Why decant wine?
You aerate wine, any wine, to release the trapped gases and ‘bring out the bouquet’ of the wine.
Well, then why decant wine?
That procedure is for your ‘aged wines’; those in your wine cellar guarded over the years for special occasions. They are red wines.
You have these bottles lying down so that the bottom of the bottle is slightly elevated in order that the wine is touching the cork. The cork must be kept moist.
These bottles are left undisturbed. Over the years the sediments in the wine settle along the bottle.
Decanting means planning. So, that special occasion is around the corner.
You go down into your wine cellar and select the bottle(s) you want to drink. This bottle must then be stood upright for a couple of days to allow the sediments to fall to the bottom of the bottle.
You will require a decanter, which is a glass recipient with a large base and a narrow neck.
While dinner is being made, the wine is poured gently into the decanter being careful not to stir up the sediments. The last centimeter (one inch) of wine is left in the bottom of the bottle.
Now the wine has to aerate before tasting/drinking it.
PATIENCE. Pour the wine in glasses with a large bowl – the better for aerating. Now you can finally pass the verdict on the long wait for tasting one of your prize wines.
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