The Truth 🍷

It’s one of the most common bits of wine advice you’ll hear: “That wine needs to breathe.”
But what does that actually mean – and is it always true?

The short answer? Sometimes yes, sometimes no – and sometimes it can actually make the wine worse. Let’s break it down properly.

What Does “Breathing” Mean Anyway?

When people say a wine needs to breathe, they’re really talking about exposing the wine to oxygen. This happens when you:

• Open the bottle

• Pour the wine into a glass

• Decant it into a jug or decanter

Oxygen interacts with the wine, softening certain elements and allowing aromas to open up. Think of it as letting the wine stretch its legs.

Wines That Benefit from Breathing

🍷 Big, structured reds

Some wines genuinely improve with air, especially:

• Cabernet Sauvignon

• Shiraz

• Malbec

• Nebbiolo

• Young, tannic reds (anything less than 5 years old)

These wines can feel tight or closed when first opened. A bit of oxygen can:

• Soften tannins

• Open up dark fruit flavours

• Reduce harsh or grippy edges

If a red tastes a bit firm or shy at first, give it 60 minutes and see how it changes.

Wines That Don’t Need Breathing (and Can Suffer From It)

❌ Light, fresh, delicate styles

Not all wines want oxygen. In fact, many are made to be enjoyed straight away, including:

• Rosé

• Sparkling wine

• Sauvignon Blanc

These wines are all about freshness and vibrancy. Too much air can flatten flavours and dull their appeal.

Sparkling wine is the biggest no-no, oxygen is literally what makes the bubbles disappear.

Does Opening the Bottle and Leaving It Help?

This is a common myth.

Simply opening a bottle and letting it sit does very little, because only a small surface area of wine is exposed to oxygen. If you want air to make a difference:

• Pour it into a glass, or

• Decant it

Swirling your glass is often enough for most wines.

Do You Need a Decanter?

Not always.

Decanters are useful for:

• Young, powerful reds

• Older wines with sediment

But for everyday drinking?
A decent swirl in the glass does the job just fine.

If a wine improves over the course of a glass, that’s your clue it enjoys a bit of air.

How to Tell if Your Wine Needs Air

Here’s an easy test anyone can do:

1. Take a sip as soon as you pour

2. Swirl the glass and wait 5–10 minutes

3. Taste again

If it smells better, tastes softer, and feels more expressive – oxygen helped.
If it starts to fade or lose freshness – it didn’t need it.

The Simple Rule to Remember

Most wines don’t need to breathe — but some benefit from it.

If in doubt:

• Light wines → drink and enjoy

• Big reds → give them a bit of time

And remember: wine is meant to be enjoyed, not overthought.

Need a Hand Choosing the Right Wine?

If you’re ever unsure whether a wine will suit your style – or how to enjoy it at its best – just reach out. We’re always happy to help you find something you’ll love (no decanter required).

Cheers,
Kirk 🍷