Decanting a Bottle of Wine – Older Wines will Benefit from the Process

There are many reasons why you should consider decanting a bottle of wine. Some reasons are purely aesthetic, while others are more practical.

On the aesthetic side, wine decanters are beautiful works of art that add class and elegance to any room—especially when they actually contain wine. Throughout history, decanters have played an important role in the serving of wine and are even featured in important historical writings, such as the Bible. The use of glass dates back to Syria in 5000 BC, but the Romans popularized it for wine decanters. Before this, wine was commonly stored in clay pots, which allowed it to turn into vinegar quickly. Glass decanters helped keep wine for longer and in better condition while removing much of the sediment. Modern decanters are made of crystal and are quite eye-catching, adding a touch of class to any social occasion where wine is served.

However, some people disdain the use of decanters, and many who own them don’t use them at all. They have valid points. The main complaint about decanters is that they are difficult to clean properly. By design, they have a long, narrow throat and neck, which limits the amount of air entering the body of the decanter and concentrates the bouquet. While this design is excellent for its purpose, it can make cleaning a challenge. A wine decanter must be sparkling clean, inside and out, to perform its job properly.

How to Clean Your Wine Decanter

Fortunately, this cleaning problem is easy to solve with the right tools and techniques. Many companies make specialty wine decanter cleaning brushes that can be bent into any shape needed to reach all areas inside the bottle. If you don’t have these, I strongly recommend you get a set—they are inexpensive and invaluable. Next, I suggest getting a set of Cham-Wow towels, available at most Wal-Marts. These towels are amazing: they absorb over 100 times their weight in water, and when you wring them out by hand, they are completely dry and ready to go again. They are also very soft, like real chamois, and won’t scratch or mar any surfaces, making them excellent for buffing and polishing. Best of all, they are machine-washable and come out spotless every time. They never stain, no matter what.

I am meticulous about cleaning anything I may cook, eat, or drink from, and here’s how I clean and sterilize my decanters:

• NEVER USE SOAP OR DETERGENTS. They can affect the wine, even after rinsing.
• Never put crystal in a dishwasher. It will cause permanent water spots and dull the finish.
• Fill the decanter ¾ full with hot water. Use the decanter brushes to scrub the inside well and rinse 2–3 times with more hot water. This loosens and softens any dried residue.
• Drop a handful of raw rice into the decanter.
• Pour enough white vinegar into the decanter to cover the rice about an inch deep.
• With the stopper in place, shake the decanter well from all angles, making sure the rice scours all areas inside. Let it sit for 24 hours, shaking it every few hours.
• Pour out the vinegar and rice, and rinse the decanter with warm water until there’s no more vinegar smell.
• Soak the decanter in a sink of cold water with a splash of chlorine bleach. Let it soak for 20 minutes, then rinse well with cold water until there’s no chlorine smell left.
• Allow the decanter to air dry upside-down for 10 minutes. Then wrap a small Cham-Wow (or paper towel) around the decanter brush and wipe out any remaining water drops. This prevents water spots and buffs the inside to a beautiful sheen.
• Buff the outside of the decanter with a dry Cham-Wow until it sparkles. From now on, only handle it with a towel or limit contact with your hands to preserve its shine.
• When storing the decanter, leave the stopper out for a few hours to air out. Avoid handling it unnecessarily, as oils from your hands will dull the sheen.

When you clean your decanter like this, it will never carry over any off tastes, and it will be sparkling clean and shiny, inside and out.

Keeping your decanter clean is just one part of the process. There is more to decanting a bottle of wine than simply transferring it into a new container. It must be done with respect and care, keeping in mind the reason for decanting. Wines—especially older reds—benefit greatly from the aeration that occurs during the decanting process. It allows them to mature gracefully and show their true magnificence. Decanting also removes sediment from older wines, which can adversely affect the taste. For younger wines, the aeration during decanting helps tame the tannins in a less-than-fully-aged wine, allowing the character to mature faster, so it can reach its fullest potential in less time. Think of it as a nurturing process.

I hope your wine has been stored on its side in a cool, dark place. Before decanting, set the bottle upright for 6 hours to allow any sediment to settle at the bottom. From now on, handle the bottle gently with minimal shaking.

Steps for Properly Decanting Wine

• Gather your decanter, a portable light source (that you don’t have to hold), a corkscrew, and any other necessary tools.
• Open the bottle of wine, including removing the neck wrapper, so you can see the neck. Be careful not to shake or jostle the bottle.
• Position the light source so you can clearly see through the neck of the bottle. You’ll need to monitor the flow of wine closely.
• Holding the decanter with one hand and the bottle in the other, slowly and evenly pour the wine into the decanter. Do this carefully, watching for any sediment that may be moving toward the neck.
• If you see sediment moving into the neck, stop pouring gently. This typically happens during the last ½ cup of wine. You can let it sit for a bit and see if the sediment settles before attempting to pour more wine. If the sediment tries to come out again, leave the rest of the wine in the bottle.
• Put the stopper in the decanter and store it. Don’t throw away any leftover wine—use it for cooking. If it turns to vinegar, don’t discard it; wine vinegar is an expensive and valuable cooking ingredient.

Now you have a crystal-clear wine in a beautiful decanter, ready to be enjoyed at its peak. Impress your friends with it—you’ve earned the privilege. And that’s all there is to properly decanting a bottle of wine.