A wine decanter should be much more than an eye-catching item to display on your bar cart. Decanting involves slowly pouring the wine from its bottle into a separate vessel, allowing it to breathe and separate from any sediment that may have formed. Sediment in wine is a natural occurrence that happens as wines age, especially in red wines. It consists of tannins, pigments, and other solids that settle at the bottom of the bottle over time. While harmless to consume, wine sediment can affect the taste and texture of your wine if not properly handled.
Vinturi, Coravin and Wine Enthusiast are just some of the aerator brands recommended to us by experts. A wine aerator helps to expose the wine to air, enhancing its flavors and aromas. This is particularly useful for younger wines that may benefit from aeration to soften harsh tannins and open up the wine's bouquet. Aerators can also help to remove any lingering sediment in the wine, further improving its clarity and taste.
Nothing beats a bottle of wine with dinner. But you want your wine to have the best possible flavor and scent, especially if it's a vintage. Decanting older wines can help to separate any sediment that has formed over time and allow the wine to fully express its complex flavors. It also gives the wine a chance to breathe and develop, enhancing its overall drinking experience.
By keeping sediment out of waterways, California wineries and farms are playing a key role in protecting endangered salmon and trout. Sediment runoff from vineyards can harm aquatic ecosystems by smothering fish eggs and disrupting their habitats. Wineries are increasingly implementing sustainable practices to reduce sediment runoff, such as cover cropping, erosion control, and sediment traps.
As an Italian wine specialist, I unsurprisingly love aged Barolos, Barbarescos, and Brunellos. The one thing I'd never do? Decant them. Older wines, especially those with delicate flavors, can be easily overwhelmed by decanting. Instead, I prefer to carefully pour the wine into a glass, leaving any sediment behind in the bottle, and allowing the wine to gently aerate on its own.
Camille Lindsley, beverage director at NYC's HAGS, says this affordable stainless steel gadget will come in handy more than you might think, especially when dealing with sediment in wine. Stainless steel wine filters can help to remove any sediment that may have slipped through during decanting, ensuring a smoother drinking experience. They are easy to use and clean, making them a convenient tool for any wine lover.
Sommelier André Hueston Mack returns to demonstrate tools designed for opening, preparing, tasting, and preserving wine. His expertise in handling wine sediment and other wine-related issues makes him a valuable resource for wine enthusiasts looking to enhance their wine-drinking experience. From corkscrews to decanters, Mack offers insights into the best tools for every step of the wine journey.
From which wines to decant to candles, 'ah-sos' and those troublesome crumbling corks — wine specialist Charles Foley offers his top tips for dealing with wine sediment and other common wine-related challenges. Foley's experience in the wine industry has given him a wealth of knowledge on how to properly handle sediment in wine and ensure a pleasurable drinking experience for all.
We evaluated dozens of wine decanters and chose our favorites for all types of wine drinkers. These are the best wine decanters, selected for their quality, design, and functionality. Whether you're a novice wine enthusiast or a seasoned sommelier, a good decanter can make a world of difference in how your wine tastes and smells. Choose from a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials to find the perfect decanter for your wine collection.
