Choosing The Perfect Wine Decanter
If you’re new to the world of fine wine, you might not realize just how much the right wine decanter makes all the difference in your wine drinking experience. More than just an elegant tabletop piece, a wine decanter allows the wine to breathe, softening tannins and unlocking its full range of aromas and flavors for a more refined sip.
Unsure of how to choose the perfect wine decanter for you? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know.
What Is a Wine Decanter & Why Do You Need One?
First things first: what is a wine decanter, and why is it so important?
Often confused with a carafe, a wine decanter is about more than just displaying your wine in an aesthetically pleasing way. A wine decanter is a tool that greatly elevates the taste of a bottle of wine.
A wine decanter serves two purposes. First, it aerates your wine, exposing the wine to oxygen and allowing the aromas to release and the tannins to soften. While you don’t want your wine to be overexposed to oxygen as it can be ruined, the right amount of aeration expands the wine’s flavor in a beautiful way.
Additionally, decanting a bottle of wine allows you to separate the wine from any sediment that may have built up over the years. Sediment forms as the wine ages, and older red wines especially are prone to sediment buildup. While drinking sediment isn’t harmful, it’s not always pleasant, and adds an astringency that some people don’t like.
How to Choose the Perfect Wine Decanter
Choosing the right wine decanter for you can be confusing, but with a bit of help, it doesn’t have to be difficult. If you’re planning to invest in fine wine for years to come, you may wish to purchase a wine decanter set so that you have several options to choose from the next time that you need a decanter. However, if you’re just looking for a single decanter, we have some suggestions for you as to what to look for.
As you browse decanters, you’ll notice that there are several types of glass to choose from. Crystal wine decanters tend to be the most durable, and allow for elegant shapes and designs. However, you can also choose a standard glass decanter, which will be a bit thicker, or a borosilicate glass decanter, which is also quite durable and even heat resistant, allowing for easy cleaning.
The best sized decanter to choose depends on the type of wine that you plan to decant. The more full-bodied the wine, the larger you’ll want your decanter base to be to allow for more oxygen to reach the wine. Lighter-bodied red wines require a smaller decanter, while white wines and rosé wines require an even smaller decanter.
Our Favorite Wine Decanters
With so many beautiful wine decanters on the market, it can be hard to choose the perfect one for you. Let us make your search a little easier – keep reading to learn about our favorite go-to wine decanters.
Riedel Amadeo Decanter
This stunning hand-crafted crystal wine decanter is an elegant choice for any wine aficionado’s collection. A sophisticated piece that is engraved with the Jordan logo, it looks beautiful atop any table, while doing an excellent job of allowing your wine to properly aerate for vibrant flavors and aromas.
Jordan 50th Anniversary Baccarat Decanter
Looking for the perfect gift for the wine lover in your life? You can’t go wrong with this one-of-a-kind Baccarat Massena wine decanter, crafted in celebration of Jordan’s 50th anniversary. Handmade by one of the most iconic French producers, this endlessly elegant decanter features an artful logo etched into the glass, commemorating the year of celebration. Topped with an exquisite topper cut like a diamond, this decanter will become a cherished favorite in any collection.
Riedel O Single Decanter
The Riedel O Single Decanter is a team favorite, as it’s used onsite at Jordan Winery for tastings and dinners. Simple and sleek, its compact size makes it a great choice for decanting white wines and champagnes, and is a suitable choice for both young and old wines alike. Hand-blown by master glassblowers yet still dishwasher safe, it’s the perfect everyday decanter.
Riedel Cornetto Single Decanter
Long, slim, and modern, the Riedel Cornetto Single Decanter is another one of our go-to glass decanters. Its thin design keeps the wine from being overexposed to oxygen, so it’s a safe choice for decanting older, more fragile wines, removing sediment without over-aerating.
FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Wine Decanters
Ready to begin decanting your wine? Here are a few of our most frequently asked questions regarding decanting.
What size should my decanter be?
You want to choose a decanter that allows plenty of room for the wine to breathe. Substantial air-to-wine exposure is key to proper decanting. If you plan to decant more than one bottle of wine, be sure to have a larger decanter or two standard decanters on hand.
How quickly should I pour my wine into the decanter?
It depends on the age of the wine. Older wines should be handled with care, poured slowly and gently. Younger wines, on the other hand, should be poured quickly, as the splashing allows for better air exposure.
How long should I decant a young red wine?
Red wines that are less than ten years old can be decanted for hours, or even days. These wines take time to open up, so don’t stress about leaving them decanting for too long – they can take it.
