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How do Wine Aerators Work?
A wine aerator is a device that sits above a decanter or glass, allowing the maximum amount of air to flow through the liquid as it’s poured. In the past five years, many models of aerator have been introduced to the market, giving wine lovers a number of options for enjoying their younger wines by the glass, or by the bottle, hours earlier than they could with decanting alone.
Why aerate wine?
Most full-bodied reds require time to “breathe” in order for the flavors to mellow and blend for an ideal drinkable state. In fact, most wines under 15 years will benefit from aeration – this is why we often think the last glass out of a bottle tastes better than the first. Simply uncorking a bottle and allowing it to stand will not sufficiently aerate the wine – it needs more of the surface area of the wine exposed to get enough contact with air.
Do all wines need aeration?
Not all. The oldest and palest vintages should be enjoyed after only minutes out of the bottle – as they’ve reached their peak flavor in storage.
But, as most of us are not storing our wine bottles for years, or buying vintage cases at auction, our preferred brands will likely benefit from the use of an aerator or 30-90 minutes in a wide bottom decanter.
What kind of wine aerator should you buy?
That depends. Many models are for reds or whites only. Others have single uses, either by the glass or bottle. An ideal choice for wine lovers new to aeration is a multi-function aerator that can switch from bottle to glass.
Glass or Polycarbonate?
Several popular glass models are available on the market, but the lesser-known polycarbonate options are more practical in terms of longevity and functionality. The Wine Weaver is a fun, polycarbonate choice – it comes in a number of jewel tones and is engineered to allow maximum airflow by releasing the wine in small streams along the sides of the glass or decanter.
Prolong the Life of your Bottle
A word of caution: too much air can be a bad thing for your wine. Pair your wine aerator with a vacuum pump if you like enjoy the same bottle over several days. There’s nothing worse than having to throw out a half bottle of great wine that has been spoiled by resealing too much air in the bottle.
A great gift
Wine aerators are high on the must-have gift list for wine lovers for this Christmas. Give them as hostess gifts and you’ll be a big hit at this season’s holiday parties, where more than one great bottle of wine is sure to be served.
Do Wine Aerators Work?
Pour-through wine aerators are a relatively new addition to the wine accessory world, and the reviews are unanimous: they work.
They are especially useful for the average wine drinker who buys wine off the shelf, for consumption within a few weeks or months.
Most retail wine sellers don’t stock ripe vintages, opting instead for more affordable reds and whites from the previous 5-10 years. These wines are wonderful, high-quality options if you follow the cardinal rule of wine: Let it breathe.
Have you noticed that the last glass poured from a bottle tastes better than the first? That’s not the alcohol confusing your tastebuds, it’s the oxygen improving the wine over time. Amazing wines can be ruined by drinking them too soon out of the bottle, your $ 15-$ 20 bottle needs a little TLC to live up to its price.
New reds especially need air to ripen and allow the flavours to meld. As oxygen flows through the wine, the harshest elements are burned off, leaving a smoother, well-rounded taste.
Young whites also benefit from air, as they can come out of the bottle tart or overly tangy.
There are two preferred ways to allow your wine to breathe – decant or aerate.
Decanting –
Decanting was originally introduced to allow wine sediment to settle to the bottom of a vessel, and is largely used for deep, complex reds. Today, sediment is hardly an issue with wines, normally you can see through the bottle if decanting is necessary. The average rich red wine needs a minimum of an hour to breathe in a wide vessel. Many wine lovers don’t have this kind of time, especially when entertaining and serving several bottles over the course of a dinner or party.
Aerating –
For wine drinkers who like to enjoy single glasses, or a number of different wines in an evening, a wine aerator is the must-have gadget to ensure maximum enjoyment. Available in single glass or bottle sizes, (some wine aerators are versatile enough to do both) aerators sit between the glass or vessel, separating wine as it’s poured from the bottle into streams to allow maximum airflow in seconds, not hours.
Great for Parties
As well as being practical, wine aerators are fun to show off to guests. The next time you throw a party, make a point of pouring a glass through an aerator, and let your guests try both the oxygenated wine and the wine straight from the bottle. Most average drinkers can’t believe the difference in taste. You’ll be the host of the season, and establish yourself as a true aficionado.
Getting Wine Theme Kitchen Decor Work
Wine theme kitchen decor can add a touch of the rustic Mediterranean to your home. It can make your kitchen look stylish and upscale, especially if you do it in a way that works well. If you are going to remodel then you may wish to consider wine theme kitchen decor if it is something that would be in keeping with your character and personal taste.
It is easy to find kitchen decor accessories and accent pieces that have a vineyard theme. You can purchase such items at the stores in your municipality or via the internet. However, making the wine theme kitchen decor work well is a little trickier. As with every other room that is decorated with a particular theme you can easily make things look excessively garish if you don’t put some thought into what you are doing.
Start with the Basics
If you choose wine theme kitchen decor it is best to start with the basics before you buy any accent pieces or accessories that are reminiscent of vineyards. Begin by choosing materials and paint colors. Natural rustic materials such as stone, marble and granite tend to compliment wine theme kitchen decor.
You should also choose paint colors that are in keeping with your vineyard theme. For instance, warm yellow, oatmeal, terra cotta, leaf green and a light reddish-purple that is similar to the color of grapes could work very well in such a kitchen. Once you have chosen your materials and colors you will then be in a position to choose matching wine theme kitchen decor accent pieces and accessories.
Keep it Simple
When you are searching for wine theme kitchen decor accessories try not to go over the top. If you insist on making sure that every picture, bowl, plate, table cloth, dish towel and window dressing has a vineyard theme then the overall effect will be course and excessive. It is better to limit the number of wine theme kitchen decor items. The idea here is to suggest rather than insist. Stick a wine rack or two, some decorative bottles, a few ceramics, a candle holder and a couple of prints that have a vineyard theme.
If you don’t want your kitchen to look too complicated you had best avoid tablecloths, drapes, place mats and wall clocks with a wine theme, especially if they clash with the rest of the decor. By keeping it simple your kitchen will look classy and chic. If you have made it work well your guests will be reminded of elegant country homes in the heart of rural Italy rather than the latest discounts on offer at their local liquor store.
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