In this article, our experts outline the essential rules for smelling wine in a refined and effective way, fully respecting the wine etiquette. Take a few minutes to read it, so that every time you smell wine, you’ll be able to detect all its aromas and leave a great impression on your guests.

How to smell wine with elegance: the rules of wine etiquette

Here are 6 golden rules for smelling wine in the best way, with elegance and efficiency.

1. Bring the glass to your nose

Let’s start by clarifying a point that is often overlooked and a source of confusion: when smelling wine, it is the glass that should be brought to your nose, not the other way around.

The first reason is related to the elegance of the gesture: bringing the glass toward yourself allows you to maintain a composed and graceful posture, avoiding awkward movements. If, instead, your nose were to move toward the glass, the gesture would appear unnatural and far from refined.

But it’s not just a matter of style and elegance. Bringing the glass closer to your nose also allows you to perceive the aromas more accurately, easily adjusting the distance between the glass and your nose.

2. Smell twice, gradually bringing the glass closer

First, smell the wine with the glass still. This allows you to perceive the more volatile aromas, the ones the wine releases immediately.

Next, swirl the glass. As our regular readers know, swirling allows the wine to aerate and release even the more hidden and less immediate aromas. At this point, you can gradually bring the glass closer to your nose again and discover the new aromatic nuances that have developed. In short, smell the wine a second time after swirling.

Be careful not to overdo it: smelling the wine too many times in a row isn’t useful. Two well-executed passes are enough. Excessive repetition can lead to so-called olfactory fatigue, reducing the sensitivity of your nose and making the aromas less perceptible.

3. Don’t stick your nose in the glass, always leave some space

Your nose should never go inside the glass. Such a gesture is not only decidedly inelegant, but it also prevents you from fully appreciating the wine’s aromas. Getting too close saturates the sense of smell, making it harder to distinguish the various aromatic nuances.

There isn’t a fixed, universal distance, as it largely depends on the type of wine and its aromatic intensity. In any case, sommeliers follow some practical guidelines: when smelling for the first time, it’s best to hold the glass about 2–3 cm from your nose to capture the most volatile and delicate aromas. Afterwards, you can gradually bring it closer, up to about 1 cm from the nose, to detect the more hidden scents. This is the limit you should not exceed in order to maintain the elegance of the gesture and achieve a correct olfactory perception.

4. Inhale slowly, avoid strange noises

During the olfactory examination of wine, it is essential to inhale slowly and calmly. Avoid doing it too quickly or forcefully, both to prevent unpleasant noises and to avoid compromising your perception of the aromas. A slow inhalation allows you to gradually capture all the wine’s aromatic nuances and helps prevent overloading your sense of smell, which could otherwise “tire” and perceive the aromas inaccurately.

Moreover, a measured inhalation helps maintain an elegant and discreet gesture.

5. Maintain an elegant posture

The main tips for keeping an elegant posture while smelling wine are:

• Straight back: avoid leaning forward. A straight posture helps convey confidence and elegance during the tasting.

• Relaxed shoulders: don’t stiffen your upper body. A too rigid stance looks unnatural and can interfere with the fluidity of the gesture.

• Head not too tilted: bring the glass to your nose without bending your neck excessively forward. This keeps the gesture harmonious and refined.

6. Keep your eyes closed and wait before commenting

During the olfactory analysis of wine, it is advisable to keep your eyes closed and avoid making comments or judgments while perceiving the aromas. This small precaution helps maintain full concentration on the scents, eliminating visual stimuli or distractions that could interfere with sensory interpretation.

Closing your eyes allows you to isolate your sense of smell from the others and perceive every nuance with greater precision. Waiting to comment enables you to gather all the olfactory information before forming an opinion, making the analysis more accurate and mindful.

Now you know how to behave perfectly when smelling wine. Follow our tips, and you’ll always make a great impression.