Wine Decanter – Why should I use one?

The Question is asked quite a lot about whether or not to use a decanter when serving wine. The answer very much depends on what you are using it for and what sort of wine you have. The experts at The Perfect Cellar will show you the reasons to use one, designs of decanter and how to maintain it.

Removing Sediment with a Decanter

One of main reasons you may wish to use a decanter is to remove the sediment that may have formed. The older the wine is, the more likely it is to throw a sediment. This is more true of red wine than white wine as the skins are used in red wine making. Imagine the colour in wine is just teeny tiny particles of grape skin that give the wine its colour. As the wine gets older these particles fall out of suspension and fall to the bottom as sediment. For older wine it is always worth using a decanter to remove this sediment.

Also there are more and more wines available now that have undergone minimal or no filtration and/or fining (fining clarifies the wine, filtering then removes the bits). This means there are still ‘bits’ of grape in the bottle that again, will fall to the bottom as sediment. Most wines made like this will mention it on the label so use of a decanter is advisable. It is also wise to put organic, biodynamic, and natural wine in a decanter for this reason.

When pouring wine into a decanter for this purpose pour slowly and towards the bottom of the bottle, turn the bottle as you pour so that the sediment gets trapped in the shoulders. A good tip is to have a candle behind the bottle so as you pour you can see the sediment collecting. Remember, if you do end up with some sediment in your glass, it is totally harmless. Think of it as solid bits of wine, everything in it is intrinsic to the grape. It’s just like if a teabag has split in the pot.

Visit The Perfect Cellar for some of the latest fine wines on the Market here and keep your eyes peeled for new tips on what wines to pick and how to store them.