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The Essential Scratch & Sniff Guide To Becoming A Wine Expert: Take a Whiff of That
Richard Betts is one of fewer than two hundred master sommeliers in the world, but he’s no wine snob and he hates wine-speak. In the first book of its kind, he helps readers scratch and sniff their way to expertise by introducing the basic components of wine—the fruits, the wood, the earth—enabling anyone to discover the difference between a Syrah and a Sangiovese and get the glass they love every time. Humorously illustrated, with 16 scents, this irresistible gift puts the fun back in wine fundamentals.
22 pages, Board Book
First published November 12, 2013
3 people are currently reading
639 people want to read
About the author
Richard Betts
13 books8 followersRICHARD BETTS has been featured in the New York Times, Wine Spectator, Food & Wine, Outside, GQ, and Details and speaks frequently on wine throughout the country. He is the founder of two wine companies, Betts & Scholl and Scarpetta, that have won top praise from leading wine publications. The founder and president of Sombra Mezcal, he launched several new red wines in 2012.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
March 5, 2014
I was stunned by the audacity of this book, and then I was stunned again when I realized that it was only me that felt this way, judging by the scores on Goodreads!
For one, the scratch and sniff element of the book, which was the thing that attracted me to it, was feeble. Mostly there was a smell of a sort of plasticy deodorant. The only one that came close to the real thing was the butter smell. So you definitely won’t learn how to discern smells in wines from this, not even basic ones. Also on this point it hardly needs stating that the diminishing return this book will give over time, as the scratch and sniff areas wear out, makes the $20 cover price seem crazy. Especially considering that it also has the design of a kids board book with only 24 pages! I got this from the library but it seems (and this is the first time I've said this) that buying it might be a better option, unless you can get it while it's fairly new.
Another thing that I hated about this book, and this made me really mad, was the patronizing and contradictory message regarding "wine snobs". He started the book by using the word "terroir" as a wine snob word suggesting that he hated it only to then define terroir as a term later in the book saying "it's real...and can be very interesting". The fact is that, as a Master Sommelier, Betts is pulled between wanting to use the proper terminology and remembering that he is supposed to be hip in this particular title. The worst example of this is when he warns us that there are sometimes problems with wine caused by chlorophenols and then in brackets he says "whatever right?!?" - wait, you're writing this book dude, if you want to make it totally dumbed down go ahead - no one is going to stop you, just use a different word! Or just have the confidence in your readers understanding that sometimes there is only one correct word.
Then there are the factual inaccuracies for example telling us on page 10 that pear and apple scents are considered “subtle”, not “exotic”, in white wines and then in the wonderfully simplistic conclusion saying "And you'd like a little bit of pear and apple (exotic)". Ummm? Unfortunately he says at the top of this page "Let's make use of this book to actually find something to drink" - well if I did that I wouldn't think that pears and apples were exotic.
You might be thinking why the dickens is this dude being so down on what is surely meant to be a light and fluffy fun book? I guess you're right in a sense, I could lighten up a bit but the point is that even within the world of light and fluffy the mistakes and inconsistencies are too telling. Not to mention that the author is trying to have it both ways - trying to come across as one of us when he clearly knows his onions and could have written a far more successful book. By the way I don't like wine snobbery either but there is a difference between wine snobbery for its own sake and the genuine inclination to learn something and to use the proper terms around a subject, any subject. Sadly this book falls between the two and wont teach you anything in particular because it doesn't quite know who it's speaking to.
In the end this is a money spinner that hangs on its one cool feature, which unfortunately doesn't work. Not worth the time or money.
For one, the scratch and sniff element of the book, which was the thing that attracted me to it, was feeble. Mostly there was a smell of a sort of plasticy deodorant. The only one that came close to the real thing was the butter smell. So you definitely won’t learn how to discern smells in wines from this, not even basic ones. Also on this point it hardly needs stating that the diminishing return this book will give over time, as the scratch and sniff areas wear out, makes the $20 cover price seem crazy. Especially considering that it also has the design of a kids board book with only 24 pages! I got this from the library but it seems (and this is the first time I've said this) that buying it might be a better option, unless you can get it while it's fairly new.
