Have you ever tried to describe the taste of a steak? Or tried to compare it with the taste of a pork chop? If not, try it. And don’t use subjective words like “good” or “excellent.” Choose concrete nouns and adjectives. Not easy, is it?

That’s why wine tasters and writers use comparative words to describe the wines for you. They find them “floral” or “fruity” or “earthy.” Often they get very specific: “grassy,” “citric,” or “moldy.”

In our video you’ll see examples of “Aroma Wheels” that show you how to look for general aromatic categories and then for more specific aromas within those categories. Some general categories are largely negative: chemical; pungent; oxidized; others are positive: nutty; spicy; woody.

The aroma is possibly the most important influence on your reaction to a wine, as your nose picks up the scent before your palate impacts the wine. An aroma wheel can provide valuable hints in what to look for and how to find the words for describing the wine. You can find such wheels at most wineries and at many retail stores.