Aroma Wheel helps distinguish wine flavors and smells

The terminology used to describe wines is often confusing to the wine novice. Even the seasoned veteran can be stumped by the flavors and smells of some wines. The use of an aroma wheel can bring relevance to these terms for all wine lovers. And understanding the flavors and smells of wine offers customers the opportunity to get more acquainted with a larger variety of the drink.

Descriptive words have been around the wine industry since the beginning. While producers and viticulturalists have a keen sense of tastes and aromas, the layperson usually has a hard time sensing them. In 1990, Ann C. Noble, a professor and sensory scientist/flavor chemist at the University of California – Davis, developed the aroma wheel. This simple construct categorizes and helps explain many of the descriptive terms associated with wine.

The aroma wheel can be used for all types of wine. Terminology is sorted into main categories, including “floral,” “fruity” and “earthy.” These main categories break down further into subcategories such as “citrus,” “moldy” and “berry.” The subcategories are then broken down into the actual aroma terms. Examples are “violet,” “black currant,” “dusty” and “clove.”

These terms were set up using base aromas from the actual items. The key to using the wheel is to obtain the expertise to recognize these terms from the wine’s aroma and taste. Take apple and cedar as an example. Put a small piece of apple in a wine glass and smell the aroma. Try this with a piece of cedar. See if you can then recognize these aromas in the wines you taste.

If you are interested in the aroma wheel, please stop by one of our stores. We would be happy to get you one and get you hooked on the terminology of wine.

Greg Keehr is the Assistant Liquor Operations Director and Manager of Edina Liquor – Grandview.

Fernleaf Sauvignon Blanc 2004: This wine is a “bang-for-the-buck” charmer with all the typical lemon-lime tanginess and pear flavors expected from a quality New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Pair with lobster, crab legs or salmon. $9.99

Francis Coppola Claret 2004: This hip Claret sports a deep garnet hue and has lively aromas of black currants, allspice and mocha. Pair with braised beef, fennel-crusted pork loin or tomato-based pastas. Reg. $17.99; Sale $15.99

Falesco Vitiano Rosso 2003: Year after year, this wine is one of the world's best red wine values! It is very dark in color, with aromas of smoke-tinged dark fruits. $12.99

Estancia Cabernet 2004: This Paso Robles winner has aromas of toasty currants and black cherry with a hint of mocha. The flavors are primarily dark fruits with fine tannins and an enduring rich finish. It is aged 12 months in oak for added complexity. $10.99

Little Penguin Cabernet 2005: Plump and generous, a gentle mouthful of sweet blueberry and currant fruit shaded with hints of mocha and cedar lingers nicely with the finish. A very “easy to sip on” wine. $6.99

Dave Tomko is Assistant Manager of Edina Liquor – Southdale.

Wine in Grocery Poses Problems for Edina Liquor

As the New Year rolls in, we at Edina Liquor would like to thank all of our patrons for their loyalty and support of our three liquor stores. As 2007 progresses, we hope to keep business in an upswing.

One of the biggest challenges in the Minnesota liquor world today is from grocery stores beginning a trend to sell wine in their facilities. Bags from Cub Foods are promoting wine in grocery (WIG) legislation and Kowalski's Market promotes it in in-house displays. The staff at Edina Liquor prides itself in the services we provide to residents in and near Edina. We would like to keep you informed of WIG as the legislation surrounding it grows.

• Grocers in Minnesota claim that 33 other states sell wine in grocery stores. These 33 states, however, also sell beer and/or hard liquor.
• Recently, grocers lobbied for legislation that changed the square footage of a building that would be allowed to carry wine from 10,000 square feet to 8,000 square feet.
• Grocers look at wine as a commodity, not as a controlled substance. The laws we currently have in place are there for safety purposes. In grocery stores, it would be difficult to regulate who is selling wine to whom and to what age group. This is not a convenience, rather a nuisance. The City of Edina, as a municipality, owns all three liquor stores in Edina, and the revenue from these liquor stores goes back into the City budget to support road projects, park projects and general City services. Over the past five years, Edina Liquor stores have generated over $900,000 per year in net income.

For more information about WIG, from the perspective of liquor retailers, please visit www.minnesotasmart.com.

Steve Grausam is Liquor Operations Director. He can be reached by sending an e-mail to sgrausam@ci.edina.mn.us.