I get asked a lot about various wine gadgets, but truth be told, I like to keep things pretty simple. Great stemware is nice and I’m more than partial to my favorite corkscrew, but one thing that I notice wine drinkers not doing enough of: decanting their wines.
In addition to aerating wines that need a bit more time to open up, decanters are also ideal for older and unfiltered wines that may have accumulated a bit of sediment. Plus, they take a regular wine experience from everyday to festive in a flash!
As we move into the colder months, people tend to drink bigger, bolder reds. Often, these are the most prime candidates for decanting. And while decanters CAN be pricey, they needn’t be! Check out some of my favorite elegant decanters that won’t break the bank- all are under $40!
Do you decant your wines?
Dan L -
Alison, I was surprised to find that I actually own your first two decanter options. Admittedly, though, I do not use them as often as I probably should. I have two different reasons for not using them often that I believe are sufficient. The first is that I enjoy experiencing the changes that a wine makes from the beginning to the end of the bottle. This adds to the overall enjoyment for me and helps the wine tell its story. This depends on the bottle, of course, as some just absolutely require aeration from the get-go. My second reason, and the best, is that I’m just too lazy to wash and try the decanter. There, I said it and I’m not taking it back. Of course it’s the desire for shortcuts that has led to the development of so many of the gadgets out there in the first place, right?
AlisonMarriott -
I hear ya, Dan! Our crystal decanter gets used far less often as it is difficult to wash, but we just put the less expensive ones in the dishwasher! Cheers!
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