Wine Decanter
Why use wine decanter? What is wine decanter really is? Traditionally, wine decanters have a flat base with a wide bowl (up to 30cm). The neck is usually tapered inwards to an approximate height of 30cm.
Decanters occasionally have stoppers to ‘seal’ the contents until they’re ready to drink. Also, it helps reduce the speed at which wines deteriorate after being exposed to air. In this article, we also have an article about wine decanter that you might want to read about it. Below, I will show you why use wine decanter if a must for you if you are a wine lover.
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
Why Use Wine Decanter
So, why use wine decanter? It’s for decanting the wine. Decanting, like everything else we do to our favorite wines, is intended to enhance the taste and pleasure of drinking wine. There are two basic methods for this to occur.
Allow It to Breathe
Have you ever heard of a wine needing to “breathe”? Doesn’t it sound strange? Actually, they’re suggesting that the wine has to contact with the oxygen in the air for a few minutes so that the tannins soften and the wine’s tastes and aromas become more evident. Decanting enables the wine to do just that.
Your beautiful wine is breathing deeply and waking up in the decanter. This aeration technique is particularly crucial for older vintages that have been locked up in their bottle for a long time and have developed a substantial body of tannins.
However, there is still debate in the oenophile community over how long you should aerate your wine. Some wine experts suggest just a minute or two, while others recommend 20 to 30 minutes for wines older than 15 years.
But don’t be swayed by the roaring discussion. Check it out for yourself. Conducting your own tasting tests is the best technique to determine the ideal time for wine decanting. Drink your wine as soon as it’s out of the bottle. Evaluate. After a few minutes, take another drink. Rep with caution.
If you notice that the tastes get more distinct with time, you’ve found your solution. If the notes appear to get more muffled as your wine spends more time in the open air, you know to decant it less the next time.
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
Get Pure Liquid Gold
Wine decanting is often performed for older wines because sediment forms over time. This is a normal precipitation process; seeing sediment in your wine does not indicate that it has gone bad.
The main problem with sediment is that you don’t typically want to drink it. It won’t damage you, but it’s not very pleasant. It generally has a rough texture and little taste.
If you’ve discovered a fantastic vintage, leave the bottle upright and corked for 12 hours or longer to let the sediment to settle to the bottom. Pour your wine into a decanter when you’re ready to drink it and look for the sediment layer. Stop pouring when the sediment reaches the neck of the bottle.
Allow your decanted wine to settle for a minute and any stray sediment to settle to the bottom of your wine carafe before serving.
Those Exotic Shapes
Sometimes it’s simply enjoyable to go to Amazon and look at all the different shapes and designs for wine decanters that people have come up with. While it may seem absurd to some to purchase a decanter that is 30 inches tall and does not fit in a cabinet, there are certain reasons why you would prefer a different sized decanter.
Apart from removing the wine from the sediment, the purpose of decanting is to expose it to the oxygen in the air. A decanter with a narrow neck and a small base will minimize the quantity of oxygen that comes into contact with your wine. A huge wine decanter with a broad base and fanned aperture, on the other hand, will enable more oxygen to mix with those tannins.
When you first start decanting wine, it’s preferable to start with a decanter that you’re familiar with and that’s simple to clean. You don’t want any soap to get stuck in the decanter and damage your next vintage. For this reason, many wine enthusiasts do not use soap to clean their decanters and instead thoroughly rinse the glass with water.
How Do I Choose a Wine Decanter?
There are various factors that determine whether you should buy a decanter or not. You need to consider how much wine you like drinking and where you will be storing it. A wine decanter can hold up to 2 litres of wine, so if you like drinking more than half a bottle at once then this would be ideal as it will save you from having to pour out one glass every time you want another! If you store your wine in a cupboard or on a shelf, your wine may get oxidised over time.
This is because when it comes into contact with oxygen it turns brown. To prevent this happening, decanting your wine ensures that all of the wine goes through a process called lees-removal. Lees are sedimentary material left behind by dead yeast cells. This means that when wine sits for long periods of time, its natural acidity levels fall and alcohol evaporates away, resulting in a flat taste.
What Size/Shape Should My Wine Decanter Be?
Decanters come in three shapes: cylindrical, conical and spherical. Each shape has its own characteristics. For example, conicals tend to stand upright while cylindrical ones are best stored horizontally. Spherical shaped ones are always kept horizontal to maximise space. You also need to decide what size decanter you want.
Smaller decanters suit smaller bottles of wine , while larger decanters are better suited to large bottles of wine . When choosing a decanter, you need to ensure that it fits comfortably around your neck. It needs to be able to handle the weight of the wine and have enough room inside to rest your hand around the top of the neck without touching any part of the neck itself.
Can I Decorate My Wine Decanter? Do They Cost Extra?
Decanters are fairly cheap, but there are certain things you need to think about before buying one. Firstly, make sure that any decorations are non-toxic and won’t affect the stability of the decanter. Some designs include gold leaf, which could eventually tarnish the decanter and ruin it. Secondly, don’t put anything too heavy onto the bottom of the decanter because it could cause damage.
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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.
