Notes On Decanting
Decanting wine, the process of pouring wine from its bottle in a decanter or a similar vessel, serves several purposes that can enhance your wine-drinking experience. Back in my sommelier days at Everest, I would decant wines table side over a candle which lent the practice an intimidating and fancy vibe but at its core decanting is a very simple process - you’re merely transferring wine from the bottle to another container. The reason for decanting depends on the age of the wine. For younger reds, decanting helps soften the tannins and opens up the wine. Think of this as yoga for wine - the oxygen helps relax the tight texture allowing for additional aromas to emerge. For older red wines the reason is to remove sediment. Older red wines and some vintage ports often develop sediment over time. Decanting helps to separate this sediment from the liquid, providing a clearer and more enjoyable wine experience. The candle illuminates the neck of the bottle and when the sommelier sees sediment, this tells her to stop decanting. A third reason to decant a wine is to raise the temperature. This might be necessary if you’re pulling the bottle from your wine fridge and it’s too cold. Here are some additional tips on how to decant.
Let’s consider Uncle Bob the Wine Snob who insists on having the waiter pull the cork on a bottle and letting it breath before pouring. Good intentions aside, pulling the cork doesn’t do much. You need to get oxygen moving through the wine which is where decanting will help. What about those wine aerators? Do they really work? Truth be told - I don’t have much experience with them as I find decanting does the same thing.
Choose the Right Decanter: select a decanter with a wide base for maximum air exposure. Also think about how you’re going to clean it. Many of the more expensive and elaborate decanters have long, swooping necks that look fabulous but often prove a little tricky when it comes time to clean them. Some decanters also require you to completely invert them upside down in order to get all of the wine out. I’m not a fan of this as doing so can create quite a mess on your table cloth! The three decanters above are my go-to’s. They are all easy to clean and use and they look terrific sitting on your dinner table. Plan on spending about $35-$50 on a good quality decanter.
How to Decant: Pour the wine slowly into the decanter, allowing it to cascade down the sides. This process maximizes oxygen exposure. Let the wine sit in the decanter for 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on the wine’s structure and age. There’s not right or wrong answer on how long in advance to decant younger wines. Taste the wine and see if how it’s doing. If it’s concentrated and tight, you’ll know it might need more time. But also keep in mind, that the fun of wine is watching it develop over the course of a couple of hours. This is how your learn its secrets! Now for older wines (10+ years), the aromatics tend to be quite delicate and fleeting so it’s important to not decant too far in advance. You want to enjoy the fruit for as long as possible!
Additional Notes on Decanting Older Bottles: if possible, stand the bottle up for at least 6 hours before decanting. This will allow any sediment to fall to the bottom of the bottle. In fancier restaurants where standing the bottle up in advance is not a possibility, sommeliers will remove the wine from the shelf and place the bottle in a basket. This is called basket decanting. Remove the capsule from the bottle, wipe off any dirt or debris and remove the cork. Keep in mind, corks on older bottles may require an Ah-So or other specialty gadget to prevent the cork from breaking during its removal. Grab a flashlight or candle and slowly decant the bottle with the light illuminating the neck. Once you see sediment, it’s time to stop!
Decanting wine is a simple yet effective way to elevate your wine-drinking experience. By allowing your wine to breathe and separating any sediment, you can fully appreciate its aromas, flavors and textures. Whether you’re enjoying a young, robust red or an aged vintage, decanting can make a notable difference in your wine enjoyment.