THE NOSE KNOWS

As I was enjoying a glass of Ballentine Vineyards Old Vines Syrah today, I realized that I had barely taken a sip and had been swirling and smelling the wine for quite a long time. Every once in a while I find myself so wrapped up in the “nose” I almost forget to drink!

Scientists say smells have direct access to the brain, connecting immediately to memory and emotion. Like a lover’s cologne or the scent of cookies from childhood, wine’s aromas can evoke a specific place and time with uncanny power. I can spend hours deciphering the aromas in a particular wine. Just as I can reminisce for hours on the way my grandmother’s house smelled at Christmas. Some people have a difficult time identifying specific aromas in wine. Here is what I have to say to that… “PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.”

Contemporary culture turns up its nose at most strong smells. We deoderize our bodies, our homes and our cars; everything from land lotion to dishwashing detergent comes “lemony fresh” to give the impression of cleanliness and neutrality. It’s no wonder we lack the language to describe the complex, fleeting sensations that evanesce from a half-filled glass of wine.

Wine can smell of so much more than grapes. Rose, iris, cherry, peach, honey, vanilla, smoked bacon just to name a few.

Bottom line: Stop and take the time to smell the roses, the bacon sizzling in the pan, the basket of ripe fruit on the counter. Let your brain commit the smell to memory so you can recall it fondly over your next glass of wine.



October's Women Wine Workshop was a huge success thanks to all of the wonderful ladies that attended--THANK YOU!!!
We learned about Jewel wines from Califonia. They have a nice selection.

Believe it or not that was the last workshop of the year. Check back, I will post the class schedule as soon as I have it. You can also sign up for the OAKLEYS bistro e-mail list by clicking here. That way you will be up to date on all of the wine functions that we do at OAKLEYS.

L. Cunningham
A Woman on Wine