How to Decant Wine: A Complete Guide to Wine Decanting

Decanting is a practice that has been around for centuries, often associated with the world of wine but also with liquors like whiskey and cognac. 

In this guide, we break down decanting into simple terms. 

Find out which wines need to be decanted, how to decant wine and how long to do it for.

When you’re finished you’ll know as much about decanting wine as a sommelier.

What is Decanting?

Decanting is the process of pouring wine from its original bottle into a separate container, called a decanter, to allow the wine to breathe and develop its flavors. 

This process serves two main purposes: 

But what is this sediment? And why does some wine like to be aerated? Let's find out.

Why Decant Wine?

Let's dig a bit deeper into the reasons for decanting wine.

Reason #1: Separating Sediment

Over time, especially in the case of older wines, sediment can form at the bottom of the bottle. 

This sediment is harmless but it can negatively affect the texture and taste of the wine if not separated. 

It consists of insoluble bits of grape skin and pulp, as well as dead yeast cells.

Decanting allows you to pour the clear wine into a new container, leaving the sediment behind in the original bottle.

Decanting wine to separate sediment can take a bit of skill and patience as the quality of the job is all down to your steadiness of hand. We'll find out how down below.

Reason #2: Aeration

Aerating the wine exposes it to oxygen, which can help soften tannins, round out flavors, and enhance the aromas. 

This process is particularly beneficial for young, full-bodied red wines, as it allows their complex flavors and characteristics to develop more quickly than they would through simple bottle aging.

But be aware that aeration isn’t always beneficial to a wine and I’ll cover these instances in the next section.

Which Wines Benefit from Decanting?

Exposing a wine to oxygen is not always a good thing so it's important to know the situations when decanting is necessary and when it should be avoided.

Wines to Decant

Wines Not to Decant

How to Decant Wine

How Long Do You Decant Wine For?

The ideal decanting time can vary depending on the specific wine, its age, and its structure.

Here are some general guidelines for decanting different types of wines:

Medium-Bodied Reds

Examples include Merlot, Grenache, and Sangiovese. These wines typically benefit from around 30 minutes to 1 hour of decanting. This allows enough time for the wine to aerate and develop its flavors without losing its fruitiness or freshness.

Full-Bodied Reds

Examples include Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Malbec, and Bordeaux blends. These wines often have more tannins and can benefit from a longer decanting time, ranging from 1 to 3 hours.

Decanting allows the tannins to soften and the complex flavors to develop, resulting in a smoother, more enjoyable wine.

Older Red Wines

Aged red wines, especially those with more than 10 years of age, can be more delicate and require a shorter decanting time, typically around 30 minutes to 1 hour.

The main purpose of decanting older wines is to separate the wine from any sediment that may have formed during aging, rather than to aerate the wine.

Light-Bodied Reds and Whites

Light-bodied red wines, like Pinot Noir and Beaujolais, as well as most white wines, typically don't require decanting.

However, if you feel the wine could benefit from aeration, a brief 15 to 30-minute decant can help open up the flavors and aromas.

Bold, Oaky White Wines

Some full-bodied white wines, such as oaked Chardonnay, can benefit from decanting, especially if they're young.

Decant these wines for 30 minutes to 1 hour to allow the flavors to integrate and the oak influence to mellow.

Orange Wines

Orange wine is essentially white wine made with extended skin contact during fermentation and it can benefit from decanting in certain cases. 

Decanting an orange wine can help to open up its complex flavors and aromas, as well as soften any tannins or astringency that may be present due to the skin contact.

However, not all orange wines need decanting. Lighter, more delicate orange wines might not require decanting, while more robust and structured examples could benefit from some aeration.

If you choose to decant an orange wine, a general guideline would be to decant it for about 30 minutes to 1 hour.

As with any other type of wine, it's a good idea to taste the wine periodically as it decants to determine when it has reached its optimal expression.

Remember that these are just general guidelines, and the optimal decanting time can vary for each specific wine.

It's always a good idea to taste the wine periodically as it decants to determine when it has reached its peak.

Tips for Decanting Wine

Decanting wine is an essential technique for wine enthusiasts, allowing you to fully appreciate and enjoy your wine to its fullest potential.

By understanding why, when, and how to decant, you'll be able to enhance your wine experience and impress your friends and family with your knowledge and skill.

So, the next time you open a bottle, consider decanting and savor the difference it can make.

Any questions? Leave a comment down below and I'll get back to you promptly!