David and I love wine.  We enjoy a glass or two a few nights a week with dinner.  Most of the time, we each prefer a glass of red wine.
I haven’t always been a wine lover.  In fact, until David and I started dating in October of 2007, I didn’t care for wine at all.  Like most novice wine drinkers, when I did drink wine, I tried sweet rosés.  Of course, I have no problems with a good rosé.  However, I severely limited myself, afraid to branch out.
David encouraged me to try other things. Thanks to his military career, he traveled the world, visiting over 20 countries. All the while, developing an appreciation for the wines each culture offered.  David had also enjoyed a wine-tasting tour in California when he worked for Microsoft and went on a work-sponsored retreat.  He relishes storing a variety of wines, so I grew accustomed to trying a taste of his wine from time-to-time.  I found that I prefer pinot noir, cabernet, shiraz, syrahs, and a rare blend.
Through the years, I have also learned to enjoy a variety of wines, so we keep our selection completely stocked. Why? Because not only do we enjoy having a glass occasionally, but a nice bottle also makes a great hostess gift.
This photo represents a small sub-selection of our current stock. We also have more in the pantry – plus two “special edition” wines. I have a “Game of Thrones” themed bottle, and DÃa de Muertos themed bottle. I also collect the corks.
Epcot Food and Wine Festival – Adult Disney Vacation
We both love delicious food and just-the-right-wine so much that we just got back from our vacation at Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival. We tried wines from around the world, including a new-to-me African Pinotage. With 35 different booths from many different countries, you could say the wine world became our oyster! It kinda took the sting out of having our vacation unexpectedly interrupted by Hurrican Irma, but that’s a story for a different post.  I don’t want to “whine” about that 🙂
Favorite ways to drink wine
So, upon returning from our vacation, I curiously polled my Facebook friends and asked them to share their wine drinking tips. I was surprised by their responses:
- David’s favorite advice: “Drink what you like.” Since most wine just boils down to fermented grape juice from a barrel at the end of the day, pair wine with what you like. Want a red burgundy with your tilapia? Then go for it! Nothing stops you from drinking whites at room temp or chilled reds. Be bold. Don’t be afraid to break with tradition.
- Don’t drink alone. Share with a good friend or intimate companion. Cooler days call for the warmth of a fireplace and an unusual bottle.
- Let your bottle breathe for about 30 minutes.
Alicia’s Favorite Wine Tip – Vinturi Wine Aerator
Have you seen the episode of “How I Met Your Mother” where Lily and Marshall host a wine tasting, and she becomes agitated because the guests insist she lets the bottle breathe? Yes, most high tannic wines such as Malbec, or inexpensive wines, really do taste better if you “air them out.” In fact, it wasn’t until I discovered this that I started enjoying wine. Since a wine bottle doesn’t allow enough of the liquid’s surface to contact with air, you need a decanter for this purpose. Depending on the wine’s age and type, ultimate softening takes between 10 and 30 minutes. But, want to know my secret for speeding this process along?
Using AKHomery’s venturi wine aerator virtually eliminates the need to use a decanter. The Venturi effect happens when liquid flows through a chokepoint. The effect decreases pressure but increases velocity. A Vinturi aerator is a glass tube within a tube. It also has two holes on either side that suck in air as liquid passes. Simply pour your wine through the aerator and directly into your glass. The aerator sends the wine through the tube and past the air-sucking holes to perfectly aerate your glass without a lengthy wait. Also, since it comes with a sediment filter, it’s useful for decanting vintage wines as well.
Typically, you don’t need to decant lighter body wines such as most whites, Pinot or Tawny ports. Vintage Portos, Malbecs, Cabs, Syrahs, blends, and cheap wines usually benefit from a little aeration to soften the tannins. But if all else fails, refer to David’s tip – drink it how you like it.
Other Thoughts
Currently, this is the only hand-blown glass vinturi aerator I am aware of. Since it’s glass, I don’t have to worry about BPA. However, I do want to find a case for this so I can travel with it in my purse. Too many restaurants do not have decanters, and I don’t want to wait 30 minutes to enjoy a glass with my meal, anyway. As a plus, AKHomery also offers a money-back guarantee. I’m keeping mine, though!
It’s also easy to clean. It comes with a stand that catches drips. But when you wine-enjoyment is complete, Â run clear water through the aerator.
This AkHomery Venturi aerator is a perfect gift for any wine lovers in your life. It arrives well-packaged. Just throw it in a gift bag with a lovely bottle of wine, and you are ready for the holiday season. It’s also the perfect size for a stocking-stuffer.
Check out this video I made showing how easy it is to make your red wine delicious in a hurry:
Your Turn
Do you drink wine?
What are some of your favorite wine tips?
Have you ever decanted or otherwise aerated your wine?
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, but all opinions are my own.
This is a sponsored post, but I never promote products that I do not use and enjoy
Alicia Taylor
We enjoy hosting parties and my husband and I are both avid gamers. You can find me on PS4 as SunshineFlaGirl. We also play tabletop RPGs and eurogames.