Another thing that I hated about this book, and this made me really mad, was the patronizing and contradictory message regarding "wine snobs". He started the book by using the word "terroir" as a wine snob word suggesting that he hated it only to then define terroir as a term later in the book saying "it's real...and can be very interesting". The fact is that, as a Master Sommelier, Betts is pulled between wanting to use the proper terminology and remembering that he is supposed to be hip in this particular title. The worst example of this is when he warns us that there are sometimes problems with wine caused by chlorophenols and then in brackets he says "whatever right?!?" - wait, you're writing this book dude, if you want to make it totally dumbed down go ahead - no one is going to stop you, just use a different word! Or just have the confidence in your readers understanding that sometimes there is only one correct word.
Then there are the factual inaccuracies for example telling us on page 10 that pear and apple scents are considered “subtle”, not “exotic”, in white wines and then in the wonderfully simplistic conclusion saying "And you'd like a little bit of pear and apple (exotic)". Ummm? Unfortunately he says at the top of this page "Let's make use of this book to actually find something to drink" - well if I did that I wouldn't think that pears and apples were exotic.
You might be thinking why the dickens is this dude being so down on what is surely meant to be a light and fluffy fun book? I guess you're right in a sense, I could lighten up a bit but the point is that even within the world of light and fluffy the mistakes and inconsistencies are too telling. Not to mention that the author is trying to have it both ways - trying to come across as one of us when he clearly knows his onions and could have written a far more successful book. By the way I don't like wine snobbery either but there is a difference between wine snobbery for its own sake and the genuine inclination to learn something and to use the proper terms around a subject, any subject. Sadly this book falls between the two and wont teach you anything in particular because it doesn't quite know who it's speaking to.
In the end this is a money spinner that hangs on its one cool feature, which unfortunately doesn't work. Not worth the time or money.
November 8, 2013
I like wine but am definitely not a "wine snob," so this book was right up my alley! I wrote a full review for The Wine Club Group site (Review: Essential Scratch and Sniff Guide to Becoming a Wine Expert) but here is the gist of it.
First, I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars because I would have liked for it to have been longer and there were a couple of scents that didn't "smell" so much. But other than that, it was terrific.
This book is a quick read because it is done like a children's board book. You could probably get through it in 10 minutes if you want to. But you shouldn't want to. The best part of it is taking your time sniffing the different scents and really comparing to see what you like best. Then at the end you match up all of those comparisons on a chart and see which wines are recommended for you.
I think this would be an EXCELLENT gift for someone who likes wine but is not too serious about it.
First, I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars because I would have liked for it to have been longer and there were a couple of scents that didn't "smell" so much. But other than that, it was terrific.
This book is a quick read because it is done like a children's board book. You could probably get through it in 10 minutes if you want to. But you shouldn't want to. The best part of it is taking your time sniffing the different scents and really comparing to see what you like best. Then at the end you match up all of those comparisons on a chart and see which wines are recommended for you.
I think this would be an EXCELLENT gift for someone who likes wine but is not too serious about it.
June 9, 2016
This is exactly what it says it is: a scratch and sniff book that uses the olfactory method to help one become more familiar with wine and with an even greater hope to pursue the direction that a connoisseur would. The items that are being presented for one to scratch and sniff are not the different types of wine, but instead elements that make up the wine that we are more familiar. Ingredients include fruits and citrus, bacon and butter, and even grass and leather, which produce a residue that ends up in the wine as it is being made. While one may question some strange things that can be found in wine, the strangest being cat urine, Betts reminds up the types of bacteria and mold that is found in different types of cheese, most notably blue cheese, and yet we still eat that. It was on moldy bread where we got penicillin, and it still has its use in serving as an antibiotic.
