Those of us who are not familiar with the intricacies of wine drinking will wonder about that glass vessel that is usually found among wine bottles in a bar cabinet. That is called a wine decanter. Decanters are normally used for serving wine. They come in various shapes and designs. Decanters are usually made of inert materials; the most common being glass.

Decanting is simply the transferring of the contents of a wine bottle to another receptacle – the decanter. This is done for two reasons. First, slow and careful decanting allows wine (particularly older wine) to separate from its sediment, which, if left mixed in with the wine, will impart a very noticeable bitter, astringent flavor. Second, when you pour wine into a decanter, the resulting agitation causes the wine to mix with oxygen, enabling it to develop and come to life at an accelerated pace. This is particularly important for younger wines. By decanting you get the best flavor from your wine, whether it is vintage or new.