Wine decanting is a popular practice which allows wine to breathe before it is enjoyed. This process improves the flavour as well as the aroma of the wine. There are different types of decanters available and you can decant just about every type of wine, except for sparkling wines and champagne.

Cheap wine

We have all had the experience of buying a bottle of wine for the first time only to find that it’s not as great as we’d hoped. Cheap wines can greatly benefit from decanting. A strong aroma of a cheap wine can affect the flavour. By decanting the bottle, you allow the aromas to escape and they are no longer as strong which makes the wine easier to drink.

Decant half a bottle

If you are planning on decanting a more expensive bottle of wine, you should only decant half a bottle at a time. You don’t need to allow this wine as much time to breathe which is why decanting can be done in smaller quantities.

Choosing a decanter

As important as it is to choose the right type of wine for your guests, it’s also important to choose the right decanter. Decanters are available in various shapes and sizes. Some are larger than others so you should choose one that will suit your needs. Take a good look at the shape of the decanter and consider how easy it will be to clean.

Decanter cleaning

When you are done wine decanting and all of your guests have left, it’s time to clean up. Cleaning your decanter should not be a chore. The first thing you should remember is to avoid using soap to clean inside the decanter. This is because it is difficult to remove the soap residue completely and this can affect the flavour of the next bottle you decanter. If you must use soap, make sure that it is fragrance free. Wash the exterior with hot water and the interior with cold water. This helps prevent the glass from becoming foggy. Turn the decanter upside down and place it on a paper towel. Allow to drip dry. Also, it’s a good idea to place the decanter in a larger bowl so that air can circulate throughout the decanter as it dries.

Wine decanting is not rocket science. It’s just important to allow your wine to breathe for the required amount of time. The older the bottle, the longer it needs to breathe. Cheap wines benefit from longer decanting times too.