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- Vinturi-Great Tool or Marketing Gimmick?
I was a skeptic, but was given a red wine Vinturi aerator for my birthday. Over the weekend, several of us conducted blind comparisons of 6 wines-aerated versus non-aerated (I know, it was torturous but we sacrificed for the sake of science).
We all unanimously agreed that 5 of the wines (which included a $15 '03 Cali Syrah, a $10 '06 Argentinian Cab, a $25 '07 Cali Dolcetto, a $39 Cali Cab, and a $13 Chilean Pinot Noir) were improved by use of the Vinturi. Only one wine, a $65 '05 Australian Syrah was better unaerated (after aeration it lost some of it's fruit and didn't have the same full and silky mouthfeel that it did when left alone).
Am wondering what experiences others have had and what everyone's opinion of the Vinturi is. Also any thoughts on why the adverse impact on one out of 6 wines (especially one whose big bold nature I would have expected to benefit from the aeration).
Clearly more extensive study is warranted and I shall once again throw myself into the task.
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1746 - Reply by Gregory Dal Piaz, Sep 28.
I think it can change how a wine is perceived at a particular time after the bottle is poured.
Whether or not that is an improvement or not is up to the user.
The more you sit with the glass the less the impact of using the vinturi. Aggressive decanting can have the same affect, as can aggressive swirling in the glass.
If you enjoy using it it's great. If not you can save yourself a few dollars.
Bottom line I see the effect of the Vinturi as remarkably neutral.
