Oxygen is a vital, critical component to you, me and all human beings. Alas, the story is a bit different when it comes to wine. If wine is exposed to more than a small amount of oxygen, the results can be horrific. How so? Well, it might be better used for your fish and chips!

Timing is a big issue when it comes to wine. When you open a bottle of wine, you often want to let it breathe for a few minutes depending on the type of wine in question. Why? The exposure to oxygen will modify the taste of the wine in a manner that was planned for by the vintner at the winery. Take that same bottle of wine, however, and leave it uncorked and on the table for a couple of hours and what happens? The wine “goes bad” and tastes terrible. The reason has to do with the temperature probably getting to high and the impact oxygen exposure is having on the wine.

What is the problem with oxygen exposure? It has to do with a microbe called acetobacter. It is almost always present in wine. When exposed to oxygen, the microbe starts doing something interesting. It starts converting the ethyl alcohol in the wine into acetic acid through a multistep process. So, why is this a problem? Well, acetic acid is the main component of…vinegar! Yikes!

It takes more than a few hours for acetobacter to convert the ethyl alcohol in wine to a vinegar substance. Leaving a wine bottle open for a few hours isn’t a problem. Exposure to oxygen while the wine is being stored, however, is a different story. Even a tiny bit of oxygen leaking in through the cork can lead to a stored bottle of wine that is not wine, but vinegar. It happens all the time!

If you have are storing wine to let it age, you should take all possible steps to prevent oxygen from getting into the wine. The last thing you want to do is open a bottle after 10 years and get a whiff of vinegar!

As human beings, we need to breathe to live. The reason is rather obvious given our biology. In the world of food and drink, wine also needs to breathe although why is less clear to many people.

Before we get into the breathing concept, it is important to admit a few things. Wine has a culture all its own. It can be both geographic and class oriented. This element of haute culture can lead to a certain amount of intimidation when it comes to immersing yourself in the world of wine. Do not let it. The way to get around this intimidation is to educate yourself on why something is being done and how to do it. As soon as you do this with wine, the intimidation element disappears and you become a wine enthusiast yourself.

So, is letting wine breathe one of those wine snob moments, to wit, does it actually do anything for the wine? The answer is yes, it does. The technical term is aerating the wine. The reason it is important to aerate the wine has to do with the fact that wine will evolve when it interacts with the surrounding air. This interaction can greatly influence the flavor and even strength of the wine.

In general, aerating wine will mellow out the sharper edges of the flavor and taste. The air interacts with the tannin in the wine. It creates a pull back on the elements, but has the opposite effect on the aroma. The aroma will bloom during the aeration process, resulting in a clearer aroma that will highlight the various flavors of the wine. The merit of a wine, after all, is in both the smell and taste.

This is not to say all wines should be aerated. In general, red wines are the wine of choice because they are more tannin oriented. White wines usually do not need to be aerated at all, but there are some exceptions so make sure you find out any distinct elements of the wine you are drinking.

The time necessary to aerate a wine is also a factor that has to be considered. If the wine is already one that has a calmer taste and aroma, it needs only five minutes or so to aerate. A stronger wine, in turn, can need up to an hour to aerate. Again, make sure you have a feel for what you are drinking.

Have you ever found it difficult to climb a flight of stairs, chase your kids around the playground or simply go about daily activities? If so, you may need to take steps that let you breathe easier. Lung damage and shortness of breath do not just afflict people who suffer from asthma or allergies. I have treated many patients who do not fall into these categories. They did not need to resort to prescription medications to breath easier and neither do you. There are many natural and surprisingly easy solutions to restore your respiratory health.

Healthy Lungs for Everyone

If shortness of breath is a frequent problem, it is time to take action. Struggling to breathe can weaken and damage your respiratory system over time. There are many reasons for breathing problems to strike, from asthma to aging to weight gain. If you have asthma, follow your doctor’s treatment plan, including any medications. If your doctor’s treatment isn’t working, discuss alternatives with him or her before making changes on your own.

If you suffer from allergies, it is likely a doctor can help based on your individual needs. If you regularly feel short of breath and don’t know why, see a medical professional as soon as possible for a diagnosis. The following natural solutions can help dramatically improve your breathing, but should not replace a doctor’s care. You can start improving your respiratory health today with a few simple lifestyle changes.

