When Should You Decant Wines?

Decanting is a process of transferring wine from its bottle to another container before serving it. You can use fancy crystal decanter or a canning jar; the main point is to transfer the wine for beneficial results. Once you buy wine online, decanting wine can serve several purposes, including removing sediment, aerating the wine, and bringing out its flavors and aromas. 

Guidelines on when you should decant wines include:

• Mature wines: Many finer, older wines tend to accumulate sediment over time, and decanting old wines can help to separate the sediment from the wine. Sediment can make the wine taste bitter and gritty, so decanting can improve the wine's taste and texture. Decanting also allows the wine to breathe and release its aromas and flavors, which can be more subtle in older wines.
• For full-bodied red wines: Full-bodied red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux, and Syrah available from California’s best wine store can benefit from decanting. These wines tend to be more tannic, which means they can be harsh and astringent when first opened. Decanting red wines allows the wine to aerate and soften, making it more enjoyable to drink.
• Young and “tight” wines: Young wines, especially those with high tannins, can benefit from decanting to open up and release their flavors and aromas. Tight wines that seem closed or muted can also benefit from decanting to help them express their full potential.
• Some wines with cork taint or other off-flavors will benefit. If you notice that a wine smells musty or like wet cardboard, it may be corked, which means it has been contaminated by bacteria. Decanting can help to reduce the unpleasant aromas and flavors, but it may not completely eliminate them. This can include decanting white wines. 

What Are the Benefits of Decanting Wine?

Decanting allows younger wines that are rich in tannins and other penolics to soften: the tannins become rounder and less harsh. Decanting helps release and enhance the wine's aromas and flavors, allowing for a more complex and nuanced tasting experience.

Decating can also ensure that you do not drink sediment. Any sediment that may have formed, particularly in older wines, can be unpleasant to taste and affect the wine's clarity. 

Finally, decanting improves the overall presentation and enjoyment. Pouring wine into a decanter isan elegant ritual, adding to the aesthetic pleasure of serving and drinking wine, especially with guests. 

How to Decant Wine 

Once you order wine, the decanting process involves transferring wine from its bottle to another container before serving it. 

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to decant wine:

1. Choose a decanter: Select a decanter that's appropriate for the type and amount of wine you're serving. A decanter should have a wide bottom and a narrow neck to allow for maximum aeration.
2. Stand the wine bottle upright: Store the wine bottle upright for several hours before decanting. This allows any sediment to settle to the bottom of the bottle.
3. Open the bottle: Remove the cork or cap from the wine bottle carefully, so as not to disturb any sediment.
4. Hold the decanter at a slight angle: Hold the decanter at a slight angle to the wine bottle, and pour the wine slowly into the decanter. Be careful not to pour the sediment into the decanter.
5. Watch for sediment: As you pour, watch for sediment in the neck of the wine bottle. Stop pouring before any sediment enters the decanter.
6. Let the wine breathe: After decanting, let the wine sit in the decanter for at least 30 minutes to allow it to aerate and release its flavors and aromas.
7. Serve the wine: Pour the wine from the decanter into glasses and serve immediately.
8. Clean the decanter: After serving, clean the decanter thoroughly to prevent any residue from building up and affecting the taste of future wines.

Some prefer to use a funnel with a fine mesh filter to pour the wine into the decanter to prevent any sediment from entering the decanter. Additionally, if you're decanting a very old or delicate wine, it's important to be very gentle when pouring and not to let it aerate for too long, as this can cause the wine to lose its delicate flavors and aromas. 

How to Serve a Decanted Bottle of Wine

If you have decanted the wine to aerate it, then simply wait the appropriate amount of time, bring the decanter to the table, and serve 4-5 ounces in each glass. If you decanted the wine because of sediment, then be extra careful when pouring from the decanter to ensure that you succesfully rid the wine of any solids. The decanter makes this easy to see. 

How Long to Decant 

The length of time that wine should be decanted depends on the type of wine and its age. Here are some general guidelines on how long to decant wine:

• Light-bodied red wines: Light-bodied red wines like Pinot Noir and Beaujolais should be decanted for 15-30 minutes to allow them to breathe and release their flavors.
• Medium to full-bodied red wines: Medium to full-bodied red wines like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah should be decanted for 1-2 hours to soften their tannins and allow them to fully express their aromas and flavors.
• Old or mature wines: Old or mature wines should be decanted carefully to avoid over-aeration. These wines should be decanted for 30 minutes to 1 hour to remove any sediment and allow them to open up. 

We hope you enjoyed learning about how and when to decant wine! Please leave us a comment below and check out the numerous other information wine articles at Bottle Barn!