The Mystery of Decanting

Decanting is a strange word to many people. Some do not even know what it means exactly. Taking the sophistication out of it, decanting literally means pouring the wine from the bottle to a special glass container. This is done in order to expose the wine to oxygen and enrich it.

What is the meaning of this process? Do all wines benefit from decanting or not?

The wine experts are not in agreement. Some say wine should be decanted in order to allow it to "breathe" and develop fully before consumption. Others claim decanting does not contribute to the quality of the wine.

So who is right? Well, the truth is somewhere in the middle. Decanting does seem to benefit certain wines more than others. Most red wines, except for the very aged and some white ones would definitely benefit from decanting 1-2 hours before serving. Young red wines, on the other hand, which are low in tannins, light and fruity, would not improve if allowed to oxidize. There are also wines that would actually suffer from decanting. Those are the aged reds. Their quality could worsen if allowed too much contact with air.

Another important factor in decanting is keeping the right temperature of the wine until it's time to serve it. When it comes to white wine, one could easily place the decanter in a bigger bucket filled with cold water or ice. That would guarantee a crisp wine ready to serve and enjoy. However, when it comes to red wine, keeping the ideal temperature for serving is more difficult. The same technique as for white wine could be applied but with a minor difference - the temperature of the water in the bucket should be controlled by a thermometer. It may seem like a hassle but the exercise is well worth it.

Finally, a few words of wisdom - don't be afraid to experiment! Sooner or later you'll be surprised to find that you also have an opinion about decanting which you could adamantly defend!

http://www.wines-resource.com

In The News:

pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


The Harmony Between Food and Wine

Wine is a social drink which should be enjoyed in... Read More

How To Open Champagne

I manage a highly regarded web community for corporate flight... Read More

Build Your Own Wine Rack (In An Afternoon)

A good drink is what even Gods enjoy and to... Read More

Pairing Food and Wine is a Matter of Taste

First off let me say that I am in no... Read More

Champagne

Champagne is without question the finest sparkling wine made in... Read More

France Car Hire

Here is a quick summary of the different French wine... Read More

The Ten Most Important Wine Label Terms

For the average wine consumer, there is a plethora of... Read More

Chardonnay Wine

Chardonnay is the world's most popular white wine grape. Chardonnay... Read More

Buying Wine, How to Read a Wine Label and Select a Great Bottle of Wine

I must admit, that for many of us, walking into... Read More

Barbera Wine

Barbera is a wine grape variety from Monferrato in Piemonte,... Read More

Hosting A Wine Tasting Party

As your love and knowledge of wine grows, it is... Read More

Merlot Wine

Merlot wine is a rich, soft wine with the flavor... Read More

The Mystery of Decanting

Decanting is a strange word to many people. Some do... Read More

Food - Wine Pairing Tips For French and Italian Wines

Many people are intimidated by the task of selecting wine... Read More

Start Your Wine Cellar The Right Way

One of the great joys of wine is to be... Read More

Burgundy Wine

Burgundy red wines are produced in an area of France... Read More

A Private Owners Guide to Bottling Fine Whisky

The majority of private owners of whisky casks are looking... Read More

Explore the U.S. Wine Trails

Follow a Local Wine Trail to Discover the Secrets of... Read More

Carignane Wine

The Carignane grape variety is one of the most widely... Read More

Gewurztraminer Wine

Gewurztraminer is an excellent and unique grape variety that is... Read More

Red Wine Compound May Extend Life

Good news! A recent study suggested that resveratrol, a red... Read More

Bordeaux Wine

Bordeaux is a region in France that produces some of... Read More

Wine and Your Health

During the 1990s, a physician voiced on a national TV... Read More

Australian Wines

Australia's wine industry has boomed in the past ten years.... Read More

Overcoming Red Wine Spills

Red wine spills can be a disaster whether they occur... Read More

Chablis Wine

Chablis is thought to have originated in northern Spain and... Read More

Australia Is More Than Jacobs Creek

The Jacobs Creek Brand of wines have taken the world... Read More

Wine Etiquette With Ease

Correct wine etiquette makes the tasting experience much more enjoyable.... Read More

Sauvignon Blanc Wine

Sauvignon Blanc wine is crisp, high in acidity and light-... Read More

Ideal Wine Temperature

The ideal temperature to store wines is between 55ºF and... Read More

DWI and Blood Alcohol Concentration: What does it mean?

Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is the relationship between the amount... Read More

Tequila

It was once a ritual usually performed by a man.... Read More

Beer, Wine and Your Bones

If you like the taste of a good brew, then... Read More