Shopping Guides
-
Apparel & Accessories
- General Care Guidelines
-
Glossary
- Apparel Terms
- Footwear Terms
- Footwear Diagram
- Handbags Terms
- Fabrics & Weaves
- Fashion by Body Type
- Five Fashion Essentials
- Handbag Weight Comparisons
- Fibers
- Scarves in Fashion
- Size Information
- Sunglasses
-
Beauty
-
Cosmetics 101
-
Cosmetic Tools and Care
- Cosmetic Brushes
- Face Tools
- Eye Tools
- Other Beauty Tools
-
Makeup Application & Color Guide
- Cheeks
- Eyebrows
- Eyes
- Foundation
- Lips
- Hints for Mature Skin
- Hints for Quick Application
- The Smoky Eye Effect
- Makeup by Occasion
-
Cosmetic Tools and Care
- Hair Types and Styling
- Ingredient Glossary
-
Skin Care
- Acne/Oily Skin
- Aging Skin
- Dry Skin
- Normal Skin
- Sensitive Skin
-
Skin Care Regimen
- Cleanse
- Tone
- Exfoliate
- Refresh
- Moisturize
- Firm
- Protect
- Fragrance Types
-
Cosmetics 101
-
Computers & Electronics
-
Choosing a Camera
- Camera Functions
- Camera Glossary
- Digital Cameras
-
Choosing a Computer
- Choosing a Notebook
- Computer Glossary
- Setting Up Your Computer
- Choosing a GPS
- Gaming Systems & Ratings
-
Home Theater Systems
- Home Theater Glossary
- Refurbished Electronics
- TV Glossary& FAQs
- Unlocked Phones
-
Choosing a Camera
-
Coins
- American Coin Designs
- Coin Glossary
- Grading & Certification
- History of Coin Collecting
- History of Coin Jewelry
- Mints & Mint Marks
- Other Currency
- State & Territory Quarters
- Types of Coin Collections
- Types of Coin Collectors
-
Health & Fitness
- Bicycles
- BOSU Ball Exercises
- Heart Rate Monitoring
- Nutrition Glossary
- Pre-Workout Warm-ups
- Resistance Bands
- Stability Ball Exercises
- Stationary Bikes
- Treadmills
-
House & Home
- Bath Towels
-
Bedding
- Choosing Sheets
- Down
- Fabrics, Weaves & Fibers
- General Care Guidelines
- Size Information
- Top Layers
-
Cookware
-
Care & Maintenance
- All-Clad Care
- Cast Iron Care
- Copper Care
- Nonstick Care
- Stainless Steel Care
- Materials
- Pieces
-
Care & Maintenance
-
Cutlery
- Knife Construction
- Types of Knives
- Sharpening Knives
- Safety Tips
- Care and Cleaning
- Decor Periods
-
Dining & Entertaining
- Food, Drinks & Tabletop
- Setting a Casual Table
- Setting a Semi-Formal Table
- Setting a Formal Table
-
Feng Shui
- Five Elements
- Yin and Yang
- Feng Shui in Your Home
- Furniture Styles
- Furniture Woods
- Gemstone Globes
- Home Decor Essentials
-
Kitchen Appliances
- Blenders
- Coffeemakers
- Deep Fryers
-
Espresso Machines
- Types of Espresso Machines
- Subcategories
- Types of Power
- Freshly Ground or Pod?
