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At altitude, the air changes, time slows down and wine tells a different story. It is a story of temperature swings, intense solar radiation, austere soils and precise human gestures—but, above all, it is a story of aromas. Mountain aromas create a unique and captivating olfactory dimension, rooted in extreme environmental factors and expressed in the glass with freshness, finesse and verticality. The role of altitude in aromatic development Altitude decisively shapes a wine’s aromatic profile. As vineyards climb, average temperatures drop, nights grow colder than days, and grape ripening slows. This allows more aromatic molecules to accumulate in the...

Taste seems simple: a bite, a flavor, a judgment. But in reality, it’s a complex phenomenon involving multiple senses, culminating in a deep process within our brain. Today, neurogastronomy—the science of how we perceive flavor in the brain—shows us that what we call "good" isn’t just about the palate. __________________________________________________________ It’s not just about the tongue: the nose plays a major role. It’s true that the tongue can identify five basic tastes: sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and umami. But if that were all, coffee and chocolate would taste the same. In truth, what we call "flavor" is largely aroma, and...

Extra virgin olive oil is much more than a condiment: it's a key ingredient that elevates the scent and flavor of every dish. And in summer, the season of gourmet salads, it's what turns a "nice meal" into a truly memorable experience. But how do you choose the right oil? Each monocultivar (an oil made from a single olive variety) has a unique aromatic identity that can either enhance or flatten your ingredients. Knowing the oil—its scents, strengths, and even defects—and training your nose is key to perfect pairing. Here are 4 summer salads paired with 4 monocultivar EVOOs, selected...

There’s a moment in tasting a structured red wine when the nose fills with a deep, velvety scent. That’s where blackberry hides, one of the most fascinating fruity aromas to identify. Blackberry is among the deepest scents you can detect in a glass of red wine. It stands out for its richness and immediately evokes ripe red fruit, but very few people can pinpoint it. That’s because it’s less commonly associated with sweets, candies, or everyday drinks, making it harder to memorize. To learn and recognize it, it helps to compare it directly with other red fruit aromas. Describing the...

Extra virgin olive oil (EVO) is a precious ingredient, fundamental to Mediterranean and global food culture since ancient times. Often taken for granted, it actually hides a complex aromatic universe, rich in surprising notes and unique health benefits. Anyone who has tasted a truly excellent olive oil knows how unexpected it can be: fresh grass? Artichoke? Banana? Tomato leaf? Learning to recognize quality oil isn't easy—the differences between a mediocre and an excellent EVO can be subtle, yet crucial. To detect them, we need to train our sense of smell—the key player in tasting. That’s where TasterPlace’s Olive Oil Aroma...