Wine Aroma Kits: How Long Does The Scent Last?

Wine aroma kits are designed to help users identify the various aromas in wine. The kits contain bottled aromas or fragrances found in wine in concentrated forms. The Le Nez du Vin kits, considered the gold standard of aroma kits, are guaranteed to last for 10 years, after which they will slowly deteriorate. Other aroma kits, such as the Aromabar and Aromaster kits, do not specify an exact duration but are expected to last for several years if properly stored and maintained. The quality and longevity of wine aroma kits can vary depending on their price and brand, with cheaper kits potentially having less effective and long-lasting aromas. Proper storage in a cool, dry, and dark place is crucial to preserving the kits' quality and extending their shelf life.

Wine aroma kits: how to use them

Wine aroma kits are designed to help you identify the various aromas in a glass of wine. They typically contain a series of small vials, each containing a different aroma found in wine. The vials are used to train your nose to more easily identify these aromas when they are mixed in a glass of wine.

There are different types of wine aroma kits available, ranging from 12 to 88 different aromas and in price from $70 to nearly $400. Some kits are focused on a particular type of wine, such as red wine, while others offer a more comprehensive collection of aromas.

• Smell an aroma from the kit and then smell a wine. This will overload your senses with the selected aroma and open up your ability to smell the wine in a different context.
• Crush, cut or rub the spices used in the kit to smell them more easily. Adding the spice to an ounce of wine in a wine glass will allow the spice to 'flavor' the smell of the wine.
• Professional tasters usually use a system of taking two short sniffs followed by a longer, slower sniff. The short sniffs help to 'prime your nose', and the longer sniff helps you to 'observe' the aroma.
• To test yourself, cover up the names of the aromas and try to identify them by smell alone.
• Use the kit to become familiar with the aromas found in a particular type of wine before trying to identify them in a more complex wine.

Wine aroma kits can be a great way to improve your sense of smell and enhance your wine-tasting experience. By training your nose to identify different aromas, you can develop a better understanding of the complex world of wine.

How to store wine aroma kits

Wine aroma kits are a great way to strengthen your sense of smell and improve your olfactory identification. These kits contain a series of small vials that encapsulate the essences of common wine aromas. By sniffing these vials and quizzing yourself on each aroma, you train your nose to identify these scents when they are blended in a glass of wine. While the kits are a fun way to become a wine connoisseur, proper storage is essential to ensure the longevity of the aromas.

Keep Away from Direct Sunlight and Extreme Temperatures:

Avoid exposing the wine aroma kit to direct sunlight or extreme temperatures. Store the kit in a cool, dry, and dark place, preferably slightly below room temperature. Colder temperatures are generally better than warmer ones.

Seal Tightly and Store in a Hermetic Container:

Ensure that all vials are tightly sealed to prevent contamination and damage to the contents. If you've created your own wine aroma kit, prepare the references in a wine glass or hermetic container. Store the container in the fridge if you don't plan on using it right away.

Avoid Strong Odors:

Keep the kit away from any strong odors that might be absorbed by the ingredients. Even though the ingredients are typically protected by plastic, strong odors can still permeate and alter the original scent.

Check Individual Ingredient Expiration Dates:

Wine aroma kits may have a long shelf life, but individual ingredients within the kit can have their own expiration dates. Check for expiration dates on the yeast packet, juice container, and other additives. Potassium metabisulfite and potassium sorbate, for example, can last around 3 years or more.

Replace Ingredients if Necessary:

If your kit has been stored for an extended period, consider replacing some of the ingredients. Yeast, for instance, is a living organism that can lose its viability over time. It should be stored in a cool, dry place and used within a year. If the yeast is old, create a yeast starter by combining it with wine juice or warm water and sugar to rejuvenate it.

Store Wood Chips Separately:

Wood chips can last a long time if stored properly. Keep them in a plastic bag, as they may lose a bit of their oak flavoring over time.

Regularly Sniff and Evaluate the Aromas:

Periodically open the vials and sniff the aromas to ensure they haven't degraded. If an aroma seems weaker or different than you remember, it may be time to replace it.

By following these storage guidelines, you can extend the lifespan of your wine aroma kit and continue refining your sense of smell for years to come.

Do wine aroma kits expire?

Wine aroma kits do expire, but they have a long shelf life. The Le Nez du Vin kits are guaranteed for 10 years, after which they will slowly deteriorate. The Aromaster kits claim that the quality of their aromas will remain the same for at least a decade if the vials are closed properly after use and not stored in direct sunlight.

