If you love wine, you'll find these beautiful crystal decanters in your favorite bars and restaurants. At least one of your wine-loving friends is around too! Decanters are part of wine culture and play an important role. Yes, decanters are more than just looks.
The problem is, not everyone knows how to use a decanter, so these beautiful jars end up being forgotten on the shelf, where they collect years of dust. Let's change that. Let's talk about sobering. Here's what you need to know, from sobering up to how to sober up.
What is sobering up?
A decanter is any vessel used to separate wine from sediment or solids that settle to the bottom of the bottle after several years of storage. These sediments are harmless, but they can make your wine look cloudy, so most people prefer to separate the liquid from the sediment, which is where a decanter comes in.
Decanting is a rare practice, mainly because 99% of wine bottles on the market are sediment-free. Only well-aged, age-worthy red wines develop sediment, and these wines require decanting.
How is wine decanted? Just quickly pour the contents of the wine bottle into the decanter so as not to stir up the sediment. A light source under the neck of the bottle helps you know when to stop pouring! that's it!
Difference Between Decantation and Aeration
Decanters are pretty much useless in a world where wine doesn't form sediment, but there are other uses for these beautiful pieces. Decanters are a great way to expose wine to air and oxygen.
In contact with air, the wine "opens" and becomes more aromatic. Some wines are inherently shy and can benefit from aeration, but even regular wines become more pleasing when poured into a decanter.
Special wine equipment or aerators can enrich wine with oxygen without a decanter. Some are easy to adjust at the mouth or neck of the bottle, allowing you to quickly pour aerated wine.
Which wines need sobering?
Interestingly, you can use a decanter to add oxygen to any style of wine, including red, white, and rosé. Some people even pour sparkling wines into glass bottles, which makes them more expressive even if the wine has lost its sparkle.
If you feel your wine isn't looking its best, try pouring it out. You don't even need a fancy decanter, just transfer it to another container; it's even better if it has a wide surface that allows the wine to be exposed to the air. When that day comes, you'll know what to do when you find yourself with a bottle of wine with a deposit.
Do you really need a decanter?
Short answer? No you don't need glass bottles to enjoy wine. However, the more you fall in love with this precious drink, the more you want to build your gadget collection. There's nothing wrong with having a decanter nearby, and with the tips above, you can use it every time you open a bottle.
To Decant or Not to Decant? It's up to you. Finally, a decanter can make your wine experience more enjoyable. Pour, aerate or enjoy your wine as is. Regardless, wine rarely disappoints.
