How long do you let old wine breathe?

It's great that you're thinking about letting your wine breathe! However, there's no one-size-fits-all answer to how long you should let a wine breathe. It depends on several factors:

1. The Wine's Age:

* Young Wines (under 5 years): These wines often benefit from a short aeration (15-30 minutes) to allow volatile aromas and flavors to open up.

* Mature Wines (5+ years): Older wines generally don't need much, if any, breathing. Over-exposure to air can actually damage their delicate aromas.

2. The Wine's Type:

* Red Wines: Reds, especially those with tannins (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah), usually benefit from breathing to soften their tannins and allow aromas to develop.

* White Wines: Most whites benefit from minimal aeration or none at all. Too much air can lead to oxidation and loss of flavor.

* Sparkling Wines: Don't let sparkling wines breathe! They are best enjoyed fresh, as air can cause them to go flat.

3. The Wine's Condition:

* Corked Wine: If you suspect your wine has been affected by cork taint (a musty odor), breathing will not improve it. It's better to discard the bottle.

* Faulty Wine: If your wine has other flaws (oxidation, vinegar-like smell), breathing will not fix it.

Instead of "breathing time," think in terms of "exposure to air":

* Decanter: Pouring a wine into a decanter exposes a larger surface area to air, allowing for faster aeration. 15-30 minutes is generally sufficient.

* Glass: Simply pouring wine into a glass provides some exposure to air. It takes longer to open up than a decanter, but it's a good option for casual enjoyment.

* No Breathing: Some wines, like whites and older reds, are best enjoyed without any extra air exposure.

Remember: There is no right or wrong answer, it's about personal preference! Experiment with different methods and see what works best for you.