The Best Way to decant wine
Decanting wine is super easy! Here's how to do it in a few simple steps:
- Get a clean decanter (that's a special glass container for wine)
- Hold a light source (like your phone's flashlight) under the neck of the wine bottle
- Slowly pour the wine into the decanter at a 45-degree angle
- Watch the light through the bottle's neck - stop pouring when you see sediment reaching the neck
Why do this? It makes your wine taste better by:
- Adding oxygen to make it smoother
- Removing any sediment (those grainy bits at the bottom)
- Helping the wine's aromas open up
For most wines, let them sit in the decanter for about 30 minutes before drinking. Young red wines can sit longer (1-2 hours), while older wines need less time (15-30 minutes).
Sources:
Wine Spectator's Guide to Decanting
Food & Wine's Decanting Tips