What if the problem isn’t your palate—but the way you were taught to taste wine?
You don’t struggle because you “can’t smell properly.”
You struggle because no one ever showed you how to train your senses.
Stop Memorizing Wine.
Start Sensing It.
Discover the only sensory-science-based program that trains your brain to identify your perceptions,
so you can taste with confidence instead of guessing.
The Problem with "Prevailing Wisdom" in Wine Education
If you have ever taken a wine appreciation class, you likely encountered the traditional approach:
- memorize a list of descriptors,
- look at a flavor wheel
- try to find "blackcurrant" or "wet slate"
because the instructor told you it is there.
Here is the hard truth:
Most wine education courses overlook the fundamentals of smell and taste development.
They tell you what to taste, not how to taste.
This approach is full of biases and relies on rote memorization rather than actual perception.
It leaves you feeling unsure, afraid to speak up, and worried that your palate just "isn't good enough."
But there is a Better Way...
Imagine never faking a tasting note again.
Never nodding along while secretly doubting yourself.
Never wondering if everyone else “gets it” except you.
Instead, imagine trusting your senses.
Speaking up without fear of being wrong.
Feeling calm, grounded, and legitimate when you describe what’s in your glass—whether you’re with friends or professionals.
This isn’t about sounding impressive.
It’s about finally feeling at home in your own perceptions.
Unlike other programs that focus on theory and geography first, the sensory science approach lets you develop your senses before learning about wine and all its complexities.
Hi, I’m Isabelle Lesschaeve,
A seasoned sensory scientist, former University professor and Corporate researcher, turned Wine Tasting Coach.
Over the past 30 years, I have trained novices and professionals alike to overcome their inability to describe what they sense.
- My goal is to make wine approachable by helping you trust what you sense.
After months of testing, I have found Skool to be the right platform to accompany you on your journey to develop wine sensory confidence, whatever the skill level you wish to reach.
Because it’s a journey.
You start by unlocking your sensory awareness, then you explore how to experience wine differently - far from the old rituals - and, if your passion drives you to seek proficiency, you then develop specific skills to describe wine with precision and confidence.
Introducing
The Curious Palates Membership Path
Curious Palates is the only community that helps you develop your wine palate by learning to sense flavor nuances instead of memorizing a list of undefined descriptors.
This is your path to tasting mastery.
It is perfect for wine lovers, sensory curious enthusiasts, and advanced students who are tired of the "snobby" approach and want practical, science-based training.
Not everyone aims for mastery in wine sensory description, and that's perfectly fine.
That’s why I've developed a path designed to help you meet your goals, no matter how much time you wish to dedicate to your wine sensory education.
Which Level on the Path is Right for You?
I have designed three levels to meet you exactly where you are in your sensory journey and accompany you with the support and guidance required from me, your Tasting Coach.
MEMBERSHIP PATH STAGE 1: STANDARD
For the Novice and Sensory Curious
If you are just starting out, or if you have purchased the Wine Aroma Wheel and want to explore more, this is your home.
You want to become less intimidated by wine and learn through a sensory lens.
What’s Inside:
- 14-Day Onboarding: To discover the sensory approach to wine tasting and learn mindful smelling.
- Weekly New Resources: Video tutorials, tasting tips, and articles to explore on your own.
- Weekly Sip and Chat Meetups and Monthly Informal Tasting with the Wine Aroma Wheel, a great way to start your journey on the Path
- Community Access: Connect with like-minded wine explorers, get support from your tasting coach.
Your Membership Fee: $0/month - it’s free forever
MEMBERSHIP PATH STAGE 2: PREMIUM
For the Enthusiast who wants Guided Practice
Perfect for you if:
You have taken wine classes, but still struggle to describe what is in your glass.
You want to understand WHY you like or dislike specific wines, don’t you?
This stage takes you beyond "exploring" and into doing. It provides the structure you need to stop guessing.
The Premium Sensory Training creates the structure you need to improve your wine aroma description skills, one wine style at a time.
Premium is a group program that lets you design a monthly sensory training plan centered on a particular wine style.
Following the N.O.S.E. framework, you'll develop your training plan to learn a few new sensory attributes around the monthly theme.
However, your Tasting Coach provides:
- Structure for a successful training plan,
- Guidance and feedback on your plan and implementation,
- Support, and so do your peers.
Guided sensory training helps you unlock your senses to appreciate wine flavors.
We recommend a 3-month commitment (to yourself) to experience significant progress.
By the end of this 3-month program, you'll
- Feel more comfortable sharing what you perceive.
- Understand what sensory characteristics (and their origins) make you like or dislike a wine.
- Feel confident sharing these learnings with others.
Here's what a typical month looks like.
Week 1 - Theme Introduction
You attend a live class led by your Tasting Coach.
She introduces the monthly theme and provides pointers for developing and implementing your sensory training plan.
By the end of the class, you're grounded in the theme, have chosen realistic goals, and have committed to your monthly training objectives.
Weeks 2 and 3: Implementation
You select the sensory attributes you want to learn and create your training plan.
