Wine Decanter: Everything You Need to Know

Shortly after the first grapes were fermented into wine, this liquid has been stored and served from all manners of containers or objects. Often an object of intimidation, a decanter is an important and beneficial tool. When done correctly, decanter wine can elevate the drinking experience.

If you enjoy drinking wine then using a decanter is a great idea. The process of slowly pouring a special, quality bottle of wine into a beautiful decanter is a treat for all the senses.

Whether you already have a decanter at home or you have never heard of one before, it's important to understand the significance of decanting wine when it comes to bringing out the best flavours.

How does Oxygen Affect Wine?

The same as oxygen is essential for life it is also essential for wine. Throughout the winemaking process (harvesting, fermentation and ageing), oxygen is a constant force that winemakers try to control. The wine flavours will be modified as a consequence of the amount of oxidation that occurs during this entire process.

Oxidation still must be taken into account even after a wine has been bottled and sold, especially once the bottle is opened. Over-oxidation occurs when a wine has been sitting out for a week can make the wine's flavours taste flat. On the other hand, the right amount of oxidation can trigger a chemical reaction that makes the wine taste much better.

What Is Wine Decanter?

A wine decanter is a decorative vessel for serving, commonly used when the liquid undergoes the process of decantation. Due to its shape, the wine can expand the surface area, allowing it to interact with air and reach its full flavour. 

A wine decanter is an absolutely gorgeous vessel for serving and storing alcohol that enhances the surface area of the liquid due to its shape, allowing it to interact with air and achieve its full flavour potential.

While decanters are customarily used for red wine, they can also be used (and are frequently used) for whisky, cognac, bourbon, scotch and other liquors. 

History of Wine Decanters 

The history of decanters is enchanting, and true connoisseurs will debate that the best wine decanter will not only enhance the pleasure of drinking but even improve the taste of the wine. 

Throughout history, decanters have played a crucial role in the serving of wine. In ancient times, the amphora vessels would be filled with wine and brought to the table to make it easier to handle by a servant. 

Ancient Romans pioneered the use of glass as a material, but after their fall the glass production was in short supply, resulting in the majority of decanters being made of bronze, silver, golden or earthenware.

During the Renaissance period, the Venetians reintroduced glass decanters and pioneered the long slender neck style that opened to a wide body.

The first reference to "decanters" in English appeared around 1700. The term had crossed the Atlantic by 1719 when decanters imported from Bristol were advertised in the Boston newspaper. 

Why Do We Decant Wine?

Decanting wine is performed for two main reasons. Firstly, remove the sediment from reaching the glass and secondly, assist the wine in aerating and ‘open up’ before consuming.

Decanting has numerous benefits, but is performed for two main reasons. Firstly, to assist the wine in aerating and “breathe” before consuming and secondly, remove the sediment from reaching the glass. 

• Aeration 

You might have heard that you should let the wine "breathe" for a few minutes (or maybe more) after opening it. When wine gets time to "breathe" it is exposed to oxygen. The oxygen process in decanting results in a better-tasting wine, bringing out more of the flavours.

• Separating Sediments 

Decanters allow you to serve older red wines without the risk of the sediment ending up in your glass. When you decant your wine, the sediments sink to the bottom of your decanter so you can stop pouring your wine before you reach it. The separation not only improves the clarity of your wine but also reduces its overall bitterness.

How to Use a Decanter?

It's true that all you have to do to decant wine is pour your bottle into the decanter. But if you want to get the most out of your next bottle, there's a little more to it than that.

The Regular Way

Slowly pour the wine into the decanter. You can either pour the wine into the decanter with one hand while holding the decanter in the other or maintain the decanter on a flat surface while pouring. Pouring carefully and without splashing helps fragile, older wines preserve their structure, texture, and colour in either case.

It also makes it possible for the pourer to detect sediment. And the best way to do so is to pour the wine into the decanter with only one hand while placing a light source on the bottle's neck. Keep a lit lighter, match or candle beneath the bottle's neck and begin pouring slowly after the bottle is parallel to the ground. You're done when the wine that has been ignited by the flame appears dusty, foggy, or you can see pieces of sediment. The decanter does not filter out the sediment. However, pouring the wine into the decanter allows you to observe and avoid the sediment.

