Awaken Your Senses: When Science Meets the Soul of Wine

Ever wonder why a single scent can transport you back in time?

Dr. Isabelle Lesschaeve’s Awaken Your Senses masterclass at Innovinum blends science and emotion through scent — and it’s the perfect starter to level up your wine tasting game. Some wine classes teach you how to taste. Isabelle’s class teaches you how to describe what you smell.

From the minute she started talking, her friendly, curious energy drew everyone in. And that French accent? Totally charming. Her background in sensory science is what really sets her apart — this woman knows her scents.

She bridges chemistry and emotion, showing that aroma isn’t just about molecules; it’s about memory.

Her introductory class is an ideal starting point, whether you're a wine enthusiast eager to refine your tasting skills or a hospitality professional looking for new ways to engage guests.

She guided us through scents to explore at home — participants brought herbs, leather, vanilla, even lemons — and introduced her two sensory frameworks: N.O.S.E.™ and S.E.N.S.E.S.™.

She reminded us that while tasting terms like “pear” or “toasted brioche” help describe a wine, what truly connects us is the emotion it stirs. Two people can sip the same Champagne, but one feels joy while another feels calm — and both are right. (There are no wrong answers, she insists.)

Another “aha” moment came when she explained how our brains process aroma before logic even kicks in. We’re feeling creatures first, thinking creatures second. It’s why certain wines feel comforting before we even understand why. That insight changed how I think about pairing, recommending, and even enjoying wine — it’s less about perfection and more about presence.

By the end of the class, I didn’t just learn more about wine — I learned more about myself.

I finally understood why I love the smell of tomato leaf or basement in wine — it takes me straight back to my grandparents’ house in New Jersey, bottling the family’s Sicilian sauce in their slightly musty cellar. Such wonderful memories!

Isabelle doesn’t just teach sensory science; she teaches connection — to aroma, to memory, and to the people sharing the bottle beside you.

A Few of Her Credentials

• Over 30 years of experience as a research professional and sensory consultant in the wine industry

• Former instructor of wine sensory evaluation at Brock University and other colleges

• Published over 50 peer-reviewed academic papers and several book chapters

• Keynote speaker at major conferences, including the International Cool Climate Wine Symposium and the Australian Wine Technical Conference

• Serves as VP of Scholarship for the American Wine Society Educational Foundation, supporting the next generation of North American wine professionals

 Want to learn more about Dr. Isabelle Lesschaeve’s upcoming sensory experiences? Just head HERE. She also has some awesome educational downloads for you!

Isabelle also has a free community called The Curious Palates, where you can join her to explore sensory awakening together.

CHEERS to the joy of awakening our/your senses!