You practice the N.O.S.E. Framework intentionally at a pace that fits your schedule.
You get guidance from your tasting coach during weekly co-working sessions.
You're in control and feel supported.
Week 4: Practice aroma description
You attend the comparative tasting session to practice describing wine aromas.
You assess your progress and start moving the needle to more confidence in your description skills.
Your confidence in your description skills increases month after month.
You will feel comfortable sharing what you perceive without fear of being "wrong". You will gain the confidence to share your learnings with friends and family.
All sessions are recorded and uploaded to the Classroom within a couple of hours.
If you can't attend the live classes in person, submit your questions or tasting notes before the live calls, and your Tasting Coach will review them during the calls.
⭐ ⭐⭐ Within 3 months, you'll have learned to identify 12 to 18 wine aromas with more confidence.
Your Premium Membership Fee
Regular: $99/month ($897/year - 24% saving)
MEMBERSHIP PATH STAGE 3: VIP
For the Advanced Learner & Dedicated Taster
Perfect for you if:
You are ready to become proficient.
You want to build a serious sensory repertoire and need an "Implementation Engine" to keep you on track.
The VIP Sensory Training lets your Tasting Coach create your sensory training and implementation plans based on your objectives, the wine styles you wish to explore, and the aroma categories you want to master.
The VIP program is a 1-to-1 coaching program focusing on YOUR learning objectives, adapted to your needs and schedule.
Structured sensory training is the most efficient way to develop your wine sensory description skills.
This program is best suited for YOU if
- You want to experience rapid improvements in your aroma identification skills, or
- You want to pass a blind tasting exam with distinction and pride, or
- You’re an aspiring wine professional aiming to master your wine tasting skills, or
- You want accountability, personalized support, and progress tracking.
We recommend a 3-month commitment (to yourself) to maximize results.
By the end of this 3-month training, you'll
- Feel proficient in describing wine sensory perceptions precisely, with confidence,
- Have expanded your sensory repertoire,
- Be ready to deepen your wine knowledge through sensory tasting.
What's included each month:
- An onboarding call with your Tasting Coach to review your objectives, the aromas to focus on, and schedule to customize your training program (45-minutes)
- A Smell Training Plan created by Your Tasting Coach:
--> Assignments to Learn and Test 12 to 18 aromas and other sensory attributes in the following weeks.
-> Three live or asynchronous coaching sessions for flexibility to review progress and practice comparative sensory tasting (30 min each).
-> Prioritized access to your coach by Direct Message on the Skool platform.
🌟🌟🌟 Within 3 months, you'll have learned to identify 48 to 72 wine aromas with more confidence.
You will become proficient in describing wine precisely.
You will be the resource your friends turn to for advice, and you will feel confident sharing notes even with professionals.
Your Membership Fee
Regular: $667/month (3-month commitment recommended)
Your Guarantee
You can cancel at anytime.
Once you join, your rate is granted for as long as you’re an active member.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Curious Palates
I am a complete beginner. Which membership stage is best for me?
Start with the Standard (Free) level to get comfortable and start awakening your senses using the tutorials and following the monthly sensory challenges. Or jump into Premium to start tasting with guidance immediately.
How much time is required?
The Premium stage requires attending (or watching the replay) one guided tasting a month (60-90 minutes) and taking a30-45 minute class. The VIP stage is designed for those who can dedicate about two hours a week to follow the training plan and attend sessions with their coach.
Do I need to buy expensive wines?
For the sensory guided tastings, I provide a list of suggested wines (Max $30/bottle) that you can get online or close to you. However, you can select wines from your cellar or indulge in pricier wines, as long as they fit the description of the wine styles recommended for the tasting.
What if I can't find the same wine brands?
What are the days and times of the live classes?
To accommodate time zone differences, the live classes are hosted at 12:00 PM EST or 6:00 PM EST on Tuesdays. Schedules are subject to change based on members’ feedback.
I have already taken wine courses (WSET, etc.). Is this for me?
Yes. Many members have certifications but still struggle to describe their perceptions precisely and with confidence. If you know the theory but can't find the aromas, VIP is specifically designed to bridge that gap.
Can I upgrade to Premium or VIP later?
Yes, absolutely.
What if other participants don't trust my assessment?
We strive to host an inclusive and welcoming community. All the tastings have followed the same Golden Rule: your perceptions are always correct, because they are meaningful to you. Your Wine Tasting Coach will prompt you to describe these perceptions so that others can relate.
I’m in the free plan (Standard Stage), do I need to re-enroll in the Curious Palates Community?
No. If you’re happy with the community plan you’re in, you don’t need to do anything. You can always upgrade later.
Are You Ready to Trust Your Senses?
Time is of the essence.⏰
You have two choices:
✅...or join a community that empowers you to trust your own sense of smell and taste.
** Join the Curious Palates Today **
- Membership Stage 1 - Standard: Free
- Membership Stage 2 - Premium: $99/mo; $897/year
- Membership Stage 3 -VIP: $667/mo
