Vinturi Wine Aerator

Wine Club Member Larry A (Bin #177) asked me what I thought of the Vinturi Wine Aerator. I told him I’d demo the product and let him know. A couple nights ago I opened it up, it’s an attractive, sleek looking device that you pour your wine through as it goes into the glass.

The theory is that the Vinturi allows the wine to aerate, or breathe instantly. The important part is how it affects the taste of wine. We opened a bottled of Reininger Merlot and tasted it poured right into a glass, and poured through the Vinturi.

The difference is instantly noticeable. The aroma on the Vinturied wine comes across as more ripe and floral, and the flavor is more broad and generous, with a little more smoothness. These are the same effects that can be achieved by decanting a bottle of wine.

I often decant wine, on a young affordable wine, decanting improves flavor by allowing the wine breathe and partially oxidize, which allows the aroma and palate to open up it’s expression. On well made wines that are tight and tannic in their early expression, decanting for several hours sometimes is needed to relax the fruit and let the tannins give way to smootheness.

Decanter vs. Vinturi?

My verdict is Yes. When one has the time, the drama and presentation of a beautiful Riedel decanter full of red wine, poured into a set of high quality Riedel glassware is the best way to artfully enjoy great wine. I wouldn’t feel right about rushing into a Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape, or giving myself 1/2 an hour to drink down a Bertani Amarone. These are great wines that deserve to be treated with respect.

On the other hand, when time is short and I’m pouring a tight young wine for friends at an improvised party, the Vinturi is an excellent way to let the wines show their fullest expression. In our time-rushed society, this is a useful gadget for any wine lover.

We now carry these in stock at all times. The Vinturi package comes with a classy stand for the Vinturi, a handy carrying/storing bag, and a manual. This presents well as a gift too!

–Russell Mann

$39.99 each

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