Why You Need to Let White Wine Breathe Before You Drink It

"Letting wine breathe" simply means exposing the wine to air through aeration. Aeration "opens up" wine's flavors and aromas, and it's most commonly used to soften the tannins in red wines. This can be done by decanting, swirling in a wine glass, or using a wine aerator.

However, when it comes to white wines, it's believed they won't benefit much from aeration. While this is true for some lighter varieties like Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling that can be too delicate for aeration, many richer white wines like Chardonnay, Viognier, and Muscat are enhanced by the aeration process too.

» Wine aerator vs. decanter: see the difference

Why Let White Wine Breathe

Here are three reasons why it's favorable to let white wine breathe:

1. Aeration lets white wine reach its full potential. Oxygenating white wine helps develop its inherent complexity and release its natural aromas.
2. Aeration helps break down sulfites and other preservatives found in white wine, reducing the symptoms of a hangover such as headaches and nausea.
3. Aeration softens astringent tannins, making heavier white wines smooth and mellow. This is especially useful for unoaked chardonnay.

» Learn whether you should aerate cheap wines

Aerate White Wine to Get the Most Out of It

Letting white wine breathe through aeration holds various benefits for the wine's quality, as you can see above. If you're interested in trying aeration to get the most out of your wine, you can easily do so with products such as the Mayu Swirl, which mimics the swirling motion of a whirlpool. This way, it infuses the wine with air to draw out the full flavor of your favorite white wine.

» Elevate your wine-drinking experience with Mayu Swirl