Vinturi's V1010 Wine Aerator Noticeably Improves Taste

We purchased the Vinturi V1010 Essential Red Wine Aerator so our reviewer could put it to the test in her kitchen. Keep reading for our full product review.

Whether you’re a casual wine drinker or someone who can distinguish the myriad flavor notes in your favorite glass, you’re probably interested in making your vino taste as good as possible. That’s why we were interested to see if the Vinturi Wine Aerator, a nifty tool designed to enhance the flavor of red wine, would actually do what it claims to. So, in the name of research, we uncorked a bottle and got to work seeing if even a novice like us could taste the difference. Read on for our verdict. 

Performance: Noticeable difference in taste 

Full disclosure: We are casual wine drinkers and new to the concept of wine aerators. That said, we’re fascinated by the science of winemaking and were excited to research how tiny adjustments could make such a drastic change in taste. If you’re not familiar with wine aerators, they’re pretty basic tools. Essentially, they work by introducing oxygen to your wine, which sets off two processes: evaporation and oxidation. The first allows volatile compounds (like sulfites) to vaporize, while the latter enhances underlying fruity or nutty tones. 

Aerators can’t really harm your wine, but they generally work best with complex red wines. 

This in mind, we picked up a Spanish red from the brand Campo Viejo. With our 2016 Rioja Tempranillo uncorked and ready, we opened up the Vinturi Wine Aerator. Immediately, we smelled a strange, plastic scent—not a great start. We gave it a rinse and the smell remained, but fortunately after a few days of airing out the smell completely dissipated. 

The aerator is made of heavy-duty plastic, and it has black silicone around the base so users can keep a strong grip on it. Unlike other aerators we’ve tried, the Vinturi comes with a small, removable mesh filter that can strain out sediment or bits of cork. We were thankful for this added component as it caught debris we hadn’t noticed before. 

The Vinturi is a manual tool, meaning you’ll have to hold it over your wine glass with one hand and pour your wine through it with the other. The box mentions that you’ll know it’s working when you hear "the unique sound of aerating." Sure enough, as we poured the wine through the aerator, we heard a bubbly whooshing sound.

Once we poured a full glass, we noticed the wine didn’t have as many bubbles as other aerators had left. This made us worried that the aerator hadn’t done its job, but when we tried the wine, we found it to be much smoother than our non-aerated glass, and the tart bite that the wine originally had was gone. 

Ease of Use: Steady hands required

The Vinturi is easy enough to use pre-wine, but we’d be interested to see how it goes a couple glasses in. Since you have to hold the aerator in one hand and pour your wine through the 1.5-inch opening with the other, you have to be precise or you’ll risk spilling. Anyone with shaky hands may want to avoid the Vinturi, and this method of aeration overall.

Even with steady hands, the process can be messy because some wine remains in the aerator and then inevitably ends up on your counter or table when you put it down. Fortunately, the Vinturi comes with a small rubber stand which helps cut down on some mess.  

Care: Easy to clean

The Vinturi Aerator doesn’t have many parts nor does it come apart (except for the small mesh filter); this is both good and bad for cleaning. While you won’t be able to scrub the inside of the aerator, we found that placing it under a running faucet helped clear out residual wine. And for those times you want it extra clean, you could easily use a small cleaning brush (like those you’d use on a reusable straw).

Price: Fair and affordable

With an MSRP of $40 (but a consistent sale price of $20), the Vinturi Essential Red Wine Aerator is priced competitively. Given its sturdy build, included sediment filter, and effectiveness, we actually think it could be sold for more. 

Competition: Lots of aerators out there

Vintorio Wine Aerator Pourer: If you’re new to wine aeration and don’t want to spend too much, the Vintorio is a great introductory tool. The $20 aerator affixes right to your wine bottle’s spout for one-hand operation and with just two pieces to clean, it’s easy to care for. 

Zazzol Wine Aerator: The Zazzol operates quite similarly to the Vinturi and costs roughly the same. We find ourselves gravitating toward the Vinturi because of its sleek, one-piece design, but if you’re a germaphobe, you may prefer the seven-piece Zazzol. The latter tool can be taken apart and individually washed, ensuring no wine is left when you store it.

Aervana Essential Electric Wine Aerator: If you’re not so keen on using both hands and making sure your stream of wine doesn’t stray from your aerator’s slim opening, try the Aervana on for size. When inserted into your wine bottle, the tool acts like a spout, dispensing aerator wine at the touch of a button. Of course, the upgraded aerator will cost you a bit more than basic models at $60.