If you are in the market to purchase wine accessories, a classic question is should you use a wine aerator with a decanter? Many wine enthusiasts insist that it is very important to combine the use of both of these wine gadgets the get the optimal taste out of your wine. It is important to understand the purpose of each though, because each device can be used individually to attain similar results, although the time frame for use is typically quite different.
First, we must go over what these two wine gadgets are to fully understand how they can work together. A wine aerator is a device that is designed to help your wines "breathe" by infusing air bubbles throughout your wine as it pours through the aerator. After the aeration process, the wine is much easier to drink, and most wine enthusiasts report that the flavors and aromas of their wines come through much clearer. Gone are the harsh and bitter flavors that occasionally accompany the first taste of a newly opened bottle of wine, but instead, the wine has been given the opportunity to breathe and even out, so that you can enjoy the wine without waiting for it to air out on its own. People report that all wines benefit from this aeration process, whether low cost, expensive, red or white.
A wine decanter on the other hand, is designed to allow the wine to breathe similarly, but takes a much longer process. Once wine is entered into a decanter, you are expected to let it sit for several hours prior to drinking it. While a wine aerator infuses oxygen bubbles into the wine to make the process happen quickly, a wine decanter is meant to let the wine sit and aerate on its own. Wine decanters are specially designed to encourage the aeration process but it does take a bit of time for it to occur.
Many people actually use these two items simultaneously to get the best result, by using a wine aerator which dispenses the wine into a wine decanter. This will allow for optimum time for the wine to aerate, and is very beneficial if you are slowly drinking a wine or have the time to let one sit. For those people who are in a hurry, an aerator may be your only option. But for those individuals at a dinner party, expecting guests, or tasting a wine over a period of several hours, it is a fine idea to aerate the wine so it tastes delicious from the first sip, but then to allow the rest of the wine to sit in a decanter to continue to aerate over several hours. Your wine will simply continue to get better over time.
If you are considering purchasing both items, look at all of your options to find a set of a decanter and aerator that work well together. Should you use a wine aerator with a decanter- the answer is yes if it is for the right purpose, so fully understand your needs before making the investment.