Aroma

The aroma or smell of a wine is perhaps its main sensory property. The reviews that wine drinkers read in which long lists of terms are attributed to the wine are actually its aroma properties. Grapes are a very complex fruit that develop a wide range of aromatic compounds. They are influenced by the surrounding environment and often develop characteristics associated with other plants and features around them. Wine aromas are determined by the varietal of the grape, the interaction of microorganisms during fermentation, any imparted characteristics from barrels the wine is aged in, and any characteristics that develop as the wine ages. The aromas of wine are typically described in terms of fruit, spices, and other foods. Any distinct smelling feature is an acceptable descriptor; there are no right or wrong answers in describing wine.

The aroma a person smells when the wine is in the glass may differ slightly from the aroma they sense when drinking the wine. The aromas sensed when drinking wine are often called flavors, but they are actually smells sensed retronasally. Aromas can often linger in the mouth after consuming wine and are sensed as part of the aftertaste. Wines that do so are said to have a long finish, which is a term also related to flavor and textural sensations in wine.