Decanting a bottle of Grange
Decanting a bottle of Grange
I have a bottle of grange from 1999 and I am trying to find out the best way to decant it and if once decanted can it be put back in the bottle for travel purposes to be consumed at a different location? Thanks
Re: Decanting a bottle of Grange
Hi kylee, and welcome!
Ideally stand it up for a day or two first (if you can), then remove the cork (hoping it doesn't crumble - use a sieve to pour through if it does). Get your decanter (or large jug - just ensure it has a wide surface area at the top to give the liquid exposure to air) and pour the wine gently in one long single motion watching out for the usual flow of sediment at the bottom, and stop pouring before you reach the majority of the sediment (a little bit is fine). Often a phone torch shining from underneath through the bottle helps with this.
Give it at least a couple of hours or more, keep it cool where possible, rinse the bottle with pure water (mineral etc should be OK) then pour back in and recork if the cork is good, or use a stopper etc if not. No problem to then travel with it, just keep it upright and don't shake it around too much. But it's a robust big wine so can take a bit of abuse! Keep a nose out for cardboard mouldy smells (or no smell at all) which might indicate some TCA (corked). Use a nice big glass to drink it from too. Don't serve it too warm, this makes a big difference, I would even think about popping it in the fridge for 20-30 mins if the room or transport conditions have had it above 20C. Around 17-18C is probably ideal serving temperature, much warmer will bring out the alcohol and hide some of the complexity.
Really hoping it's a good bottle!
Cheers
TiggerK
Ideally stand it up for a day or two first (if you can), then remove the cork (hoping it doesn't crumble - use a sieve to pour through if it does). Get your decanter (or large jug - just ensure it has a wide surface area at the top to give the liquid exposure to air) and pour the wine gently in one long single motion watching out for the usual flow of sediment at the bottom, and stop pouring before you reach the majority of the sediment (a little bit is fine). Often a phone torch shining from underneath through the bottle helps with this.
Give it at least a couple of hours or more, keep it cool where possible, rinse the bottle with pure water (mineral etc should be OK) then pour back in and recork if the cork is good, or use a stopper etc if not. No problem to then travel with it, just keep it upright and don't shake it around too much. But it's a robust big wine so can take a bit of abuse! Keep a nose out for cardboard mouldy smells (or no smell at all) which might indicate some TCA (corked). Use a nice big glass to drink it from too. Don't serve it too warm, this makes a big difference, I would even think about popping it in the fridge for 20-30 mins if the room or transport conditions have had it above 20C. Around 17-18C is probably ideal serving temperature, much warmer will bring out the alcohol and hide some of the complexity.
Really hoping it's a good bottle!
Cheers
TiggerK
Re: Decanting a bottle of Grange
Im opening a 86 Grange tonight and a 1990 bin 920, any thoughts on decanting ? I was just going to pnp but my mate insist..
Thanks
Thanks
Re: Decanting a bottle of Grange
Same as above!! I've give them both 2 or 3 hours, although if you open and they are smelling superb, perfumed and lifted straight away, I'd just decant for sediment, rinse the bottle and pour back into the bottle. Hope they show well!
Re: Decanting a bottle of Grange
Thanks Tigger, will do
Re: Decanting a bottle of Grange
kylee wrote:I have a bottle of grange from 1999 and I am trying to find out the best way to decant it and if once decanted can it be put back in the bottle for travel purposes to be consumed at a different location? Thanks
....or so you can just scull from the bottle while driving (or skol)
DISCLAIMER: I don't condone drink driving!
Re: Decanting a bottle of Grange
Both wines showed well, grange typical chocolate profile some black fruit and impressive length but fell apart after an hour. The bin 920 was the star , the colour was unreal like it had just been released, bright rasberry red and the palate was fresh with nice acid. Would defently hold another 10-15 yr
-
Bobthebuilder
- Posts: 614
- Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2014 11:13 pm
Re: Decanting a bottle of Grange
wow
would never have thought the grange would fall apart that quickly
but to be honest i haven't had enough old grange to know
would never have thought the grange would fall apart that quickly
but to be honest i haven't had enough old grange to know