A question we get asked often is, “Do I need to decant my wine?” It can be difficult to know whether wine should be decanted in order to get the best out of it, although many people have a general belief that red wine in particular should be decanted. But did you know that on the whole, all wine will benefit from being decanted? Red, white and yes, even fizz too!

Read on to find out when and why you should decant your wine:

What is the reason for decanting wine?

Although there are several reasons for decanting your wine, the main reason is to separate the wine from any sediment that may have formed in the bottle. This usually applies to red wines, which are aged in the bottle, and especially those that are unfiltered. The sediment itself is harmless, but it can make the wine taste a little bitter.

The second reason for decanting your wine is to help it to ‘breathe’. Corks will help oxygen enter into the bottle over a long period of time, helping the wine to develop. Once decanted the oxygen will further bring out all the aromas and flavours the winemaker intended you to smell and taste.

So the general rule is that anything with a cork is a good indication it should be decanted for the best results. Cheers!

Red wine being decanted into a glass decanter

 

Do I need to decant screw top bottles of wine?

Did you know that mass produced wines with a screwcap are intended to be drunk young and already taste exactly how the winemaker wants you to experience it?

Which is why, when we’re asked, “Do I need to decant my screwcap wine?”, we will tell you that no, you do not…meaning that that £9.99 Chilean Merlot you bought can be opened, poured and enjoyed as soon as you get home!

How long should I decant wine for?

Red wine can take between 20 minutes and 2 hours to be at its best after decanting. As a general rule, light bodied wine, such as a Pinot Noir or a Zinfandel, will take a short amount of time to decant, where as more full bodied wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon or Petit Sirah will benefit from a couple of hours in the decanter before being enjoyed.

Although white, rosé and sparkling wines don’t necessarily need to be decanted, if they have a strange aroma on opening, you can decant them for 15 – 30 minutes and their fruity nose should reappear.

How should I decant my wine?

As a very simple overview, this is how you should go about decanting a bottle of wine:

  1. Stand the bottle upright for at least 24 hours before decanting. This will allow any sediment to settle at the bottom of the bottle.
  2. Very slowly, and with a steady hand, pour the bottle into the decanter. Whilst doing so, keep an eye on the clarity of the wine as it enters the neck of the decanter. With older wines, you will likely see some sediment appear as you pour, and if this occurs, stop pouring immediately to keep it in the bottle. You may wish to use a funnel to trap any sediment from getting into the decanter, too.
  3. As you approach the halfway mark of the bottle, pour even more slowly to ensure that no sediment enters the decanter.
  4. Let the wine stand for the recommended amount of time for the type of wine you are decanting. You may wish to experiment with different decanting times to see what your preference is.
  5. Enjoy!

Want some advice for your next wine purchase? Pop into Shenfield Wine Company to experience our expertise!

Of course, when you purchase a bottle of wine from Shenfield Wine Company, we can advise on how best to enjoy them. This means that we’ll tell you if you need to decant a red wine for a certain amount of time before serving it, or whether you can enjoy a younger wine straight from the bottle. This friendly expertise is all part of the Shenfield Wine Company experience.

Pop in store today and experience the Shenfield Wine Company expertise and advice for yourself!