VinoLoverIf you are a red wine lover, using a decanter can be a great idea, especially if you tend to go for cheaper options. Decanting oxygenates the wine, which helps to improve the taste by softening the astringent tannins and giving room to the fruity and floral aromas.
Decanting basically consists of pouring the wine into the decanter so that it can hit the glass walls. You can also increase the entry of oxygen into the wine by rotating the decanter and taking it from the neck.
Tell me your wine and I will tell you the ideal decanter
Each type of wine has different needs. The more body the wine has, the higher its tannin level will be, and therefore it will need a wider base for more oxygen to enter to decant faster.
In this way, we observe that for each style of wine, decanters with different shapes are suitable:
- In full-bodied red wines, like Cabernet Sauvignon, it’s best to use a decanter with a wide base.
- In medium-bodied red wines, such as Merlot, it is convenient to use a medium-size decanter.
- In light-bodied red wines, such as Pinot Noir, the ideal is to serve them in a small or medium decanter previously cooled.
- Although white and rosé wines do not need to be decanted, a small chilled decanter can be used.
Another useful tip to take into account when choosing the ideal decanter is that it should be practical, that is, easy to fill, easy to empty and, above all, easy to wash. Let us not forget that it is not a piece of decoration, but it must be a functional tool.
How much time does your wine need to decant properly
Decanting time can vary greatly depending on the type of wine. While full-bodied wines and old red wines take the longest, needing between one and two hours, other lighter wines may need much less. The estimated average is usually about 40 minutes.
VinoLover
Claudio Comella
