Why Use a Wine Decanter?

Wine lovers know that a rich full-bodied red wine will require decanting. Everyone has their own method of decanting the wine; some prefer traditional methods, while others embrace the many gadgets available to make the process easier. No matter which method is chosen, the end goal is the same.

Purpose & Type of Wine

The purpose of decanting wine is to remove sediment.  Red wines will need to be decanted more than white wine. The reason is the darker full-bodied grapes. The darker the red wine, the more sediment that you will encounter. A pinot will require less decanting than say a cabernet, but both still require the process.

Most inexpensive table wines you find at the grocery store will not need to be decanted. These wines go through a filtering process during the bottling, so that they are ready to drink. A more expensive wine will require decanting and aeration before drinking.

If you do not decant the wine before you drink it, there could be large amounts of solid material when you drink. The grapes go through a shredding process as early as two years after bottling. Decanting also allows for proper airing of wines which helps reduce any strong taste cause by the built of fumes in the bottle.

Decanting Methods

There are several methods for decanting a wine. Traditionally, a candle is held under a bottle of wine as it is poured into a glass decanter. Warming the wine helps to pull sediment to the bottom. Today, there are filters made especially for decanting. How you choose to do it depends on how much time and patience you have.