How to Tell the Difference Between Aroma and Bouquet in Wine Tasting

An important distinction to remember when wine tasting is the difference between the aroma and the bouquet of wine. An aroma is the smell directly from the grape. Bouquet is the smell created by the wine making process or fermentation. When you smell fruit in wine, that is the aroma. A yeasty, oak smell is the bouquet. Follow these tips to determine a wine's aroma or bouquet.

Things You'll Need

• Bottle of wine
• Corkscrew
• Wine glasses

Instructions

1. Pour a glass of wine.

2. Place the glass on a flat surface and swirl it around at least three times to let the wine open up.

3. Put your nose directly in the glass and take a sniff.

4. The first or primary smell should be fruity or floral. This is the aroma.

5. The next smell is the bouquet which will be yeasty, woody and buttery, have hints of oak.