- Espresso Glossary
- Some Basics to Consider
- Cleaning Your Espresso Machine
- Cups & Saucers
- Induction Cooktops
- Microwaves
- Rice Cookers
- Toasters & Toaster Ovens
-
Lighting
- Types of Lighting
- Types of Lamps
- Light Bulbs
- Lighting Glossary
- Luggage Tips
-
Mattresses
- Mattress Comfort
- Mattress Sizes
-
Mattress Types
- Air Chamber
- Innerspring
- Latex Foam
- Memory Foam
- Rugs
- Sewing Machines
-
Wine Enjoyment
- Aerating & Decanting Wine
- Storing & Preserving Wine
- Wine Glass Types
- Wine Glossary
-
Wine Tasting 101
- Types of Wine Tastings
- How to Conduct a Tasting
- The Tasting Process
- Tasting Cards
- Design Motifs & Symbolism
-
Jewelry
- Birthstones
- Care and Storage
-
Clasps and Closures
- Earring Backs
- Necklace and Bracelet Clasps
- Cleaning Methods
- Created and Simulated Gems
-
Gemstones
- Clarity and Color Grading
- Settings
- Mohs Scale
- Enhancement and Care
- Shapes or Cuts
-
A-B Gemstones
- Agate
- Alexandrite
- Amazonite
- Amber
- Amethyst
- Ametrine
- Andalusite
- Ammolite
- Andesine
- Apatite
- Aquamarine
- Aventurine
- Azurite
- Beryl
- Bloodstone
- Boulder Opal
- Brazanite
-
C-F Gemstones
- Carnelian
- Cat's Eye Chrysoberyl
- Chalcedony
- Charoite
- Chrome Diopside
- Chrysocolla
- Chrysoprase
- Cinnabar
- Citrine
- Coral
- Diamond
- Diopside
- Drusy
- Dumortierite
- Emerald
- Eudialite
- Fire Opal
- Fluorite
-
G-N Gemstones
- Garnet
- Howlite
- Hematite
- Iolite
- Jade
- Jasper
- Kunzite
- Kyanite
- Labradorite
- Lapis Lazuli
- Larimar
- Larvikite
- Magnesite
- Malachite
- Mandarin Garnet
- Marcasite
- Moldavite
- Moonstone
- Morganite
- Mother of Pearl
- Mystic Topaz
-
O-R Gemstones
- Obsidian
- Onyx
- Opal
- Ouro Verde
- Padparadscha Sapphire
- Pearl
- Paua Shell (Abalone)
- Peridot
- Peruvian Blue Opal
- Pietersite
- Prasiolite
- Prehnite
- Quartz
- Queen Conch Shell
- Rhodochrosite
- Rhodolite
- Rubellite
- Ruby
-
S-Z Gemstones
- Sandstone
- Sapphire
- Serpentine
- Sodalite
- Spessartite
- Sphene
- Spinel
- Sunstone
- Tanzanite
- Tashmarine
- Tiger's Eye
- Topaz
- Tourmaline
- Tsavorite
- Turquoise
- Unakite
- Venetian and Murano Glass
- Zircon
- Zoisite
- Zultanite
- Glossary
-
Jewelry Trends
- Alternative Birthstones
- Astrology
- Chinese Zodiac
- Italian Gold
- Jewelry Designs
- Right-Hand Rings
- Traditional Anniversary Gifts
- Manufacturing Techniques
-
Metals
- Ceramic
- Copper
- Gold
- Plated Silver or Bronze
- Platinum
- Ruthenium Plating
- Stainless Steel
- Sterling Silver
- Tungsten
- Size Information
-
Watches
- Watch Glossary
- Invicta Collections
- Maintenance, Care & Cleaning
- Measurements & Sizing
- Strap & Bracelet Materials
- Watch Case Dimensions
-
Watch Components
- Case
- Crystal
- Dial
- Movement
- Strap/Bracelet
- Water Resistance Levels
- Watch Weight Comparisons
The purpose of letting wine breathe, or aerate, is maximizing your wine's exposure to the surrounding air. By allowing the wine to mix and mingle with air, it will typically warm up and the wine's aromas will open up, the flavor will soften a bit and the overall flavor characteristics should improve.
It is a common misconception that upon removing the cork, all bottles of wine need to be given time to breathe. This is not always the case. Not all wines require aeration. However, different wines require different amounts of time. Many wine sellers have experts that are educated on the wine they are selling so it's best to consult them regarding aeration time.
As soon as you open a bottle of wine, pour a small amount into your glass for a taste test. Wine is subjective in that there is no right or wrong flavor. If the wine is to your liking, then it's time to drink!
For wine that has aged for some time, a decanter is highly recommended. Many people simply open their bottle and let it sit. While adequate, it is not ideal. Decanting is a terrific technique for letting newer wines aerate and removing older wines' sediment. Sediment occurs in wine when pigments and tannins within the wine breakdown, leaving behind a harmless but bitter residue. Not only is sediment displeasing to the mouth, it's displeasing to the eye as well.
When decanting a wine with sediment, it's best to let the bottle stand upright, undisturbed for 24 hours. This allows the sediment to collect at the bottom of the bottle. After this allotted time, slowly pour your wine into a cleaned decanter. Observe the wine as it passes through the neck, stopping your pour upon the first sign of sediment.
The final result of this process leaves a decanter of pure wine and a bottle with some sediment-heavy wine left in it. While the remaining un-decanted wine may not taste the best, it makes a great addition to gravy or red sauces. Many wine enthusiasts pride themselves on their ability to find new and exciting uses for sediment-laden wine.
Proper decanting alters wine for the better, softening its bite and developing aromas and flavors more pleasing to the taste buds. Whether 100-years-old or one day, any bottle of wine will benefit from a decanter!
