Using a wine decanter

The decanter is a well-known accessory among wine enthusiasts. The concept can be quite difficult for beginners to grasp. Yet, the decanting process is essential for enjoying wine with all its flavors. We'll shed some light on the subject and present the advantages of using a decanter.

Introducing the decanting carafe

A carafe is a container used to serve a beverage into glasses. In fact, a simple carafe and a decanter act as an intermediary between the bottle and the glasses during the serving process. They are generally made of glass to allow for easy observation of the wine's color, as well as its evolution upon contact with air.

A standard carafe is a large container with a spout. It may or may not have a handle, and its body is fairly uniform, as this allows for aeration of the beverage. A wine decanter, on the other hand, has a bulbous body topped with a long, narrow neck for easier handling. It comes with a stopper to limit the wine's contact with air.

Difference between carafeing and decanting

1. Decanting

A standard wine decanter allows the wine to aerate, bringing it into contact with air and encouraging the development of its aromas. Decanting is especially useful for young wines to help them soften and open up. When exposed to air, the wine begins to evolve, which explains the swirling motion sometimes experienced when tasting certain wines. Decanting a wine thus allows its aromas to develop before tasting and enhances its flavors during the tasting process.

As mentioned, decanting is primarily used to aerate young vintages, those intended for early consumption. This process mainly allows the floral and fruity notes of the wine to develop . A young red wine is easily recognizable by its color intensity, ranging from light red to deep purple. A young white wine is easily recognizable by its brightness and clarity, as well as its characteristic greenish hue. A young wine also typically displays a more acidic taste .

2. Decanting

For lovers of aged vintage wines , a decanter is an essential tasting accessory. Its use is more specific than that of a regular carafe, as it primarily serves to decant the wine rather than simply aerating it. This is why it has a distinctive shape with a wide body and a narrower neck.

Furthermore, decanting is recommended for older vintages . Over time, tannin residue can settle at the bottom of the bottle, creating a sediment. This is a perfectly natural phenomenon and poses no health risk. However, this sediment can spoil the tasting experience, both visually in the glass and on the palate.

It should also be noted that decanting and aerating are more practical for red wines than for white wines. The color of red wine can change over time and thicken the sediment at the bottom of the bottle.

The advantages of decanting wine

Wine decanting is a process that involves transferring wine into a dedicated container to remove impurities . The main purpose of decanting is to separate the wine from tannin residue without aerating it too much. Indeed, tannin residue can accumulate at the bottom of the bottle as a wine ages.

Decanting is then considered a wine purification process that an ordinary decanter cannot accomplish. After decanting, you will obtain a clear, limpid wine free of residue.

The stages of decantation

For successful decantation, here are the steps to follow:

• Position your bottle of wine upright beforehand to allow any tannin and color residue to settle to the bottom of the bottle.
• Open the bottle without shaking it too much .
• Light a candle and place it below the neck of the bottle to observe the residue trying to pass through in order to stop the filling.
• Carefully pour your wine into the decanter, bringing the neck of the decanter and the bottle close together to minimize contact with air .
• Stop as soon as the wine starts to become cloudy or residues try to pass through.

You can also read our article on wine barrels .