Decanters, What Are They Good For?

When drinking wine at a restaurant, decanting wine can be very romantic, mysterious and sometimes intimidating. But why do we do it? What is the benefit of decanting wine? There are three basic reasons:

The first is to separate the liquid from any sediment that has formed in the bottle. Depending upon how the wine was produced, sediment can form in a bottle that has been aged just a few years to more than 10 years. The second is to soften and bring some maturity to younger wines. When exposed to oxygen in a wide-based decanter, some of the harsher elements of young wine can be softened. Therefore, many young bottles of red wine, regardless of the price, can benefit from being decanted. The third reason for decanting wine is for the esthetic purpose, romance and awe. Decanting wine can bring a hint of elegance and ambiance to the entire dining experience.

If you have yet to ask for wine to be decanted at a restaurant, I encourage that you do so. It is a wonderful experience.