When Should You Decant Wine
So, when should you decant wine? Let me explain, when you should decant wine. When to decant wine depends on the type of wine, how old it is, and whether it has been fully aerated . For example, white wine needs to be decanted before drinking, but red wine is better consumed undecanted. If you’re using a decanter then always pour the first few glasses of wine from a new bottle into your decanter rather than into an empty glass.
Wine experts suggest decanting wine for about 5 minutes to 30 minutes depending on the type of wine. The reason behind this recommendation is that during these times, the wine loses up to 50% of its carbon dioxide, resulting in a decrease in aroma and flavor notes. This leads to a reduction in tannins and acidity. When you remove the bottle from the refrigerator and uncork it, the pressure inside the bottle forces air into the liquid.
During this time, the wine oxidizes, turning brown or even black. A little bit of oxygen encourages the yeast to work harder making more alcohol, giving the wine more body, and increasing levels of esters, which are considered desirable.
These changes occur naturally by themselves, but they increase dramatically when wine sits around too long. In this article, we also have an article about wine decanter that you might want to read about it.
Wine decanters are often seen as something used only by sommeliers or wine snobs. But, it’s a great tool to have in your arsenal if you’re a red wine drinker”
Anthony Zhang, author from vinovest.co
What Is Wine Decanting
Decanting wine means slowly pouring the wine from its bottle into a different container, without disturbing the sediment at the bottom. Wine is often decanted into a glass vessel with an easy-pour neck. Examples include the swan, cornett, duck, and standard decanters, which come in small, medium, and large sizes.
Reasons Why To Decant Wine
There are two primary reasons to decant wine. The first is physical: it is necessary to remove clear wine from solids that have accumulated throughout the aging process. The second action is that of oxygen, which causes some substances locked inside the bottle to be released. Both influence our sense of taste, texture, and scent.
The goal of this process is to allow the wine to breathe , and to expose more surface area for exposure to oxygen, allowing it to improve over time. In some cases, such as champagne or sparkling wines, decanting may be done prior to serving; while others, like red wine, are usually served immediately after opening. Decanting can also reduce oxidation if done properly.
Some winemakers will decant their own bottles because they do not want to risk having any sediment remain in the bottle when they present their wine to guests. Also, wine servers sometimes prefer that the wine be served straight out of the bottle so that there is no need to open the bottle again.
Wine decanters are specifically shaped glassware that allow the wine to realize its flavor potential ahead of serving. Decanters come in various shapes and sizes.”
Danmurphys.com.au
Function of Decanter
A wine decanter’s principal role is to preserve and serve wine while also allowing the wine to breathe. Providing a sufficiently large surface area exposed to the air is vital to the oxygenating process. Therefore, decanters have an essential role to play when being used, especially for Red Wine.
If wine is poured into a glass or bottle without decanting it first, then this can actually be detrimental to its long-term health. This is because most wines are stored in bottles with cork stoppers which do not provide the necessary ventilation required for oxidation to take place. The only exception to this would be if the bottle were filled from the neck down.
A second reason why a decanter should be used as opposed to pouring directly from a bottle is due to the size of the vessel and the amount of liquid that needs to be handled. A typical wine decanter holds between 150–250mls of wine depending on the type of decanter.
It’s important that the decanter does not hold too much wine at any one time so that it is never left sitting undecanted while being drunk. This will often result in the wine drying out and becoming stale due to lack of exposure to air. When using a decanter, it is best practice to pour some wine into the decanter before taking the rest of the wine to drink.
Related
💻Coffee Makers | Kitchen Sink | Personal Blender
Was this helpful?
Hi there! I’m a food enthusiast and journalist, and I have a real passion for food that goes beyond the kitchen. I love my dream job and I’m lucky enough to be able to share my knowledge with readers of several large media outlets. My specialty is writing engaging food-related content, and I take pride in being able to connect with my audience. I’m known for my creativity in the kitchen, and I’m confident that I can be the perfect guide for anyone looking to take their culinary journey to the next level.
