How Long Should Red Wine Breathe?

Most red and white wines will improve when exposed to air for at least 30 minutes. The improvement, however, requires exposure to far more than the teaspoon or so exposed by simply uncorking the wine. To accomplish this, you have to decant the wine. This process aerates the wine in its entirety.

Does letting red wine breathe make a difference?

Aerating the wine can help disperse some of the initial odor, making the wine smell better. Letting a bit of the alcohol evaporate allows you to smell the wine, not just the alcohol. Sulfites in wine also disperse when you let the wine breathe.

Can wine breathe for too long?

Young, tannic reds need oxygen to soften tannins

Allowing them to breathe too long can overly soften their opulent nature. Still, most young, tannic reds can benefit from some aggressive swirling and 10–20 minutes in the glass.