In the time of the origin of winemaking, an exquisite drink was sold in barrels, so it was often presented in clay jars for a feast. For grandees, the supply of grape nectar in a simple dish was considered a bad form, because of this, the glass blowers were decorated with an elegant glass decanter for wine, where the drink could acquire a special color and taste.
What is a decanter and what is it used for?
Decanter is an aesthetic vessel, which got its name from the process( decantation) of wine transfusion from the container where it was stored to the supply container. This procedure carries a simple character: the achievement of cleanliness of the beverage without sediment and its saturation with oxygen from the air. In general, decantation means a chemical action in which a solid is separated from the liquid in a certain amount of time by draining the solution.
Decanter can be seen in a restaurant where it is customary to pour a drink from a bottle into a crystal decanter. To date, many perceive the vessel as a business card of a fashionable establishment, although, in fact, it is more serious. If you do not take into consideration the restaurant etiquette, decanting the wine implies:
- Aeration. The process of natural airing of the liquid, appealing more to the young wine, which has not yet had time to open and show all its taste characteristics.
- Withdrawal from sediment. If this action is not carried out, the drink can give bitterness and viscosity at the pharynx.
Which wines should be decanted
Each grape nectar has its own character, so you need to carefully study all the characteristics before decanting the wine. A young drink needs to be subjected to such a procedure, then it will become more tender and velvety in taste. Buying wine in the liquor department of the supermarket, you can not even think about its decantation. Often such beverages in the industry are subjected to the strictest filtration, which excludes any sediment.
Initially, attention should be given to wines with an exposure time of 2 years. These include such collections of red varieties as Grenache, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Bordeaux, Tuscany. During this time, nectar has time to saturate with oxygen and give a crystalline precipitate. Decanter for a mature wine is recommended to take with a narrow neck and leave there a wine aperitif for a short while, so that the air does not spoil the taste.
Noble white wine connoisseurs do not have to worry about draft, since the drink flaunts in bottles already without it. Maximum can use the aeration process to fill the nectar with ease. Quite differently, things are with rare rare wines. They are so sensitive to oxidation that they are not recommended to be poured from a bottle into a decanter. To such divine drinks it is possible to carry age grades Pinot Noir from Burgundy, Nebbiolo from Piedmont.
How to choose a wine container
The shape and color of a decanter are varied, and are important not only for an exquisite performance, but also for preserving the taste qualities of nectar. For example:
- The decanter for wine, which has not yet opened, will be with a wide bottom and an elongated spiral neck. This structure will allow the drink to come in contact with the surface with air, getting rid of excessive viscosity. Getting into the throat, a thin trickle is even more saturated with oxygen, which will give you the opportunity to feel all the purity of taste.
- For a drink made of white grapes, a vessel resembling a bowl is ideal. Wine liquid will get rid of sulfur dioxide, which is often used in industrial winemaking. Choosing a transparent glass decanter, at the table guests can see the game of iridescent colors. Also masters of wine affairs recommend that the jug be immersed in a container with ice before serving the drink to the table.
- For a mature aged wine decanter - a real work of art! All because this vessel is more a form of self-expression for a noble drink, rather than a quality check. Rare wine passes aeration at the ripening stage in the bottle, so experienced sommelier pours the nectar into the decanter already before serving itself to the feast. Decanter for aged wine helps to control the purity of the drink before bottling into glasses, leaving a residue on the bottom.
Where to buy and how much is
The connoisseurs of wine will be pleasantly surprised by the cost of the decanter, which ranges from 225 to 5800 r. It all depends on what material you want to buy a decanter. Crystal decanters will cost an order of magnitude higher than conventional glass decanters. The form also matters. True, the classic never goes out of fashion, so when you go to a specialized store or website, you can pick up the decanter that you have always dreamed of.
How the decantation of wine is performed
Decanting is not a complicated process, but requires careful execution. To begin with, you need to rinse the container with a small amount of drink, so that the walls are soaked with wine aroma. Wait until the wine drains from the bottle into the decanter with a thin stream. At the end, drink a couple of hours and then serve the divine drink to the table.
How does the decanter for wine
This special decanter, which is suitable for any style of design of the table. Overflowing in the fire of the candles with orange, yellow, pink and pomegranate hues, the vessel will create an atmosphere of comfort and mystery in the room. If you choose a sophisticated model of a decanter with an elongated neck, you will not only experience the pleasure of your favorite drink, but also get aesthetic pleasure, looking at a refined vessel.