Let It Breath! ---------- VINTURI ($39)

I was introduced to the Vinturi during a tasting in Sonoma. At first I didn’t know what the tasting room person was doing by pouring their red wine through this clear, funnel-bullet shaped thing. I was so focused on watching the wine flow through it while hearing this fizzy, gurgling sound that I didn’t pay attention to the explanation of what the device was supposed to do. It became clear that air was being mixed into the wine while traveling through the Vinturi.

So fast forward to today and I’m on the hunt to get one of these things. It seems they’re popping up all over in small wine stores and even at some larger stores such as World Market. They cost around $39 and I must admit I’m impressed at what it does with red wines. You see I’m not so patient at waiting for red wine to decant (letting the wine breath before drinking and introducing oxygen into the wine to help “soften” it). Using the Vinturi sure takes the waiting out of this process and let’s you enjoy your wine immediately and by the glass if you want vs. a decanter. Did I mention I also don’t like to clean the decanter? Not that it gets dirty with wine but I do like to rinse and dry after using it.

Taken from the Vinturi website:

“When wine is poured in the Vinturi, it's internal design creates an increase in the wine's velocity and a decrease in its pressure. This pressure difference creates a vacuum that draws in air which is mixed with wine for perfect aeration.”

BETTER BOUQUET

Sample the nose. You'll appreciate the subtle aromatic differences and the full aroma of the wine. Vinturi allows wine to display its intended aromas.

ENHANCED FLAVORS

Go ahead, take a sip. Vinturi's wine tastes better. It is more flavorful and has better mouthfeel. It tastes like a richer, more expensive wine. It tastes like it was intended to and is more enjoyable.

SMOOTHER FINISH

Ahhhh. Vinturi's aeration is very effective at softening tannis which results in a much more pleasant finish. Any bitterness or bad aftertaste is reduced or eliminated.

You be the judge. Taste your next red wine before and after using a Vinturi. I think you’ll be impressed.

Please note, Vinturi did not send me a free device nor did they ask me to write this. I don’t want you to feel as if this is an advertisement for them. I just bought one of these and felt it was good enough to share with others.