According to the esteemed American dictionary, Merriam-Webster, the word “holiday” is defined as “a day of freedom from work.” I recently had to look this up whilst in a state of minor confusion, because it seemed that the further we got into the season of festivities, the more labour there was to be done. Of course, it was all great fun and well worth the effort to host cherished family and friends from here and abroad. But even the most happily social of humans are often – much like a good bottle of wine – at their best after they have had a proper rest.
So, even if you’re still in the midst of a multitude of celebratory soirées, now is a great time to receive a lesson from our beloved bottles, who have learned the secret of achieving excellence through – literally – taking time to breathe.
Easy Aeration – Not every wine you plan to drink needs to be aerated. For example, a more fragile red wine can become undrinkable if it is exposed to too much air. And some white wines, such as a sauvignon blanc, can lose their aromatic qualities with aeration. But when you let wine breathe under proper circumstances, this can help to reveal the subtle aroma and flavour notes of your vintage. Some simple ways to aerate include:
- Swirling – Swish your white or red wine around in your glass to speed up the aeration process.
- Pouring into a wine decanter – Allow the wine to sit in the decanter for several minutes to two hours before serving.
- Double decanting – Aerate the wine in the decanter, then pour it back into the wine bottle before serving.
- Using a wine aerator – For a simple shortcut, clip an aerator onto the wine bottle and pour as usual.
A Deeper Dive to Help You Decide – Want to get a little more exact about the ideal amount of breathing time for your wine? Here are a few things to consider:
- Helpful homework – Finding out more about the wine’s characteristics and recommended aeration time can make a big difference in your wine drinking experience, especially if you’re dealing with a high-end bottle.
- Sip a Sample – Pour a very small amount of wine into your glass right after opening the bottle to investigate the wine’s aroma and taste. Unpleasant notes such as sulfur, rubber or an overwhelming tannic taste are a clear sign that you must let the wine breathe.
- Take a Cue From the Hue – Red wine loses its hue as it ages. So, if the wine is old and appears lighter in colour, aerate it for no more than 15 minutes. If you have an aged wine with a bright red or inky hue, it can be decanted for approximately 30 minutes. And always decant mature wine (that has been aged in the bottle for at least eight years) to remove its sediment.
Ready to relax into the new year with a beautifully bespoke wine wall or cellar built to match your personal style? Just give us a call or shoot us a text or email at your convenience. Team EWC is excited to partner with you on your creative visions for 2023!