your sense of smell is like a muscle: it needs to be worked. And the good news is that there are simple, effective exercises to improve it on a daily basis. Ready to wake up your nose?

1. What exactly is the sense of smell?

Your nose picks up thousands of aromatic molecules, but your brain has to learn to recognize them. It's not a question of talent, but of olfactory memory. The more you smell, the more you learn. It's exactly like learning a language: at first you understand nothing, then the words become familiar.

2. Smell, without worrying

Start simply: get into the habit of smelling everything around you. Fruits, spices, coffee, herbs, flowers... When you're cooking, shopping or drinking tea, take two seconds to smell. And name what you smell. Saying aloud "here, it smells like strawberries" or "it reminds me of mint" helps your brain register the information.

3. Create a mini olfactory workout

You can even make yourself a homemade "scent box":

• Small jars (glass yoghurt type)
• Cotton soaked in spices, essential oils, jam, coffee, zest....
• You close them, mix them, and practice your blind guess.

You'll see, it's fun and it muscles your nose without stress. You can do it solo or with friends over a drink.

4. Breathe like a pro

When you smell a wine, do it in two steps:

• Calm nose : you smell gently, without moving the glass. You pick up the most volatile aromas (often floral or fruity).
• Active nose : you swirl the wine in the glass to release the aromas, and breathe a little harder.

Do this several times, without rushing. Above all, accept that you won't recognize everything. Even the pros have their doubts sometimes!

5. Note, compare, progress

Note what you smell, even if it's vague. Examples: "it reminds me of candy", "the smell of old wood", "a little lemony". Over time, you'll refine your words. Keep your notes, compare one wine to another. You'll see your progress.

Conclusion:

You don't need a great nose to get good at tasting. You need practice, curiosity and regularity. Take the time to smell every day, even for 5 minutes. Your nose will gradually awaken, and you'll see, wine will become more and more talkative.

👉 So, ready to muscle your nose? Open a jar of spices, close your eyes... and take a deep breath! 🍷👃