The Wine Decanter : There are two types - to enhance your meal and increase your enjoyment : the decanter for separate and the one for aerate !
The Wine Aerating Decanter : Elevate Your Wine Tasting Experience
Wine tasting is a complex sensory experience that goes far beyond just drinking. Wine connoisseurs know this well, which is why they use a wine decanter – one for decanting and another for aerating – to prepare their bottles before serving. It’s not just about tradition or aesthetics ; it’s also about science.
Sommeliers in restaurants are very fond of this practice to serve your precious vintage under the best conditions. It’s not just reserved for a great wine or grand cru; it’s about bringing out a wine’s aromatic profile and enhancing your enjoyment.
Wine Aeration : Oxygenation, A Key Element
Aeration is the process by which wine is exposed to air, usually by pouring it into an aerating decanter. This process has a major effect on the wine, altering its taste and bouquet. Aeration allows the aromas to open up and develop, while oxygen reacts with certain chemical compounds in the wine, softening its taste and balancing its flavors.
Oxygen, beyond its potential to turn your wine into vinegar, also offers a significant advantage for the wine’s molecules. Additionally, most of our wines—whether from wine shops, supermarkets, or your local winemaker—are increasingly embracing organic and biodynamic practices. The impact of this conversion plays a role in the preservation of your wines. We often talk about sulfites in wine, a chemical process that acts as an antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, and preservative, among other things.
Wines produced following organic and biodynamic standards result in a reduction in the use of certain products, such as sulfites. But what does that change, concretely ? When making a wine, everything is done to ensure that it is not exposed to open air to avoid harmful oxidation. This leads to a new taste characteristic : Reduction. We refer to a wine as ‘reduced’ when it lacks sufficient oxygen—fortunately, a ‘flaw’ that can be corrected by… aeration ! This is where your wine decanter comes into play, allowing the wine to ‘breathe’ and eliminating any unpleasant smells like egg, mold, or damp wood caused by reduction !
Of course, it’s possible to decant both white and red wines. Even Champagne, Crémant, Prosecco, and other sparkling wines—more on that later ! Aeration will also have the effect, even if minimal, of oxidizing the tannins, making them less ‘harsh.’ It also softens the acidity of a wine, to a certain extent, with vinegar being the other extreme ! Enhancing your vintages, grand crus, or other fine wines by passing them through a decanter can easily change the way you enjoy wine.
Young and robust wines, especially red wines, often benefit from aeration as it softens their astringency and makes them more pleasant to drink. However, too much aeration can also harm certain wines, particularly older wines that tend to be more delicate. This is why mastering the art of aeration is crucial, and that’s where decanter carafes come into play. To deepen your knowledge of aerating carafes, check out my dedicated article : Wine Carafes Aerate and Enhance Your Bottle, a Top Accessory for 2024.
The Science Behind Wine Carafes and Decanting
Decanter carafes are designed to maximize the aeration of wine in a controlled manner. Their shape allows the wine to spread in a thin layer, thus promoting extensive contact with air. At the same time, the neck of the carafe limits the exposed surface area, ensuring that the wine is not over-aerated. I won’t talk about the ‘decanting tool,’ as I’m not yet an expert on this kind of small accessory.
But then, which decanter should you choose ? The same goes for aerating carafes, but this accessory is a bit less specific since it serves a well-defined purpose.
It allows, through a logical movement, to separate the natural deposit, the sediments, and the tannins that may have formed and settled at the bottom of your wine bottle from your clear wine. Transferring your bottle into your carafe helps avoid adding the sediment into the glass of wine or that of your guests.
Decanting may not seem particularly interesting for white wines, as this is not applicable unless you want a lower oxygenation; the decanter, due to its pouring spout and tighter body, could be a better solution, especially for older red wines.
Most of the time, decanters have a narrower opening to the air, allowing for more controlled aeration! There are always basic parameters to consider, such as the material, shape (very important), capacity, and of course, which type of wine to decant. The material should preferably be crystal.
Crystal, being non-porous, is easier to clean, doesn’t trap the wine’s material, retains no odors, and is more durable over time than glass.
Also, use a candle when decanting or even a flashlight. Place it along the spout and watch your wine flow; stop when you see the sediment starting to arrive and end up in your glass !
Decanters can even include a small built-in filter to ensure a clean tasting experience. For decanters, I recommend checking out the article about the best decanters available on the market : Decanter Carafes for a Meal Without Sediments !
Rinse with wine Your Wine Carafe !
Make sure to rinse your wine carafe. If you’re going to place it on a shelf, in a cabinet, or elsewhere, it may gather some dust or odors depending on the material it’s made from. Rinsing involves pouring a small amount of wine into your carafe, swirling it along the walls, and then discarding that leftover wine to eliminate any odors in the carafe.
Decanting to Elevate Your Wine :
The contact time with air depends on the type of wine. Young, full-bodied wines can be aerated for an hour or more, while older and more delicate wines may only need a few minutes. Temperature also plays an important role, as a warmer wine will open up more quickly.
My one piece of advice is that once the bottle is opened, taste it. If you find it to your liking, go ahead; if you want to give it some air, do so while tasting as it aerates until you find your happy spot.
A study conducted by researchers at the University of California has shown that aeration actually alters the chemical composition of the wine, affecting levels of acids and antioxidants. This can significantly impact the wine’s taste perception. Don’t know how to decant wine ? I suggest you check out this guide where I discuss it : How to Decant Your Wine ?
If you’d like, I can also share the video from Missouri Wines VINO Lovers that explains how to decanter a wine here’s the link : How to Decant Your Wine, in Video !
Conclusion :
The wine decanting or aerating carafe is not just a decorative object for wine lovers; it is also an essential tool for enhancing the tasting experience. The science of wine aeration is a constantly evolving discipline, and modern decanting and aerating carafes are the result of this research.
They allow you to get the most out of each bottle, fully revealing its aromas, bouquet, and flavors while respecting the science behind the process. It’s not just a tool for sommeliers; it’s also accessible to enthusiasts, especially when it comes to enjoying a moment around a bottle you love.
Uncork your bottle, pour the wine along the inside of your wine carafe, and all that’s left is to serve your drink and enjoy !
So, the next time you open a bottle of wine, don’t underestimate the importance of an aerating or decanting wine carafe. They are much more than mere accessories; they are essential elements for elevating your tasting experience.