The Auswine Forum

As someone in the early stages of red wine drinking I was wondering what peoples opinions of decanting win were. Are some decanters better than others? Old versus young wines? etc.

guest wrote:As someone in the early stages of red wine drinking I was wondering what peoples opinions of decanting win were. Are some decanters better than others? Old versus young wines? etc.

Decanting wine, young and old can be very beneficial. Enables the fruit to rise above the structure of young wines and allows the fruit to rise from any bottle stink in old wines, as well as getting rid of sediment. Some old wines even need considerable time in a decanter to show their best.

Any decanter that allows considerable air contact is good... even my Krosno water jug.

Adair

Decanters are a good investment for both young and old wines.

Many young wines really benefit as blossom with a good airing. In fact, some young wines that I know need air to show well, I've just unceremoniously upended the bottle into the decanter for a real mix with air to good effect.

Older wines it helps get them going and also dissapate bottle smells. Careful pouring is what's needed here to keep any sediment in the bottle.

As for styles it's a personal prefernce thing but myself and most of my associates use the "Turn" style decanter. having a few of those on the table at a dinner party is a great look.

Decanting wine the most inexact science.

Presentation wise, I am wandering back to double decanting. Decanting the wine and then rinsing the bottle in spring water and not tap water ( especially South Aussie's who get leftover water from the Murray ) to get rid of the crust.

I have 3-4 lab flasks for such a purpose, cheap, functional, they do the job fine. A couple of better ones for more ceremonial occasions, but this way I break and chip much fewer!!

Cheers

Some of the tasting notes I've read talk about giving time to the wine to open up. Give it an hour, or two, or four, or even the next day in some cases. This implies that you are slowly drinking the nectar, watching how it may change and develop. Does this mean you will leave the wine open in the bottle or decanter, cork the bottle, or maybe use a vacuseal?