The Shock Method 

For young, tannic red wines that haven't been aged for more than two years, the shock method of decanting is ideal. You do this by turning the bottle vertically and forcing the wine into the decanter. This causes a lot of splashing and spinning within the decanter, accelerating the wine's oxidation. If you have a bottle of wine with sediment, this is not the procedure to use.

How Long to Decant Different Types of Wine?

There are various factors to consider when determining how much time you will need to decant your wine ahead of time:

The type of wine - Red wines take longer to develop their scents than white wines. Natural wines will also require more time to aerate.

The age of the wine - A young wine, whether red, white, or sparkling, will take longer to open than an older wine, which will need to prevent excessive air contact.

The ageing potential - In addition to the wine's age, the wine's ageing potential will be used to determine the amount of aeration time required. Some wines are made by the winemaker to be enjoyed young, while others benefit from maturing before consumption.

In any case, before decanting your wine, give it a taste. It will benefit from a longer aeration time if it is closed.

It's impossible to predict the exact decanting time required for wine unless you know your wine well, or have been told by a wine expert or even the winemaker. Furthermore, you must be careful not to over-aerate it. Because after achieving its optimal aeration, or the point at which all of the scents have evolved, the aromas begin to fade and there is no way to reverse this.

How to Choose the Right Wine Decanter?

Size

The majority of wine decanters are designed to hold a single bottle of wine. Some are huge enough to hold multiple bottles, while others are just large enough to hold a single glass, while others are somewhere in between.

For most buyers, single-bottle wine decanters will be the most sensible solution. Smaller decanters are useful for those who don't want to risk not finishing a bottle in one evening because the wine will turn sour if it sits in the decanter for too long.

When you're entertaining a large group and want to keep the decanted wine flowing, larger decanters can be useful but bear in mind that you'll be limiting the surface area of the wine exposed when you use one decanter for a larger quantity of wine, so it won't aerate as quickly or effectively.

Shape

Wine decanters come in a variety of shapes and sizes. When deciding on a design, one of the most important considerations is how much surface area the decanter will provide for the wine. Many are constructed expressly to "spread out" the wine, allowing a large portion of it to breathe.

Furthermore, consider whether the form will make it difficult to pour the wine without dripping – clearly, you don't want to make a mess or waste wine. Finally, make sure you select a shape that appeals to you.

A decanter's shape is usually characterised by a long neck and a large belly. With each new fashion trend, a variety of different style containers arise. It elevates the table with great wine when combined with gorgeous decoration. The first generation of decanter apparatus has a classic water drop structure that is commonly seen; the second generation of sobering apparatus has a bottle opening at the top of the side and the shape of the bottle is composed of two triangles; the third generation of sobering apparatus has narrow upper and wide lower sides and elegant lines, similar to the first generation of sobering apparatus.

Material

Because most other materials would lend an unpleasant flavour to the wine, wine decanters are almost usually made of glass. Delicate crystal glass is used in some of the higher-end decanters. These are more expensive and more likely to break if not handled carefully, but they are also more elaborate and ornamental for those with refined tastes.

Because crystal is more durable, it is frequently used to design big artistic decanters, whereas glass decanters have thicker walls and simpler designs. Both are excellent options. Another key difference between the two materials is that standard glass is usually better if you plan to put your decanter in the dishwasher.

How to Clean Your Wine Decanter?

Many people believe that decanters should be cleaned without using regular dish soap. We highly recommend using a fragrance-free soap. If you don't rinse it thoroughly enough, the soap will impact the flavour of your wine, which is obviously undesirable.

Instead, you can purchase specialised glass cleaners, such as brushes intended to go into the neck of a wine decanter and stretch to reach the larger base, and decanter cleaning beads to get to any locations you can't reach otherwise.

Cleaning your wine decanter properly might be a time-consuming task. When evaluating different types, think about how the form of your decanter can make the work easier or difficult, especially if you're the kind to resent a tedious cleaning process. Also, keep an eye out for decanters that can be washed in the dishwasher, which can make cleaning a lot easier.

Decanting isn't just for sommeliers and experts; it may improve the flavour of wines of all price ranges, as well as make you appear more sophisticated as a host. They can be used as a decorative component in your home or as a practical utility while you're getting ready to pour a glass. A wine decanter is a handy item to own for everyone who enjoys a good glass of wine.

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