Decanting Helps A Wine To Breathe
Decanting is the movement of wine from its original container to
a fresh glass receptacle, leaving the sediment behind. It is supposed
to allow the wine to breathe and improve the bouquet.
Stand The Bottle Upright
It is customary to stand the bottle upright for up to two days before
decanting to let the sediment settle. Remove the cork. Hold the
bottle over a light or candle so that you can watch for the sediment
as you pour the wine slowly into the decanter. Watch carefully and
stop before the sediment leaves the bottle.
Clean The Bottle First
Clean around the top of the bottle immediately after removing the
cork. A slightly mouldy or old cork can affect the wine as it is
poured.
Sediment Will Affect The Taste
It's usual to decant fine old red wines and some ports that have
spent most of their lives maturing in bottle, as they throw a deposit
or crust which if allowed into the glass, would sully the appearance
and affect the taste.
Is It Always Neccesary?
There is some controversy as to whether decanting is necessary other
than to separate off the sediment. When this debate was put to the
test in Decanter Magazine (December 1997) it was concluded that
decanting too long in advance was not that beneficial. The best
option seems to be 'just to open and serve'.
Letting A Young Wine Develop
Exposure to air is said to improve the bouquet of young wines and
can give the wine a chance to bloom and attain a stage of development
that normally requires years of ageing.
Decanting The Occasional White Wine
Oaked wines, notably Chardonnay, are most susceptible to changes
prompted by decanting white wine. High acidity, unoaked varieties
such as Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc are relatively unchanged by
limited exposure to oxygen.
Chosing The Right Decanter
A wider necked decanter will let in more air and should be used
with wines that are to be drunk that day. Thinner necked decanters
would be better if you intended to keep the wine or port overnight.
One For Skinflints
Decanters also make the wine look better quality (fool your guests
by buying less expensive wine in a restaurant, but requesting it
to be decanted).
The Expert's Opinion
If you are still in some confusion, you could follow the advice
of Bordeaux negociant Christian Moueix: 'I prefer to decant wines,
both young and old. It is a sign of respect for old wines and a
sign of confidence in young wines.'