I feel that this book about wine is effective in giving readers a sense of what they need to know in order to understand wine. It is only 22 pages, but Betts uses these pages effectively in order to display as much as possible. If you are willing to pay $12 off of Amazon or $20 for retail to purchase something of this caliber, which I would say is the only major downfall, then I feel that something like this is worth it and right to the point. I feel that it is worth it and I have not found anything that tops this, so I would recommend it. The fact that it is a hands-on experience is a bonus!
I feel that this book about wine is effective in giving readers a sense of what they need to know in order to understand wine. It is only 22 pages, but Betts uses these pages effectively in order to display as much as possible. If you are willing to pay $12 off of Amazon or $20 for retail to purchase something of this caliber, which I would say is the only major downfall, then I feel that something like this is worth it and right to the point. I feel that it is worth it and I have not found anything that tops this, so I would recommend it. The fact that it is a hands-on experience is a bonus!
June 25, 2016
A scratch-and-sniff guide to wine sells itself. No review necessary.
September 29, 2021
A lot of people apparently found the scratch and sniff component of this book worthless. I haven't tried that part yet, so I can't comment except to say that even if I agree with them it will not in the least change my very high opinion of this book. The scratch and sniff part is gimmicky. What is solid substance is the way the author breaks down the sensory components that go into a wine, encourages you to become familiar with which components appeal to you and then helps guide you the wine styles that fit that profile -- all in a 15 minute read. Truly amazing! What I like the best is the chart slipped into a pocket in the back of the book that lets you build up from red/white adding in on the red side red fruit or black fruit and on the white side subtle or exotic, then addressing whether you want a woody flavor to your wine, and then asking whether you want it to be earthy or not. This is his so-called "map of the whole wine world" and it is incredibly well done. So, if I want a subtle white, with a woody element and a floral earthiness, a French Sauvignon Blanc, or a Bordeaux Blanc or a Semillon might be what I want, but if I'd rather not have the earthiness or the woody element then a US, NZ or South African Sauvignon Blanc or a US Pinot Blanc or Pinot Gris might be more my speed. I just LOVE this chart. I also like working backwards on it, taking wines I like and seeing what elements I should expect to find in them. This helps me become a more sophisticate drinker of wines. So, if all you care about is the scratch and sniff gimmick, pay attention to the other reviews, but if what you want is a way to deconstruct what you are drinking from a flavor standpoint and help you narrow in on what you are likely to like, this is your book (and chart).
June 8, 2025
This book was a gift, but I don’t think it’s worth the price.
I was initially drawn to it by the scented pages, but some scents are barely noticeable and will likely fade over time. It feels more like a book for kids than for adults. If it was meant for an adult audience, it’s too short.
On the positive side, it’s a helpful guide for beginners. The best feature is the diagram showing wine types by smell and origin—it makes it easy to narrow down what you’re looking for. Still, by 2025, there are likely more updated versions out there. It’s not really a book for becoming an expert, despite the title.
I was initially drawn to it by the scented pages, but some scents are barely noticeable and will likely fade over time. It feels more like a book for kids than for adults. If it was meant for an adult audience, it’s too short.
On the positive side, it’s a helpful guide for beginners. The best feature is the diagram showing wine types by smell and origin—it makes it easy to narrow down what you’re looking for. Still, by 2025, there are likely more updated versions out there. It’s not really a book for becoming an expert, despite the title.
January 6, 2018
This book is a marvelous little accompaniment to drinking. It's written in good humor by a Master Sommelier and encourages readers to consider fruit, wood and earthiness in wine to pinpoint why they like what they like. I honestly wish it made more scratch-and-sniff stickers though...
July 15, 2023
This was a cute book with a simple breakdown of how to actually find wines you like without the education of a wine expert needed. I don’t know if it was just my book but the whole book had a funky smell to it that clouded some of the scents within the book. Otherwise, it could be a fun book to give to novice wine enthusiasts.
December 27, 2021
I mean yeah the stickers are goated
May 10, 2021
I thrifted this board book and it was such a fun short read! It’s funny and teaches you all about wine! Random and fun!
October 3, 2014
This is fun.