10 Tips for Better Breathing

1) Relieve allergy symptoms in the kitchen – Many herbs and everyday foods can help with allergies that cause congestion and coughing. Steep eucalyptus, licorice root, or smashed garlic cloves in a pot of boiling water and inhale. Eucalyptus lessens congestion, licorice helps coughing, and garlic fights inflammation.

2) Pair your meal with a nice Chianti – This Italian red wine is delicious with red sauce, but any wine may boost lung health, studies show. Although scientists aren’t sure exactly why, they believe the antioxidants in wine may protect your lungs from environmental damage.

3) Make homemade tomato sauce (or crack open a can) – Whether cooked from scratch or not, eating tomatoes three times a week can improve lung function. Research shows that people who do have fewer asthma-like symptoms.

4) Enjoy healthy fats – Fish like salmon and tuna are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which fight inflammation and may improve allergy symptoms. Other sources of this good-for-you fat are mackerel, sardines, halibut, walnuts, flax seeds, and omega-3 fortified eggs.

5) Don’t let your weight creep up – Adults lose a percentage of their lean muscle mass with each passing decade. This causes your metabolism to slow down and burn fewer calories each day. Adding excess weight as you age can make a big impact on lung capacity. The greater your weight, the harder the respiratory system must work to supply oxygen to the body. Do strength training two to three times per week to maintain or build muscle and boost calorie burn.

6) Head to you farmer’s market – Eating a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables makes your lungs healthier. Research shows that antioxidants, such as vitamin C and beta-carotene, protect your cells and contribute to better breathing. Aim for at least seven half-cup servings everyday.

7) See your glass as half full – A large study at Harvard University revealed that people with the most positive outlook on life had a slower decline in lung function over time than people who tended to see the glass half empty.

Jump around – In truth, you don’t have to jump or perform complicated exercise routines to improve lung health. Brisk walking or any pulse-quickening activity strengthens your heart and makes for better breathing. Try to fit in 30 to 45 minutes of exercise on most days.

9) Keep toxins out – No one wants to breathe toxic fumes or chemicals, but many of us may be putting ourselves at risk from these dangerous substances. Use natural household cleaners, or use with regular cleaners in a well-ventilated area. If you work around chemicals, wear a protective mask.

10) Call it quits – If you smoke, giving up cigarettes will improve your health now and for years to come. Smokers run the risk of emphysema, lung cancer and respiratory stress as they age. There are often free or low cost resources available in your community to help. Ask your doctor and lean on family and friends for support.

Whether you find success with one or all of these natural solutions, here’s to healthy lungs and many years of breathing easy!

You have seen it a million times. Wine is opened and allowed to aerate to bring out the fullness of the flavor. So, what is all of this about?

Certain wines tend to have a reaction to oxygen. They often oxidize a bit when exposed to air after having been stored. This is a good thing as it tends to bring out the aroma and even taste of the wine.

The process of introducing oxygen to wine is known as aerating. Many people call it breathing, as in let the wine “breathe.” The process seems simple enough, but many get it wrong. The removal of a cork from the bottle will not aerate the wine. The opening is simply too small and the surface of the wine interacting with the oxygen is also too small. The wine will not breathe! It will be more like suffocating!

To properly aerate a wine, you can take two steps. The first is to pour it into a decanter. A decanter is a glass device that often looks like a work of art. They come in a variety of shapes, but generally tend to be horizontal. This allows the wine to aerate as it is exposed to more air across its surface. Plus, it looks pretty snazzy!

A more common way to aerate a wine is to simply pour it into your wine glasses. So, how long do you need to leave it there? Well, a general guide is ten minutes before you drink. The downside of this approach, of course, is few people wait the full ten minutes. Taking a sip after a minute is not going to result in much difference in aroma or taste.

Importantly, not all wines should be allowed to breathe. White wines, for instance, generally do not need it. On the other hand, red wines generally do need it. There are exceptions to this rule, so make sure you understand the protocol for the wine you are drinking.

Walk. Every day, in all weathers, there is no bad weather, just the wrong clothing. Fifteen minutes at least, over an hour as often as possible. Use gentle strolling to calm stress, deep breathing to feel alive, looking around and taking in your surroundings. In the country, on the beach.

Eat mindfully. Consider every meal, every mouthful. Eat in silence, no television, no radio, no newspaper to distract. Eat with others and share the experience but do not ignore what is on your plate. Eat as much as you need and stop when you have had enough. Buy no junk.

Drink. Water, several glasses a day, spread over the whole day, not all at once. Tea. Green tea at least once a day, flavoured with mint, lemon, ginger or honey to take away the grassy taste. A glass of red wine, shared pleasure, only the most beautiful and the best.

Sing. For the sheer joy of it, no goals, no judgement, no agenda. Taste the pure and lovely sounds in your mouth, breathing deeply and letting rip whatever inspires you. Imagine letting your voice fill the room, the house, the valley. Breathe in the space and enjoy calorie free fun.

Dance. With your broomstick as you sweep the kitchen floor, as you walk to the car, pushing the supermarket trolley. Bop around to the music in your head or on the radio, be a prima ballerina or a pole dancer, or put on your cowboy hat and boots and enjoy!

Love. Love like you’ve never been hurt. Love like there is no tomorrow, who knows. Love yourself! Let yourself be loved and pamper yourself as a lover should. Take yourself out on a date; give yourself a treat, don’t wait.

Enjoy. Take the small pleasures as they come, a beautiful morning sky, a breathtaking view, a smile, a scent that takes you back to a secret place in your heart. Find ways to enjoy everyday things, stop complaining and finding fault and look for the beauty, the kindness, the good.

Breathe. Relax your shoulders, empty your lungs and let the cool, fresh air rush in to nourish you. Take the time to listen to your breath, to let the air circulate in your body and use the natural rhythm of breathing to ease away your worries. Lean against a tree and feel the stretch as you breathe into your back.

Listen. Listen to the wind, the rain, and all the sounds of nature around you, even in town. Listen to the silence and calm your mind of its parasitic thoughts. Give yourself time to really hear. When talking with someone have you really heard what they are saying to you?

Live. What if you knew your time was limited? What would you do differently? How do you want to be remembered? What do you want to be famous for? Of course we all need to plan for the future, but today is important too. And there is only one today.

Drinking wine at dinner is obviously a very common act and the same goes for when you are in a restaurant. The question, however, is how do you deal with letting a wine breathe in the restaurant setting.

There are two areas of misconception when it comes to wine that arise over and over. The first is that wine can be evaluated by how the “legs” look when it is swirled in a wine glass. The legs indicate the alcohol evaporation rate, not the taste. Regardless, the second area has to do with letting a wine breathe.

By definition, your basic bottle of wine is an enclosed environment. It is set up to age slowly, but this process can be jump started a bit when exposed to oxygen. This is why a bottle of wine left open over night will be nasty. It oxidizes excessively and essentially spoils the wine.

Whine should be exposed to the air for a matter of minutes. Many people mistakenly believe that popping the cork on the bottle is sufficient when it comes to letting a wine breathe. It is not and makes no serious difference. Why? The surface of the wine exposed to the air is too small. The better approach is to decant the wine. A decanter is designed to create a much larger surface of wine exposed to the air. You can go with a fancy decanter or just use a glass pitcher.

So, what about letting a wine breathe in a restaurant? The waiter or waitress will ask you if you want to let the wine breathe. If you say yes, they will often pop the cork and then walk away. Again, this isn’t going to cut it. Just popping the cork does not expose enough of the wine to the oxygen that would mature the taste.

At this point, your best option is to ask the waiter to decant the wine. This may be met with a blank stare, but the bigger problem will probably be that the wine does not have any decanters. If so, you have one final option. Ask the waiter to pour everyone at the table a glass of wine and then let it sit. Wine in a glass does not have much depth, so the slightly larger area exposed to the air is usually sufficient to do the trick.

Drinking wine in a restaurant is a common and enjoyable compliment to your meal. When appropriate, just make sure to let that wine breathe sufficiently even if you need to do it in the wine glasses.