Are wine aerators really worth it?

[BC]

I am not a wine drinker, but have a friend who is. I am racking my brain to come up with a gift. I have never heard her mention having an aerator, but saw them on QVC and they raved about how much difference they make in the taste. Anyone know?

 

[pittsburghmarc]

Yes it can make a different but really only for well aged red wines. If your friend stores wines and lets them age appropriately, at least a few years, it would make a good gift.

If your friend is more of a casual drinker, I would recommend a set of good wine glasses. Reidel stemware is the gold standard, but they can be pricey.

 

[clh2]

One of my neighbors uses wine aerators. From what I understand - they are more for red wines, not so much white wines. (I'm not a big red wine drinker, so I couldn't tell the difference.) They supposedly help an inexpensive bottle of wine taste better. I thought they were ackward on the bottle, and I'm a klutz, so I would probably break one. My neighbors are glass.

My info - is only from my neighbor...she LOVES them. My parents drink a lot of wine, have taken a b'zillion wine drinking classes, my dad makes wine, I do not think they have one.

If she likes wine - does he or she have a great corkscrew?

As for QVC - keep in mind - they rave about any product they sell

 

[Witch Mountain]

If she's not a red wine drinker, is she using the usual twist style corkscrew? If so, I suggest a 'rabbit' style corkscrew. I love mine.

Here's one for an example. They sell them at Sam's and Costco, because I've purchased them as gifts for others.

http://www.amazon.com/Metrokane-Hou...8FNV/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1292686613&sr=8-4

 

[goodeats]

For us we use it often. I think it does help make the 'cheaper' bottles taste more drinkable. For us anything over $10 is a 'nice' bottle so we use ours alot! LOL. If you wanted a wine gift I also like those 'vacuum' sealers for wine bottles. You pump the air out so you can save the rest for another day.

 

[ndelaware]

We have a "Venturi" wine aerator. We like it alot and use it on all our red wines. I think it was $50 with the stand.

 

[HOGFAN]

couldnt tell the difference. we dont drink red tho. gift idea: one of those automatic bottle openers? I think Brookstone carries them.

 

[JessicaR]

If she is a red drinker and doesnt already have one, it would make a great gift!

 

[BC]

Thanks to all for your response!

 

[DisneyScraps]

We have a Venturi ad LOVE it. I have done head to head taste tests, red wines having used it and without it. Big difference. You don't need the stand, it makes more of a mess tha just holding it yourself and it's cheaper if you get it without the stand.

It would be a great gift if she drinks red wines.

Lisa

 

[TimeforMe]

And this is why I love the DIS This particular question has crossed my mind many times and I never actually asked anyone. Thanks to the OP for asking and thanks for all the replies.

 

[My2Cinderellas]

you should be able to find the Venturi aerator for $30-35 without the stand. I use my decanter for nice bottles of red, but if you don't have one or rarely drink a whole bottle at dinner the aerators are supposed to work well.