What is a Wine Decanter and How Do You Use It?
What is a wine decanter?
Think of a wine decanter as a waiting room for your wine, of sorts. When you put the wine from the bottle directly into the glass, there is a potential for sediment to form in it, as well as constrict the taste of the flavor.
A wine decanter is an intermediary. Pouring the wine into the decanter separates the wine from the sediment in the bottom of the bottle. The rounded body also aerates the wine and gives it a fuller flavor by creating space for it to “breathe”.
How do you use a wine decanter?
You may have heard using a decanter properly described as an “art”, which is very correct. While it isn’t hard to do, all things considered, you do need to understand how to use it! General steps to follow include:
- Sit the bottle upright for 24 hours before decanting
- Plan to decant the bottle at least a few hours before enjoying
- Tilt the opened bottle toward the decanter slowly
- Keep the bottom of the bottle low to keep the sediment from stirring up
- If it rises, stop and let it settle before trying again
- Stay slow and steady
Practice makes perfect, so don’t expect to get it perfectly right the first time you do it. Every wine has a different time recommended for decanting, so remember to take a look at that before you begin so that you are using your new art form correctly.
Many people enjoy red wine without a decanter. However, those who want the true, best Contra Costa Wine flavor and professional experience will find that a wine decanter is a crucial step to doing that properly. The rest is all about the technique that you use to pull it all together!
SOURCES
https://www.jjbuckley.com/wine-knowledge/blog/when-and-why-should-you-decant-wines-/1227
