Swirling aerates the wine, allowing it to come into contact with oxygen, thus releasing scents.
It is true that wine are also drunk and swallowed without paying much attention. Much of a person perceive as taste is simply by smell, what all that is a relevant component in tasting wine. https://dalgaard-osborne.federatedjournals.com/ruou-hennessy-vsop-di-san-cua-viec-tinh-te-va-dang-cung-cap