Decanters

Why Decant Wine? Two Main Rules

It is often thought that decanters are only for old wines, but in reality, they provide the greatest benefit to young beverages. Pouring wine into a decanter serves two essential functions:

• Aeration (for young wines): Young, intense, and tannic wines (e.g., young Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah) require oxygen to open up. A wide-based decanter maximizes the wine's surface area in contact with the air, releasing fruity aromas faster and softening the tannins to create a perfect harmony on the palate.
• Sediment separation (for mature wines): Wines aged in the bottle for a long time naturally form sediment. A slow, careful pour into a decanter (often using candlelight) allows you to separate the clear wine from the sediment left at the bottom of the bottle.

How to Choose the Right Decanter?

The shape of the decanter should be chosen based on the wines you drink most often:

• Wide base: Ideal for young, powerful red wines. A wide bottom ensures maximum aeration.
• Narrower (medium width): Perfect for mature reds, lighter red wines (e.g., Pinot Noir), and white wines that require only gentle contact with the air.
• Unique shapes (handmade): Manufacturers like Riedel create uniquely shaped decanters (e.g., spirals or double-decanting designs) that not only aerate wine incredibly fast due to the long flow path but also serve as stunning table centerpieces or a perfect gift.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I decant white wine and champagne?

Absolutely! While red wine is traditionally decanted, complex oak-aged white wines (such as Burgundian Chardonnay) or long lees-aged Champagnes open up much more expressively after a short decant, losing any potential reductive (lack of oxygen) odors.

How should I care for and wash a decanter?

We recommend rinsing the decanter with warm water immediately after use. Avoid aggressive detergents, as they are difficult to rinse out completely, and the residue can affect the taste of your next wine. To remove hard-to-reach stains or sediment at the bottom, use special cleaning beads or flexible cleaning brushes.