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How do I Choose the Best Red Wine Decanter?

Debra Durkee
Debra Durkee

Decanting a red wine can seem like a very posh and somewhat intimidating thing to undertake and to do well, but choosing the right wine decanter can make the process a simple one to learn. A red wine decanter doesn't even have to be a vessel specifically labeled as a decanter, and sometimes the best ones are those selected to accent existing home decor. Selecting the properly shaped and colored container can lead to added enjoyment of many bottles of wine.

The first thing to consider is the shape of the red wine decanter. The vessel should have a long, narrow neck and a wide base. The mouth of the decanter should not be so narrow as to make pouring the wine into it difficult, but if it is a wide-mouthed vessel, the neck should be smaller than the opening. The body of the decanter should be wide; make sure it is large enough to hold all of the wine in the body. When the bottle has been emptied into the decanter, there should be no wine in the neck.

A red wine decanter should have a shape and color that works with the surrounding decor.
A red wine decanter should have a shape and color that works with the surrounding decor.

The material the red wine decanter is made from is also important. Most are made from glass, but clarity is vital. If the decanter is made of some sort of decorative crystal that distorts the view of the wine, this can make it difficult to examine the wine for clarity. Decanting can assist in getting the residue out of the bottle; while pouring into a clear decanter, transfer of the wine can stop as soon as residue starts to be poured. Being able to see the clarity of the wine is key, so the decanter should be made of a clear material instead of colored glass or crystal.

Selecting the best decanter can add to the enjoyment of a bottle of red wine.
Selecting the best decanter can add to the enjoyment of a bottle of red wine.

The neck of the decanter should also be clear and unobstructed by design or decoration. This, and the addition of a light source behind the red wine decanter, will make it easy to see any sediment in the wine. Some new decanters even have a screen built in to catch any of the residue that might be poured out of the bottle. Bottles should be allowed to stand upright for at least a day before they are decanted, which will allow any residue to settle to the bottom.

Using a decanter can ensure that the wine going into the glass is clear and free of residue.
Using a decanter can ensure that the wine going into the glass is clear and free of residue.

A red wine decanter can be made of crystal or glass, and the delicacy of the vessel is a matter of personal preference. The shape of the decanter can make it difficult to clean, a step that is vital in preserving the integrity of each individual bottle of wine. Making sure the decanter is easy to hold onto and has a sturdy base can make this crucial step much easier.

Discussion Comments

Markerrag

@Vincenzo -- I will give you even more advice on buying a decanter. I have one that has both that wire mesh strainer on top of it as well as an insert that aerates the wine as it is poured through it.

As it has been pointed out already, aerating wine helps its flavor tremendously. My decanter makes both aeration and filtration easy and, as I recall, it didn't cost much more than other decanters on the market.

But, getting a decanter is like anything else, isn't it? Research can really pay off before you go shopping.

Vincenzo

@Logicfest -- And let's not forget that decanting is almost a must for a lot of homemade wines. One of the problems with making wine at home is that it is very hard to get all the yeast out of it before it is bottled (some people buy expensive filters to get rid of yeast, but most hobbyists won't shell out the cash to do that). Decanting can help remove the yeast if you know how to use one to separate the "good" wine from the yeast-laden stuff lining the bottom of a bottle.

If you want to make the process even simple, get a decanter that it topped with a removable, mesh strainer that can get rid of a lot of contaminants including yeast, broken cork, etc.

Logicfest

Decanting shouldn't really seem that posh -- it can actually help improve the taste of inexpensive wines by aerating them and allowing them to breathe. It is quite amazing how much better any wine will taste once it has been decanted, left alone for a few minutes and then served.

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    • A red wine decanter should have a shape and color that works with the surrounding decor.
      By: Stefano Tiraboschi
      A red wine decanter should have a shape and color that works with the surrounding decor.
    • Selecting the best decanter can add to the enjoyment of a bottle of red wine.
      By: unclepodger
      Selecting the best decanter can add to the enjoyment of a bottle of red wine.
    • Using a decanter can ensure that the wine going into the glass is clear and free of residue.
      By: daviles
      Using a decanter can ensure that the wine going into the glass is clear and free of residue.
    • Some casual restaurants may choose not to use decanters when serving red wine.
      By: Minerva Studio
      Some casual restaurants may choose not to use decanters when serving red wine.
    • A restaurant may bring red wine to the table in a decanter when several people are sharing a bottle.
      By: V&P Photo Studio
      A restaurant may bring red wine to the table in a decanter when several people are sharing a bottle.