Most days, around 4 p.m., if I’m not heading out in the car for the remainder of the day, I pop open a bottle of wine and pour myself a glass. I have to admit that it is usually a mad rush to get the bottle uncorked, the glass poured, and then raised up to my lips. I’m in need of something to ease the rush of trying to get dinner ready, while the kids are fighting, doing their homework or causing some sort of mayhem, that I rarely take the time to slow down and to enjoy the ritual of my wine. Most times there is nary a minute that transpires between the opening of the bottle and my consuming it.
I know, that’s not the way it’s supposed to be done. As any wine lover will tell you, most wines can benefit from a little breathing time (much as I could). But, most days, I don’t have the time to decant my wine, and frankly, I just don’t want to deal with the apparatus – my hands are already multi-tasking.
Although, now that I’ve tried the Aermate Wine & Spirits Aerator, I am taking a moment to breathe – and to let my wine breathe as well. This handy little tool is an easy way to aerate wine in just seconds — allowing me to keep up with the frantic pace I find myself in, while also allowing me to enjoy the full flavor potential of the wine I’m drinking.
Aerating, or decanting wine, is a way to expand the surface of the wine, allowing air to come in contact with more of the wine, so that the latent flavor inside can be unlocked. The result of this process softens the tannins found in the wine, producing a smoother finish (it kind of smooths the rough edges out – much like a little ‘breather’ does for me when things get hectic).
What makes the Aermate so handy in my kitchen (and my life) is that there is no need for decanters and the extra pouring required, because I can aerate the wine in the bottle, or directly in a glass. With a gentle squeeze of the bulb, the Microbubble Tip atomizes air, gently diffusing oxygen into the beverage. The pumping action moves the liquid around, and in just a few seconds, the Aermate unlocks the latent flavors inside. Offering a subtle, yet distinct difference of flavor, that I would not otherwise have enjoyed.
Not only does the Aermate prove to be handy in my mad moments during meal prep, but in the off chance we don’t finish a bottle, we vacuum seal it. The next day when we open that bottle, we aerate it again, and it is just as tasty as the night before.
And, for those times when we entertain, I keep the Aermate handy, as it is a tradition to open several different bottles to appease the different wine desires of our guests – white or red. What makes this tool even more versatile is that it can be used on liquor or spirits. It softens the harsh astringency of some spirits, mellows out and smooth the flavor of vodka, and add nuances of flavor of your favorite scotch whiskey that are not apparent when poured directly from the bottle.
With that in mind, I’m looking forward to my Dad’s next visit. We have a standing tradition to have a bottle of Bushmills Irish Whiskey on hand – this time, we’ll smooth things out a bit more with the Aermate. I’m sure he will appreciate the difference.
The Aermate Wine & Spirits Aerator is available for sale in a variety of fine retailers. Visit the company website for more information.
