Train Your Nose Like a Pro with Le Nez du Vin Masterkit
3 minutes read
I’ve always found the smelling part of wine tasting the most difficult. In our modern lives, we’re not used to really using our nose anymore!
Think about it: when you visit your grandparents in the countryside, fruit smells alive. Back home in the city? Not so much. Industrialization changed not only how fruit tastes — but also how it smells.
So how can you educate your nose, especially if, like me, you live in town?
Let me present you my go-to solution, or what I like to call it my short-cut.
If you want to improve your wine tasting skills, training your nose is key — and Le Nez du Vin Masterkit is one of the best tools for it. The kit includes 54 vials representing aromas found in wines from around the world, along with detailed cards and a guidebook to help you recognize and describe them. It’s used by professionals, lasts for years, and makes learning fun (even during a dinner party). Yes, it’s pricey, but it truly works — and smaller, more affordable versions are also available.
What Is the Le Nez du Vin Masterkit?
This wine aroma kit is a complete learning tool for anyone who wants to train their sense of smell. It includes:
- 54 vials representing key aromas found in wines from all over the world (not just French wines!)
- 54 illustrated index cards explaining the link between each aroma and its related wine
- A guidebook that explains aroma origins and helps you practice recognition
The kit covers all three aroma categories used in wine tasting:
- Primary aromas: fruity, floral, herbal, and spicy notes
- Secondary aromas: linked to fermentation and aging
- Tertiary aromas: the complex roasted or animal notes of older wines
You can learn more and purchase the Le Nez du Vin Masterkit on Amazon.
Why I Bought It (Even Though It’s Expensive)
Yes, the price is intimidating — I hesitated for months before buying it.
But here’s why I finally took the plunge:
1️⃣ Every professional sommelier I met recommended it. It’s always mentioned as a must-have in any wine training program.
2️⃣ My friends who had it were incredible at identifying aromas — and I wanted to be like them!
3️⃣ And after using it myself, I can honestly say: it works.
The Masterkit is guaranteed for five years (and can last up to ten). If a vial loses its scent, you can contact Le Nez du Vin — they’ll replace it (tested myself!).
It’s elegant, effective, and even fun at dinner parties. Guests love guessing aromas before the meal — it turns wine tasting into a game!
Too Pricey? Try Smaller Kits
If the Le Nez du Vin Masterkit feels out of reach, there are smaller, more affordable options:
There’s also a “defects of wine” kit, focusing on faults and oak influence — great if you’re training for WSET or sommelier exams.
Final Thoughts
This kit has completely changed the way I experience wine.
It’s not cheap, but the progress comes fast, and it’s an investment in your wine journey.
If you want to educate your nose, develop your tasting skills, or simply have fun with friends, the Le Nez du Vin Masterkit is worth it.
Check out the Masterkit out and start educating your nose!
Let me know in the comments what you think about le Nez du Vin! I would be happy to answer any questions and have your opinion on it.
Oh and while you’re at it, grab an aroma wheel! It’ll definitely help you with putting a name on what you smell.
Where to next?
Book your private wine tasting with me!
Think you can recognize those aromas in real wines? Let’s find out together!
Book a private wine tasting with me and put your new nose to the test.
Good wine, good laughs, and great stories guaranteed.
As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
6 Comments
Danny
Although the overall price is quite high, I know a few people that would really appreciate any of the smaller kits as gifts. Do you know how quickly the average person would be able to recognise the different aromas when tasting a new wine without looking at the label? Assuming they were to practice with the vials included in any of the Nez du Vin products.
Mademoiselle
Your question is really interesting but it has a complicated answer… Firstly it depends how much the person works on it’ consistency is the key : try testing yourself with 5 vials every day (more, you will not be able to smell anything). And the first results will be that it will help you decompose aromas in the smell of the wine (that’s what it did for me). After, all our nose and receptors are different… So it really depends actually… But, in a few months, you get results, you get to recognise some aromas
me278
The job of a sommelier has always been interesting to me. I have an acquaintance who is engaged in that profession. It’s fascinating to me how he knows a lot of information about a wine just by using his sense of smell. He is well trained. I think the price of the Masterkit is too high, but it is worth it in the long run for people who want to be sommeliers.
Mademoiselle
Yes, it is a high price but I think it is worth the money: it really has helped me decompose the smell of a wine. But for people who like wine “like that”, it would be too much of an investment. It took me a few months before deciding on it, I don’t regret it, but I get some people might find it too expensive.
Parameter
Getting insight into 54 different aromas from one book is a lot of treasure, instead of spending time searching and learning the different aromas from various locations. I can now see and know of them from the comfort of my house. As you said, 399 bulks is a lot of cash, but the cost is highly justified
Mademoiselle
yes, and you can buy them separately if you don’t have the money lying around. But having all of it at the same times really helps you develop your smelling!
let me know how your training goes