2. Allow oxygen to react with some of the tannins in the wine, causing it to mellow out a bit and changing some of the flavors. It is similar to allowing a wine to "breath" after decanting it. The process of oxygen reacting with tannic acid is also the same thing that occurs as a wine ages in the bottle because the cork allows some oxygen to pass through.
It isn't necessary but it certainly serves a purpose especially with highly tannic wines.
haha i like that. The whole goal being to appear that you know what you are doing. I don't know about your comment about impressing people. "I am super amazing. Watch me swirl like a champion. These people love me."
A slight amount of swirling makes it appear as if you know what your doing. As far as I'm concerned, take a few well timed swirls, take a sniff to see if you can smell any special aromas, and then drink away. Those that swirl away all night long are simply trying to impress those around them.
It's not necessary, but swirling helps release the aromas so you get a good whiff. It also can help aerate the wine a bit and if you're hard core you can get a feel for the thickness/viscosity of the wine by looking at how it rolls down the sides of the glass (legs).
So, swirl away. Just stay away from me when I do it, because as you know, I'm bound to spill all over myself at some point in the evening.
1. Release the aromas in the wine.
2. Allow oxygen to react with some of the tannins in the wine, causing it to mellow out a bit and changing some of the flavors. It is similar to allowing a wine to "breath" after decanting it. The process of oxygen reacting with tannic acid is also the same thing that occurs as a wine ages in the bottle because the cork allows some oxygen to pass through.
It isn't necessary but it certainly serves a purpose especially with highly tannic wines.
So, swirl away. Just stay away from me when I do it, because as you know, I'm bound to spill all over myself at some point in the evening.