Do Wine Aerators Really Work?

Wine aerators have been lauded by many for their effectiveness and the time they save, which is usually faster than the traditional method used to decant wine.

Aeration is a process in which the air is let to be circulated through a mixed substance or liquid in order to purify it's taste and give it a clean and dissolved texture. This process is important for wines as they are fermented and stored for a long period of time.

But during this storage or fermentation period in the wine cellars the wine does not get any air circulated through it. This can give it a very concentrated and bitter taste. Although there have been mixed reviews in the market, the usage of these aerators have proved to be beneficial with most wines.

Earlier, the ways to aerate wine were as simple as to pour it in the glass and slightly stir it around to let some air pass through the liquid. But when people realized that this doesn't change much of the bitter taste, wine aerators came into being.

There are a number of instruments that can be used for this process. Some can be in the form of cascades, cones or paddle wheels wherein the air is passed through the liquid and efficiently circulated through it to filter the unwanted odors and tastes.

Other means of circulation are Venturi tubes, aeration turbines, and compressed air methods like diffusers (both fine bubble and coarse bubble) to be removed. These aerators are generally cones or funnels which have a tiny diffusion unit in the center and a narrow opening at the bottom to let the aerated wine flow into the glass.

The process of aeration is also called decanting your wine, as the whole method of putting the wine through the funnel is to let it come in contact with oxygen as to have it "breathe". When the wine breathes, and comes alive with the oxygen, the taste automatically changes and gives it a fragrant aroma.

All the aerator does is diffuses the fine and coarse bubbles through the decanter and filters it into the glass kept at the opening of its lower end. This diffusion process not only gives it an impressive taste but changes the color to a rich and clear red or white.

First of all, open the bottle with a corkscrew and set the glasses for your guests. Hold the aerator over the top of the wine glasses' mouth and make sure not to cover the holes on the sides of the aerator as it won't work. Pour the wine through the aerator and let it flow gently into the glass through the diffusion unit and loosen the wine.