It has none of the pretentiousness or snobbery one might imagine in a book about wine. The Author presents a ton of information in a very simple format and is never condescending. He clearly enjoys the subject. I suspect that he is the type who would enter a room, and find the one person who doesn't like wine and make it his personal mission to educate them on what they are missing.
I have a friend who didn't like wine, and said it was "for sissies" to drink. Between my urgings to try various wines, and this book, she knows not only what she likes, but why. I am a big wine fan, and I love to share that appreciation with others. Score!
Whether you know a lot about wine or nothing at all, I recommend this book.
It has none of the pretentiousness or snobbery one might imagine in a book about wine. The Author presents a ton of information in a very simple format and is never condescending. He clearly enjoys the subject. I suspect that he is the type who would enter a room, and find the one person who doesn't like wine and make it his personal mission to educate them on what they are missing.
I have a friend who didn't like wine, and said it was "for sissies" to drink. Between my urgings to try various wines, and this book, she knows not only what she likes, but why. I am a big wine fan, and I love to share that appreciation with others. Score!
Whether you know a lot about wine or nothing at all, I recommend this book.
March 4, 2015
The scratch & sniff doesn't smell like anything, which pretty much made this book a big fat waste of money. I gave this book to my husband for Christmas and I couldn't have been more disappointed.
February 16, 2019
When I first came across this book on Goodreads I was, to say the least, very frustrated. I was having problems identifying aromas in wine and had I started Googling DIY wine aroma kits - cause I couldn't and can't shell out $ 400 for a professional one. That was when I found this title: "Scratch and Sniff Guide" and I lit up. I added it to my cart on Bookwitty.com and decided to buy it once I get my pay-check. Two weeks later I received it as a gift from my boyfriend. And I lit up again.
This book is not what you expect - not completely. From the name and cover, you start having relevant expectations: it's kind'a sort'a similar to children's books.
Well, it's neither kind'a nor sort'a. It is a children's book, but, well, for adults. The book is quite bigger than I'd imagined. It's made of thick carton, like baby books. It's all illustrated in quite a cute and hilarious manner. And it's written very wittily and conversationally in big font and small passages. But the best part is there are 16 stickers in the book overall that are meant to be scratched and sniffed to get you acquainted with some typical aromas present in wines.
If I had to make one comment it would be that the book is super short and the aromas are very subtle. I would've appreciated a longer read even if that meant sacrificing a bit on the "children's book for adults" concept.
This book is not what you expect - not completely. From the name and cover, you start having relevant expectations: it's kind'a sort'a similar to children's books.
Well, it's neither kind'a nor sort'a. It is a children's book, but, well, for adults. The book is quite bigger than I'd imagined. It's made of thick carton, like baby books. It's all illustrated in quite a cute and hilarious manner. And it's written very wittily and conversationally in big font and small passages. But the best part is there are 16 stickers in the book overall that are meant to be scratched and sniffed to get you acquainted with some typical aromas present in wines.
If I had to make one comment it would be that the book is super short and the aromas are very subtle. I would've appreciated a longer read even if that meant sacrificing a bit on the "children's book for adults" concept.
July 2, 2018
I'll admit: when I saw the title, I thought it was going to be a joke. Turns out Betts is a master sommelier and his humorous approach will certainly make wine more fun for all. Betts gives the reader a tasting road map, explaining how tasting is actually really smelling. "We actually taste only sweet, sour, salt, bitter, and a savory thing that Japanese call umami. All the rest of the stuff are actually just aromas or smells."
He explains the difference between "red" and "black" fruit in red wines. He examines the fruit you might taste in white wines.
He details why all oak barrels are not created equal. But, at the end of the day, I think I loved his big idea best. Betts writes, " When my work is done, we'll all have wine like civilized people do the world over - at lunch, at dinner, with food, family, and friends. Doesn't matter what it is...just as long as it makes you smile."
And this book certainly made me smile. It's fun, engaging, and definitely a conversation starter. I found the smelly stickers were pretty weak, but the information was still relevant. I will have it on my table for a wine tasting I'm hosting next week. Should be fun for all.