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24 Comments
Jenny
October 17, 2017 - 12:45 amWine festival at Disney? Sounds like my kind of event! Looks so tasty and fun.
Alicia Taylor
October 17, 2017 - 11:15 amIt was a lot of fun 🙂
Amber K
October 11, 2017 - 1:21 pmA good aerator makes the biggest difference in wine! Even the cheap stuff tastes better when you use one, making me one happy lady!
Adaleta Avdić
October 11, 2017 - 12:06 amHow nice when you can appreciate the taste and enjoy trying and experiencing different wines! So cool!
uprunforlife
October 10, 2017 - 1:23 pmI haven’t tried using a wine aerator. Typically, I don’t drink a ton of wine. Most of the wines are way too dry for my pallette.
Tim B
October 10, 2017 - 8:57 amI’ve never had a good sense of taste when it comes to wine. I asked my doctor if there might be a problem with my taste buds and he said it was more likely that my sense of smell isn’t that great. Seems like multiple senses are involved when it comes to tasting things and scent plays a part in the flavor of a wine. Learn something new everyday!
Everyday Made Fresh
October 9, 2017 - 2:49 pmI drink the occasional glass of wine, but don’t drink it that often. I’d love to give this a try, and branch out and try different wine varieties!
GiGi Eats Celebrities
October 5, 2017 - 8:48 amWhen it comes to wine, I need ALL the help I can get because I know nothing about it and I am the type to think they all taste the same. It’s a sad truth – hahaha!
Alicia Taylor
October 5, 2017 - 10:18 amIt all tasted the same to me in the beginning, too. Eventually, I was able to actually select ones I like. Try a Pinot Noir next to a Merlot. Trust me, you will be able to tell the difference.
chewoutloud
October 4, 2017 - 9:51 pmWe’re fans of great wine, and yes, aeration is huge! It makes the biggest difference on whether it’s tight vs. robust. And yeah, ultimately it comes down to “drink what you like.” We’ve often done blind taste testings where people “accidentally” choose the most expensive wines as their least fave – just never know 🙂
TheMrsTee
October 4, 2017 - 7:51 pmI’ve only just started enjoying wine and am still learning things. I had no idea there were so many tools to help make wine taste it’s best!
Berangere Gr
October 4, 2017 - 4:24 pmMy husband and I are also big wine lover! We came back from a trip in Argentina were we did a couple of wine tasting – and they mentionned leaving the bottle open to air the wine. They even said the longer the better! So now I am preparing my evening in advance, letting my wine breathe 🙂
Alicia Taylor
October 4, 2017 - 4:40 pmYou can do that, but I find it easier and faster to use an aerator. I would love to go to Argentina! That would be amazing.
Nancy at Whispered Inspirations
October 4, 2017 - 9:20 amThis sounds wonderful! It would actually make a really great Christmas gift.
Alicia Taylor
October 4, 2017 - 11:08 amIt would. It’s the perfect size for a stocking stuffer.
Kathy
October 4, 2017 - 8:37 amI love having a good wine sometimes. I don’t really drink much though. I have a few wine bottles in stock at home.
Jocelyn @ Hip Mama's Place
October 4, 2017 - 2:36 amThis is perfect for wine lovers! It would be a lovely gift but then again, I’d love to get one for the house. My husband and I enjoy drinking wine with friends, so this one’s useful!
Alicia Taylor
October 4, 2017 - 11:10 amMost of my friends don’t drink wine, but my sister does. I got her wine glasses for her birthday and thinking about getting this for her for Christmas. Angela (my sister), if you read this, pretend you didn’t. LOL.
fashionbeyondforty
October 3, 2017 - 11:25 pmI totally agree that an aerator does make a huge difference!
The Cubicle Chick
October 3, 2017 - 11:17 pmThe Wine Festival at Epcot is on my bucket list. I love some good wine. Cabernet Savignon is my favorite. – yolonda
Alicia Taylor
October 4, 2017 - 11:11 amCabs are great! The Food and Wine festival is great fun. I hope you get the opportunity to enjoy it sometime.
Sissy Johnson
October 3, 2017 - 10:16 pmI may need to invest in one of these. I like my occasional glass of wine as well.
fashionbeyondforty
October 3, 2017 - 3:09 pmOh I am so jealous of your wine stock! I keep several bottles around but generally I go through them before I can build up a nice stock! My husband does not care for wine even though he is willing to try it now and then. I am a bit of a wine snob and can not stand most boxed wines or cheap wines. That is one reason I have a hard time stocking up! Since the wine I love is more expensive I just do not have the income to support having a stash lol. I love Merlot and Chardonnay! I do aerate my wine as well.
Alicia Taylor
October 3, 2017 - 7:35 pmI love good wine, but I’ll make due with inexpensive wine if I have a good aerator. I’m lucky that my hubby enjoys it.