With seemingly countless options on the market, buying a wine aerator can quickly become a daunting task. To help, we’ve prepared this handy guide with all the information you need to know about these nifty tools. Let’s take a look!
Decanters and wine aerators are often mistaken as the same thing because they both serve a similar purpose — to oxygenate the wine — but they differ in many ways and have different benefits. A decanter features a large glass carafe and a narrow neck that provides maximum surface area for the wine to breathe. This process removes sediment and tannins, which can cloud the wine’s color and smell. Decanters can take anywhere between 30 minutes to four hours to work.
Also known as wine filters, aerators are funnel-like tools that utilize a special bernoulli effect to increase oxygen exposure, making the wine more aromatic and flavorful within a few seconds. Aerators are available in different shapes and sizes, but they all have one thing in common: they’re designed to pour wine into a glass without splashing it around too much.
You should also consider the design of the wine aerator before buying one for your home bar or kitchen countertop. Some models come with drip spouts that sit directly on top of the bottle and allow you to use them while pouring wine directly from the bottle while others have separate chambers that need to be filled first before pouring your drink. Wine aerators are also available in different shapes, including those shaped like champagne flutes or pitchers.
Whatever design you choose, make sure it’s easy to use.
The material used to make an aerator determines how long it will last before breaking down or becoming ineffective at filtering out impurities from the wine. From plastic and acrylic to stainless steel, wine aerators are available in a range of materials.
Stainless steel and acrylic aerators offer superior durability and performance compared to plastic ones because they have a wider opening, which allows more air to flow through the liquid. The aerator should be made of food-grade, BPA-free material so you don’t have to worry about harmful chemicals coming in contact with the wine and influencing the taste.
Most wine aerators are designed for regular-sized bottles with a bore diameter of 18.5 millimeters, but there are some models that can handle larger magnum bottles as well. You’ll also want to consider whether or not the wine aerator is compatible with the kind of bottle you normally drink.
Ideally, it should fit securely over every wine bottle and ensure maximum aeration while keeping your precious vintage safe from spills and splashes during pouring. For a secure and snug fit, make sure the aerator you choose comes with a rubber or silicone gasket.
Since these aerators come with ultra-dense filters, you’ll want one that’s easy to clean and won’t harbor any smells or leftover flavors from the wine you previously aerated. If you don’t want to spend hours cleaning out all of those small holes with a toothpick, we recommend opting for a model that can be disassembled within seconds so you can wash it either by hand or by placing it in a dishwasher.
Made from high-quality food-grade material, this wine aerator won’t affect the flavor of your wine, and it’s easy to clean so you can use it again and again. What’s more, this handy wine aerator comes with a travel case so you can take it on all your wine-tasting adventures. Because of its efficiency, versatility and food-safe material, we’ve picked this wine aerator as the best overall choice on our list.
For dramatically enhancing the aroma and mouthfeel of your vino, consider using the Vintorio Wine Aerator. Featuring a large aerating chamber and an efficient air intake system, this wine aerator provides the maximum amount of oxygen to your wine, allowing you to enjoy a full-bodied flavor without any bitterness or astringency. Plus, the tapered and ribbed rubber gasket prevents dripping, while the ergonomically slanted acrylic pour spout makes it easy for you to pour without making any mess.
What’s more this wine aerator is compatible with both cork and screw-top bottles, making it an all-around solution for your favorite drinks. Unlike fragile decanters, this wine aerator is made of high-quality materials to last through many uses without breaking down. No matter what kind of wine you’re pouring, this aerator will give it an extra kick that’ll make every sip better than the last.
The TenTen Labs Wine Aerator is the perfect addition to any wine lover’s arsenal. This aerator is designed with a plate regulator, air holes and an air tube that infuses just the right amount of oxygen into your wine, enhancing the mouthfeel of your wine. Featuring a tapered seal, this wine aerator prevents dripping and allows you to enjoy your wine at its peak flavor.
For added comfort and stability, this wine aerator features an easy-to-grip silicone body that allows for easy handling while minimizing drips and spills. With an elegant and regal design, this wine aerator makes a perfect gift for any wine connoisseur and will stand out on even the fanciest bar cart.
The Vinturi Wine Aerator is a compact and affordable product that makes a dramatic difference in the taste of wine. Featuring a patented design, this wine aerator has a 750-milliliter aerator chamber with a unique filtration system that removes sediment and improves the bouquet and flavor of your wine by mixing oxygen with the wine, resulting in a smoother finish.
Made from 304 food-grade stainless steel, its ultra-dense filters remove sediment and impurities from your wine so you can enjoy it without any bitterness. Plus, the whole aeration mechanism is housed in a BPA-free acrylic material that provides a crystal clear view of the process so you can watch the wine transform into art. On top of that, this aerator comes with a velveteen pouch, so you can take it with you anywhere.
Whether you want to enhance the flavor of Cabernet Savignon or improve the smoothness of Merlot, the ZORTUNG Wine Aerator will breathe life into your favorite wines. With a unique stirring design, this wine aerator mixes the wine evenly with air, allowing the wine to fully develop its aroma and flavor.
Want to experience a wine in its purest form? The Rabbit Wine Aerator is all you need. Featuring an easy pour design, this aerator allows for a more complete and thorough infusion of oxygen into the wine, resulting in a smoother, more balanced taste profile in your beverage. Featuring a silicone base that not only fits different wine bottles but also makes it easy to pour into the glass without any mess, this wine aerator offers a perfect combination of functionality and durability. Plus, it has stainless steel accents that add sophistication to your bar or wine cart so you can serve and preserve your wine in style.
A: To use a wine aerator, simply insert it into the neck of a bottle of wine and press down firmly so that it locks into place. Gently pour the wine through the spout into your glass until it stops dripping. The device will filter out any sediment and enhance the taste of your wine in seconds.
A: You can use an aerator for both red and white wines, but some people prefer not to use them with sparkling wines because they can cause over-carbonation and make the bubbles go flat more quickly.
A: Even though wine aerators come equipped with a rubber gasket that provides a secure seal, they do not prevent oxygen from entering the bottle. For optimal preservation, we recommend removing the wine aerator from the bottle as soon as you’re done pouring it and using a cork to store the wine.
