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Decanting wine, including library wines from V. Sattui Winery, can enhance the overall tasting experience by allowing the wine to breathe, helping to release its aromas and flavors. However, not all wines require decanting, and the decision to decant depends on various factors.
To decant or not to decant? That is the question — and we’re here to help you determine the best decision for your bottle of wine. If you’re wondering whether or not it’s time to pull out the decanter, allow our top-of-the-line wine professionals guide you..
Our Ultimate Guide to Decanting Wine: Everything You Need to Know
Wine decanting doesn’t have to be complicated. To properly understand how to decant wine, as well as when wine decanting is necessary, keep reading for our easy guide.
Why Do You Decant Wine?
Before we discuss the process of decanting wines, it’s important to understand the purpose of taking the time to decant a wine. Is there actually a striking difference between choosing to use a decanter or skipping it, or is it just an extra step that high-end wine lovers add?
The fact of the matter is, in many cases, using a wine decanter can make all the difference in enhancing your wine drinking experience. There are two reasons why it might be important to decant your wine before pouring a glass.
For an older wine, decanting is often necessary to separate any sediment that may have accumulated over the years. Red wine specifically tends to accumulate sediment with age, and a glass of an older wine that has been poured without first being decanted can often have a gritty texture and bitter flavors.
It won’t hurt you to drink older red wines without decanting them, but why not take the time to ensure you have the best wine drinking experience, from what is likely a valuable cellared bottle, from the very first taste?
While young wines will not have this same issue of sediment, they often need to be decanted for a different reason – to properly aerate them and allow the aromas to “bloom” and flavors to “integrate” which delivers a more full, vibrant tasting experience.
Think of it as letting the wine breathe in a bit of extra life and blow off some of the “hot”, alcohol aromas.. Trust us – a little aeration can often make all the difference.
How to Decant Wine
First things first: let’s dive into the decanting process. If your wine does, in fact, require decanting, you want to feel confident that you know exactly how it’s done.
- First, allow the bottle to sit upright for roughly 24 hours before you plan to drink it. By keeping the bottle upright, you will allow most sediment to gather at the bottom of the bottle, which is key to a smooth decanting process.
- In the meantime, make sure that you have a decanter on hand. In a pinch, a clear glass vase or pitcher will do.
- Remove the cork from the bottles you plan to serve.
- Set a small light (from your phone or even a candle, for a more romantic experience) on the table underneath where you plan to pour so that you can see clearly.
- Pour the wine into the decanter slowly, without pause. Continue slowly pouring, growing slower and slower the more that you pour.
- Immediately stop pouring when the sediment begins to reach the bottle’s neck. It may be difficult to see the sediment – any cloudiness or sign of specks is probably a sign that you’ve reached the sediment.
- Discard the very end of the bottle of wine containing the sediment.
- Serve your wine!
If a wine has an excessive amount of sediment, you might consider a double decant. Double decanting also works well for wines that are particularly tight or closed up.
Decanting a bottle of young wine that does not have sediment, such as your favorite white wines, is an even simpler process. Simply open the bottle of wine and pour it into your decanter, allowing it to sit. This will introduce oxygen to the wine, allowing it to properly open up and come to life. This is a much quicker process than a sediment-filled wine – it does not need to sit for a full 24 hours. Depending on the wine, you can allow it to rest anywhere from twenty minutes to a few hours. It’s really up to you!
Should You Decant Your Wine?
You know how to decant wine – but when is it necessary to do so? Here are a few factors to consider when contemplating decanting your next bottle of wine.
Age of the Wine
Library wines are typically older and have had time to develop complex flavors and aromas. If the wine is still young and tannic, decanting can help soften its texture and open up its aromas. If the wine is already mature, decanting might help separate any accumulated sediment that has formed over time so that you don’t impart bitter flavors.
Style of Wine
Napa Valley is known for producing both robust, bold red wines (like Cabernet
Sauvignon) and elegant, nuanced wines. Robust wines can benefit from decanting to soften
tannins and allow the flavors to develop. However, more delicate wines, such as many white wines, might not need extensive decanting, as they could lose their subtle nuances.
Sediment
Older wines, especially library wines, can develop sediment over time. Decanting helps separate the wine from sediment, preventing it from ending up in the glass and affecting the wine’s texture and flavor. Trust us – your taste buds will thank you.
Aeration
Decanting introduces oxygen to the wine, which can help volatile compounds
evaporate and release aromas. This can be particularly beneficial for young, tightly wound wines that need some time to open up.
Personal Preference
Ultimately, the decision to decant library wines also depends on personal preference. Some wine enthusiasts enjoy experiencing the wine’s evolution over time as it’s exposed to air, while others prefer to experience the wine’s initial aromas and flavors without much aeration. The topic can generate extensive debate, but at the end of the day, there is no truly right or wrong answer to the question of whether you need to decant wines. Wine is meant to be enjoyed, so do what will make you the happiest.
When Should You Decant Your Wine?
For young, full-bodied reds, like our 2019 Morisoli or Vangone Cabernets, decant about one to two hours before serving to soften the tannins and allow the wine to breathe. For older vintage wines, such as our 2009 Preston Vineyard Cabernet, that are throwing some sediment: Carefully decant the wine of the sediment right before serving. If you’re unsure: It’s often a good idea to taste a small amount before decanting the entire bottle. If the wine seems closed off or tight, decanting can help.
When Should You Avoid Decanting Your Wine?
There are certain wines that do not need to be decanted. Here are a few examples of wines that can simply be poured – no decanting required.
Delicate, Mature Wines
Some older wines, such as a mature wine like 1997 Tom C. Davies Reserve Cabernet
Sauvignon have delicate aromas that could dissipate quickly with too much aeration. In such
cases, consider a gentle, short decanting of no more than half an hour — or not at all.
Sparkling Wines or White Wine
These younger wines are generally not decanted as they are meant to be
enjoyed with their youthful and vibrant characteristics.
Remember that there’s no hard and fast general rule, and the best approach can vary based on the specific wine, vintage, and personal preferences. Not everyone is going to feel the same way about decanting wine, and that’s okay!
Visit us at the winery or phone/email in — we would be happy to provide you with valuable insights on when and how to decant our library wines for optimal enjoyment.