The shelf life of a wine aroma kit depends on its quality. A cheap aroma kit will not be as effective and will not last as long as a higher-end version. Lower-quality kits may have a chemical smell, and the aromas may not last very long.

The Le Nez du Vin aroma kits, considered the gold standard of aroma kits, last for 5 years and can be extended further if kept in good condition. The Aromabar kits, which include distillates from original fruits and alcohol-based extracts, also have strong and authentic-smelling scents.

Wine kits, which are used for winemaking, are considered food products and usually have an expiration date printed on the packaging. However, the kits don't expire like perishable food items and are generally safe to use past their expiration date. The quality of the ingredients may degrade over time, which can lead to off flavours in the finished product. Proper storage is important to maximise the shelf life of wine kits. They should be kept in a cool, dry, and dark place, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.

Overall, while wine aroma kits do expire, they have a long shelf life, especially if they are of high quality and properly stored.

DIY wine aroma kits

Wine aroma kits are a great way to improve your ability to identify aromas in a glass of wine. These kits can be quite expensive, but you can make your own at home for a fraction of the cost. In this guide, we will take you through the steps to create your own wine aroma kit and provide some tips on how to use it effectively.

Choosing the Base Wine

The first step in creating your wine aroma kit is selecting a base wine. A base wine is typically neutral, without strong aromas, tastes, or mouthfeels. Look for a wine that comes in a bag-in-a-box, as this will give you a large volume of the same batch to work with. You will need one bottle each of an inexpensive, neutral white wine such as Pinot Grigio and an inexpensive, neutral red wine such as Merlot or Beaujolais. These wines will serve as the base for your aroma standards.

Gathering the Ingredients

The ingredients for your wine aroma kit can be found in your kitchen or at your local supermarket. Common ingredients include spices such as black peppercorns, white pepper, black cardamom, and dried tobacco. You can also use produce like bell peppers, vanilla extract, citrus fruits, peaches, and pineapple. If you want to get more creative, you can experiment with ingredients like soy sauce, berries, anise extract, or even crushed nuts.

Preparing the Aroma Standards

To prepare your aroma standards, pour 2 ounces or 4 tablespoons of wine into individual wine glasses for each aroma. Add the indicated amount of each aroma ingredient to its own glass of wine and let it soak for about an hour. After the soaking period, remove any solid ingredients. You can now swirl and sniff each glass to familiarise yourself with the added aroma.

Testing Yourself

Once you have prepared your aroma standards, it's time to test your wine-smelling skills! Transfer the stickers with the aroma names to the bottom of each glass so you can't see them. Shuffle the glasses and then swirl and sniff each standard, trying to identify the aroma. This will help you build your memory bank of aromas and improve your wine-tasting abilities.

Storing and Shelf Life

If you have prepared more aroma standards than you can use in one session, you can store them in the fridge for a few days. However, it is best to use them within that time frame, as the aromas will start to deteriorate. The spices and dry ingredients in your kit will last longer and can be stored in airtight jars.

Final Thoughts

Creating your own wine aroma kit is a fun and inexpensive way to enhance your wine-tasting experience. By practicing with your kit, you will train your sense of smell to identify a variety of aromas in wines. Remember to use fresh ingredients, store your kit properly, and always trust your senses when exploring the complex world of wine aromas.

How much do wine aroma kits cost?

Wine aroma kits can cost anywhere from $30 to nearly $400, depending on the number of aromas included and the quality of the product.

For those seeking a more affordable option, there are kits available for around $30 that use common household spices to create various wine aromas. These kits typically include dry spices such as black peppercorns, white pepper, black cardamom, dried tobacco, and cedar chips, which can be blended with wine or smelled directly from their jars.

On the lower end of the price range, you can find kits with 12 to 24 aromas for around $70. These kits often focus on a specific type of wine, such as red or white wine, and may include scents like raspberry, blackcurrant, strawberry, blackberry, cherry, plum, violet, mint, tobacco, and oak.

As you move up in price, the number of aromas and the complexity of the kits increase. For example, the Aromaster Master Wine Aroma Kit costs around $370 and offers 88 different aromas, including fruit, flower, barrel-driven scents, and "wine fault" aromas.

The top-of-the-line option is the Le Nez du Vin kit, which is widely considered the gold standard of aroma kits. This kit costs $399 and includes 54 aromas, extensive printed materials, flashcards, and a booklet that enhances the utility of the vials.

It's important to note that while these kits can be pricey, they offer a unique way to improve your sense of smell, aid in olfactory identification, and even help you blindly identify the type of wine you're tasting.

Frequently asked questions