Benefits of Wine Aeration
To Aerate or Not To Aerate That Is The Question
Wine is a living thing. Perhaps you’ve picked up that any bottle of wine will taste differently depending on the day you decide to pull the cork. Wine is complex and ever-changing; the reactions between air, acids, alcohols, tannins, and pigments really transform the wine’s personality through time.
Sometimes, even the best of wines is having a bad day, and it doesn’t perform like it should; sometimes in front of your friends. Other times, wine is just too young and snug to show its potential, and you end up looking bad again, in front of everyone.
This is a relationship my friend, between you and your wine, and it’s your job to make it feel comfortable, relaxed, and ready to go.
Luckily for us, wine lovers, there are ways to make wine shine, even when it doesn’t want to, and aeration is probably the most effective, and yet the least known method around.
What is aeration anyway?
Wine reacts with oxygen in mysterious ways. When in the bottle, we want little or no oxygen to be in contact with our precious liquid, since it might oxidize it, ruining it forever. But when poured, oxygen unfolds aromas and opens up the wine's, sometimes tight, structure. That’s why we swirl our glasses, don’t we?
A wine aerator opens a freeway for wine to slide through a sophisticated, yet simple mechanism that makes oxygen kiss every last drop of wine; as it falls into our glasses, it has been provoked, lured to give up all its marvelous scents.
A must have wine tool for wine lovers everywhere, the Vinaer 7 Function Wine Aerator by Vinotive can be found in the professional service of noted wineries, tasting rooms and restaurants across North America.
The Vinaer wine aerator decants and aerates wine instantly as you pour. It is simple to use and allows 360° pouring, using just one hand. The air mixing chamber instantly aerates the wine while pouring, significantly improving the taste, flavor and finish. Seven built-in dual-functional tubes are supported by eight small vents positioned at the grid edge. The built-in micro fine filter protects against cork residue and other impurities. A non-drip stainless steel collar ensures no precious wine is ever spilled. The air tight cap preserves the quality and flavor of the wine, so you can save and enjoy your wine the next day.
When to aerate then?
Almost any wine will benefit from some oxygenation; young wines will release their fruit-forward aromas easier, making them immediately enjoyable. Even white wines will prove to be more complex than you thought after passing through your aerator.
Tight wines like rich reds, wines made to age, wines with a ruthless construction and others alike will prove more accessible years before time mellows them naturally. Some wines need over a decade to soften and give up their generous bouquets, not anymore.
So, can you tell the difference? Try pouring a few ounces of wine as soon as you pop up the cork. Smell it, try it, and smell it some more. Then do the same thing through an aerator, the wine will tell you what it needs.
To sum it up, listen to your bottle of wine, really listen. There’s much you can do to let it show its best. The finest wines, both red and white, are usually a bit shy, and it’s your duty to give them a voice, a place under the spotlight.
Aerate your wine and let it breathe, I guarantee you’ll develop your palate twice as fast; you won't have to deal with uptight wines anymore, and you’ll enjoy your favorite bottles like never before. Sometimes, wine just needs a little push, or a free ride through your favorite wine aerator.
KEY BENEFITS OF WINE AERATION
- Softens Harsh Tannins: Oxygen triggers polymerization, where tannin molecules bond together, reducing the astringent, "puckering" sensation common in young red wines.
- Enhances Aromas: Aeration allows volatile compounds to evaporate, releasing the wine's hidden floral and fruit notes that may have been trapped in the bottle.
- Reduces Unpleasant Odors: Evaporation helps dissipate undesirable "reductive" smells like sulfur (rotten eggs) or excessive ethanol (harsh alcohol sting).
- Balances Flavor: By mellowing acidity and reducing bitterness, aeration creates a smoother, more harmonious mouthfeel.
- Accelerates Maturity: For young, "tight" wines, aeration mimics the aging process, making a young bottle taste more complex and approachable in minutes rather than years.
WHICH WINES BENEFIT
- Young, Bold Reds: Varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Malbec, and Bordeaux blends often require aeration to help them "open up".
- Full-Bodied Whites: Oak-aged whites such as Chardonnay or White Rioja can benefit from a little air to integrate their richer, buttery notes.
- Reductive Wines: Wines that smell of smoke or rubber due to oxygen-free winemaking benefit significantly from immediate aeration.
