Retronasal olfaction is a technique used during wine tasting. It helps bring out a wine’s aromas and understand its composition. So, with this method, you’ll be able to carry out a finer aromatic analysis of the wine you’re tasting. That way, you’ll be able to fully enjoy your wine and all its aromas!
What is retronasal olfaction?
Retronasal olfaction is the mechanism through which you can bring out the aromatic characteristics of the wine you have in your mouth. This mechanism is also called the retronasal pathway, or retronasal olfaction. During a wine tasting, retronasal olfaction lets you confirm the aromas you may have perceived during your first analysis. You can also detect other aromas or fragrances at this point. With this method, the aromas follow a path to the back of the palate. They then reach the olfactory epithelium located in the nasal cavities, also called the olfactory bulb. This is an area specialised in detecting smells. So this method lets you better analyse the aromatic aspect of the wine you’re tasting. Finally, this method really lets you capture a wine’s smells. Indeed, many people think they sense smells more with the nose, but that’s false. With retronasal olfaction, the fragrances are multiplied, and so are your sensations!
Retronasal olfaction: how to do it?
With the wine in your mouth, draw in a little air. Then release the air through your nose. That way, you should sense all the wine’s aromas greatly intensified. Don’t worry if you make a bit of noise at this point: it’s completely normal. No one will hold it against you for wanting to fully enjoy the wine you’re tasting. Finally, once you’ve done this, you’ll be able to identify the aromas present in the wine. For this, you can rely on this article on wine tasting, in which you’ll find all the wine’s aromas and learn a little more about how to recognise them! Don’t forget, during a wine tasting, you can spit out the wine: it won’t endanger your retronasal olfaction.
Are you about to try retronasal olfaction during a tasting? Take the chance to fill in a tasting sheet based on what you discover! And good news, you can receive one for free.