He explains the difference between "red" and "black" fruit in red wines. He examines the fruit you might taste in white wines.
He details why all oak barrels are not created equal. But, at the end of the day, I think I loved his big idea best. Betts writes, " When my work is done, we'll all have wine like civilized people do the world over - at lunch, at dinner, with food, family, and friends. Doesn't matter what it is...just as long as it makes you smile."
And this book certainly made me smile. It's fun, engaging, and definitely a conversation starter. I found the smelly stickers were pretty weak, but the information was still relevant. I will have it on my table for a wine tasting I'm hosting next week. Should be fun for all.
February 15, 2021
In 2013 Harcourt Publishing released Richard Betts, a worldwide Master Sommelier’s book “The Essential ‘Scratch & Sniff’ Guide to Becoming a Wine Expert.” Richard’s coauthors are Crystal Sacca and Wendy MacNaughton. His book explains the wood, fruit, earthy, and related foundations of wine grape taste and smell compositions. The pages include buttons that emit wine composition smells when they are finger scratched. Richard’s book describes how fruit and fermentation flavors define old as well as new world wines. Also, his folded map at the back of the book is very well done and informative. My wife gifted me the book on Valentine’s Day. It is now a family treasure that has a prominent place on top of our wine cabinet —readily available for all to enjoy. (P)
December 26, 2021
OK I have to say, I picked this up for cheap thinking it would be a more educational read but it was better. It was a fun, easy to comprehend adult board book for wine drinkers. I didn't try the scratch n sniff parts because I wanted to save them for another time. I am going to include this on my bar cart for others to enjoy while having a glass of vino! I have to admit, I think it turned me on to adult board books and I'll be looking for more!
September 4, 2022
It's great idea, but execution seems to fall a bit flat, because some of the smells are the same or you can't smell them at all, some are just this chemical fake smell so not feeling nice, and you would expect more of those stickers so you could smell every thing instead of just one out of 8 things for example. The circle map at the end which you could use to figure out what kind of wine you should drink is a good idea.
September 11, 2019
This little cuteness doesn’t take too long to finish up. I bet the smell from the new book must be incredible. I bought this book from a secondhand book fair which kept books for ages. Eventually, it lost all the original aromas.
Lively and interesting book for beginner who are learning wine aromas
Lively and interesting book for beginner who are learning wine aromas
September 16, 2024
This book is amazing. I wish I had a bit of a newer copy since the scents are mostly gone at this point (the ONE downfall to used book shopping). The author did a great job of breaking down wine into different categories, and I do feel I can identify what I am tasting/ what I want to drink next based on how easily the author did that. What a gem!
January 28, 2018
Really cute, even if I don't drink. I couldn't help it. Since the book is from 2013, I think some of the smells have worn off (bacon and vanilla). The fruit and grass was still good though. The butter was, wow.
April 22, 2019
This is a fun little book with a very good overview of flavors to look for in wine. The included map is a great resource for finding wines that you might not know about. Sadly, I grabbed this out of a free little library, so the smells are long gone.
May 16, 2020
What a fun way to learn about wine and discover what wine you are in the mood to drink! The chart at the end is easy to use and helps decide what wine to drink based on just a few easy how I feel tonight questions!!!
January 27, 2018
short little informative book. cute illustrations, some text a little hard to read, but a just fine interesting book.
January 1, 2019
The perfect gift for anyone who loves wine & whimsy.
March 9, 2019
Don’t let the simplicity fool you. This little book is surprisingly informative!
January 7, 2021
non mi è piaciuto per niente, difficile da annusare e comunque poco utile. risparmiate i vostri soldi.
October 25, 2021
Cute quick read. The wine map at the back is actually a great resource for an amateur vino like me.
February 2, 2022
Fun, educational and light hearted. Wine doesn't have to be too serious.
January 7, 2025
Pretty cute, although a couple of the stickers didn’t work and I found the map/chart at the end terribly confusing
February 24, 2025
Really cool, creative idea. Great gift, short. Not boring (most people who write about wine are awfully boring)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews