Vintage Clear Glass Wine Aerator Funnel

"The funnel was purchased as a 'gurgler' to aerate wine simply with no decanting," Patricia and Walter recall. "It's very effective for just one glass."

This slender glass wine aerator has lived on the living room shelves at Chanteduc, Patricia and Walter's farmhouse in Vaison-la-Romaine, for years, part of Patricia's carefully assembled collection of vintage and antique glassware. Blown from clear glass, it takes the form of an elongated funnel — wide and open at the top, tapering to a narrow spout at the base with a small, faceted foot.

It is very easy to use. Pour wine through the funnel into a glass and the narrow spout creates a gurgling flow that aerates as it goes — no decanter required, no waiting, one glass at a time. For anyone who has ever opened a bottle and wanted just one well-opened glass without the ceremony of a full decant, this is the answer. Displayed among other glassware, it reads as a sculptural object; in use, it is entirely practical.