How to let wine breathe

Getting into the world of wine drinking can be a daunting task. We all know drinking wine has a sense of poshness and elegance, especially in a fine dining setting. This article will tell you how long to let your wine breathe and what the process entails.

Why Let Your Wine Breathe?

Before we get into how long, let’s first know how to let your wine breathe.

Much like humans, the ‘breathing’ of the wine has something to do with oxygen. Letting your wine breathe is the process where the drink is exposed to oxygen before drinking.

How to let wine breathe without a decanter

It’s a belief among many wine connoisseurs that aeration can lead to more vibrant and soft flavors of the wine.

As the oxygen mixes with the wine, it will release the aroma and soften the flavors of the drink. Some winemakers and sommeliers believe that the tannins can be oxidized by aerating the wine.

Letting the wine breathe is done with a decanter or bottles. The aeration leaves the wine open and enables the air to blend into it.

This practice is new, as it cannot be traced back historically. The approach seemed to be more popular once bottled wines

how long does red wine have to breathe

how long should red wine be left to breathe