A decanter is something that is used to hold liquid that may contain some sediment. It is a vessel that holds the decantation of a liquid. It is usually used to hold wine.
Decanters are stylish ways to display your favorite liquors or wines and they can also enhance the flavor of the liquid. There are many different types of decanters and benefits of using them. Read on to find out all about them!
Frequently Asked Questions
You may have heard of a wine decanter but not be completely sure of its purpose of one.
While you may be under the impression that wine decanters are just about making your wine experience snobbier and more classy looking.
This is not the case, however. Wine decanters have the ability to take your wine tasting to a whole new level as it takes your wine through the procedure called decantation. The purpose of a wine decanter is to be able to store wine and serve it while also giving it the ability to breathe.
Giving your wine the ability to breathe is crucial to the oxygenating process as an adequate amount of the surface area has to be exposed to the air.
As well as this, the process of a decanter also allows you to filter out any sediment or excess cork that might be found in some wines. This is more common in red wines and removing the crumbled cork means that you can remove some of the bitter taste that sometimes comes with aged wines.
Usually, a wine decanter will have a wide bowl with a flat bottom. The bowl is usually up to 30cm wide. Usually, the neck will curve inwards at about 30cm in height. They are usually the size of around one bottle of wine.
The History Of The Decanter
Historically, the purpose of a decanter is to hold a beverage that usually contains sediment. The decanting process allows the liquid that is clear to become separated from the rest of the drink which allows for a better drinking experience.
Historically, the decanter was also used to make the wine easier to handle by the servers. As the wine is poured into the smaller container, the servant at dinner will find it easier to pour out the wine.
The decanter does not always contain wine, it can contain other beverages. There are many drinks that can also be put into a decanter.
Hop and apple-based drinks are commonly placed in decanters. Spirits and liqueurs are also commonly housed in a decanter.
Types Of Decanter
Wine Decanters
These decanters are used to enhance your wine-drinking experience. There are a variety of sizes and designs of wine decanters.
Most wine decanters are open and there is no lid included. This allows the wine to breathe. Letting the wine breathe is great for releasing the flavors that were dormant when they are enclosed.
Whiskey Decanters
Whiskey decanters are popular as they help to make the liquor breathe. They also look great on your shelf! Most whiskey decanters have decorations on them because they have a decorative addition to them and look great.
Decanter Materials
Glass
Most decanters are made from glass. This gives the decanter a thick wall and they are a very popular version of a decanter. Most of these types of decanter are dishwasher safe which means they are very easy to clean up.
Crystal
Crystal decanters are very durable and are very high quality. Because of the cost of these decanters, they are very stylish.
However, you can’t leave your wine in a crystal decanter for too long as sometimes there are traces of lead in the crystal.
Ceramic
Some decanters are made of ceramic. This is great for keeping the temperature of the decanter level. They are heavier than other types of decanters and very brittle.
Decanters For Red Wine
Red wine is best served in medium-sized decanters. The bowl decanters are the best choice for serving red wines.
Decanters For White Wine
It is easier to decant white wines than red wines. For white wine, it is fine to decant white wine into any vessel, but smaller vessels are much better for white wine.
White wines don’t contain any sediment so it is unlikely to ruin the wine or affect it in any way.
Things To Look Out For When Buying A Decanter
When you are purchasing a decanter, you should consider the following things:
- You should think about whether the product is dishwasher safe. This will make the cleanup very easy and will mean you won’t have to handwash the items.
- Spill-proof. It is important to ensure that you get a decanter with a sturdy seal so that you can ensure that you don’t spill your liquid.
- Microwave-safe. Ensure that your product is microwave-safe in case you want to microwave it for any reason.
- Lid. Consider whether you want a decanter with a lid or not. This means that if you don’t drink the wine in one go, you can keep it fresh and stop it from becoming over-exposed.
- Glasses come with it. If you are looking for a decanter that comes with matching glasses, you can choose one that has wine glasses included. Having a sec means that your bar will look very complete.
- Gift boxes. If you are looking to give a decanter as a gift, it is nice to give one with a gift box.
- Tray. You may want your decanter to come with a tray because it will look very stylish on your shelf.
Conclusion
Now you have all the information you need about decanters, why they’re used, and which style to go for. If you’re looking for a wine decanter or a whiskey decanter, you can make the best decision based on this information!
There are many things to consider when you are choosing a decanter but if you have all the right information you shouldn’t have any issues!
