Drinking wine is always an experience, but if you’re not unlocking the full flavor potential of every bottle, you could be missing out on the greatest tasting adventure. Reds are notorious for flavor-altering tannins, which is why they’re the wines that benefit most from aeration.

What is aeration, and how can it improve your sipping experience? Which red wines benefit most from the aeration process?

Why Aerate Your Wine?

Aeration is a process that involves exposing wine to oxygen. Red wines (and whites, to a lesser degree) feature chemical compounds called tannins that have a bitter, astringent quality, characterized by a dry mouthfeel. 

Exposure to oxygen reduces the concentration of tannins, creating a softer mouthfeel and revealing the bouquet so that you can experience the full range of aromas and flavors.

Taszaerator® Pro is ideal for aeration, with an innovative, three-chambered design that speeds the aeration process. Full-bodied reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah/Shiraz, Barolo, Bordeaux, and Malbec benefit the most from aeration. What will you gain in the process?

1. Cabernet Sauvignon

Prized for notes of dark fruit like blackcurrants and plums, earthy hints of cedar and tobacco, and spicy overtones of vanilla and black pepper, the complexity of full-bodied cabernet sauvignon can be lost among the sharp flush of tannins.

The Taszaerator® Pro unveils your journey through an intricate bouquet by softening tannins and enhancing the richness of dark fruit that makes up the bulk of the flavor profile. When properly aerated, cabernet sauvignon is the perfect companion for a hearty steak or roasted lamb.

Price Range Recommendations for Cabernet Sauvignon

• Budget: Louis M. Martini Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon (under $20)
• Mid-Range: Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (under $110)
• Luxury: Opus One Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (over $500)

2. Syrah/Shiraz

Syrah/Shiraz varietals are known for dense, fruity flavors like blackberry, paired with smoky, peppery notes and complementary tones of chocolate, coffee, and even smoked meats. Rich and well-rounded, these varieties tend to feature medium-to-high levels of tannins.

When tannins trample the marriage of vigorous flavors in Syrah/Shiraz, the Taszaerator® Pro is the perfect option to easily aerate and start sipping your favorite Aussie reds. This wine type is lovely with grilled meats and BBQ, as well as strong blue cheese and sharp, smoky cheddar.

Price Range Recommendations for Syrah/Shiraz

• Budget: Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz (under $15)
• Mid-Range: Two Hands Bella’s Garden Shiraz (under $100)
• Luxury: Penfolds Grange (over $700)

3. Barolo

This coveted Italian red is a refined blend of fruity, floral, earthy, and herbal flavors, including dried cherry, rose petal, truffle, and eucalyptus, along with hints of licorice, leather, and tar. It’s a robust and mature wine suitable for lovers of moody reds.

It’s also known for some of the firmest tannins around, thanks to its origins in thick-skinned Nebbiolo grapes. If you don’t want to wait a decade or more for this slow-aging variety to hit peak flavor profiles, the Taszaerator® Pro can make this enchanting wine supremely palatable much more quickly.

Once you’ve popped the cork and aerated your glass, enjoy your Barolo with rich, savory dishes like veal chops, duck breast, or truffle risotto.

Price Range Recommendations for Barolo

• Budget: Paolo Scavino Barolo (under $60)
• Mid-Range: Vietti Barolo Castiglione (under $100)
• Luxury: Gaja Barolo (under $150)

4. Bordeaux Blends

Bordeaux is a medium-to-full-bodied red known for a bold, plush palate of fruity blackcurrant and plum offset by earthy, mineral notes of tobacco, gravel, graphite, and clay. It’s not for the faint of heart, especially considering prominent, prickly tannins.

Aeration with a Taszaerator® Pro will soften the edges of those first sips, helping delicate fruit notes to shine amid more earthy, robust flavors. Hearty stews featuring game meats like venison are a great choice to pair with Bordeaux blends, as are dark chocolate desserts.

Price Range Recommendations for Bordeaux

• Budget: Château de Parenchère Bordeaux Superieur (under $25)
• Mid-Range: Château Talbot Saint-Julien (under $100)
•  Luxury: Château Margaux (over $800)

5. Malbec

A dry, full-bodied red malbec serves up jammy dark cherry and plum with notable undertones of vanilla, chocolate, coffee, tobacco smoke, and spice. This wine tends to feature assertive tannins, which can easily be addressed with the application of a Taszaerator® Pro.

When complex aromas and a velvety mouthfeel are unleashed, malbec is ideal for pairing with musky game meats like bison and venison, hearty pasta like Bolognese, or veggie dishes like roasted eggplant and sautéed spinach. It’s also great with more casual meals like a meat lover’s deep-dish pizza.

Price Range Recommendations for Malbec

• Budget: Alamos Malbec (under $15)
• Mid-Range: Catena Malbec (under $25)
• Luxury: Achaval Ferrer Finca Altamira Malbec (under $150)

How Taszaerator® Pro Optimizes Aeration for These Wines

Red wines that benefit most from aeration will become drinkable dreams with a hefty dose of oxygen from the Taszaerator® Pro. Suitable for use with most corked or screw-top bottles, this handy device pops right in the top to begin pouring in seconds.

The innovative, three-chamber design exposes more liquid surface area to oxygen as you pour, maximizing aeration potential and softening tannins for your sipping pleasure. 

Discreet, compact, and portable, the Taszaerator® Pro can go anywhere in a pocket or purse so that you always have it on hand when you want to bring out the complexity of a Cabernet or Bordeaux and enjoy the richest, most flavorful tasting experience.

Aerate for Superior Sippability

There’s no need to suffer the mouth-puckering anguish of aggressive tannins when you open a younger bottle of full-bodied red wine. Make the most of every sip with the exceptional aeration offered by the Taszaerator® Pro. Sign up today and receive 15% off your first order.