Decanting wine is like giving your favourite bottle a special treatment. Just like how swirling your glass can wake up a red wine's yummy smells, decanting an entire bottle before serving can take your wine to the next level. Sure, decanting helps to separate sediment, but the real magic happens when the wine gets some air. By pouring the wine into a beautiful decanter, you allow it to breathe and open up, revealing its full flavours and aromas. It's like giving your wine a chance to stretch its legs and show off its best self. Plus, it's a fun and elegant way to impress your guests and enhance your overall wine-drinking experience. So go ahead, grab your favourite bottle, and let's decant it!
Step 1: Get Ready
Find a decanter or large jug - don't worry, you don't need fancy equipment to get started! Also, make sure to stand your bottle upright for a day before serving to allow sediment to settle at the bottom.
Step 2: Pour Steadily
Half an hour before you plan to serve your wine, start pouring the wine into the decanter. It's best to pour steadily until you get to about halfway through the bottle. If you hold the bottle up to a light source, you can easily see any sediment and keep an eye on the amount of wine left.
Step 3: Slow It Down
Once the bottle is half empty, pour even slower than before. This ensures that the sediment doesn't accidentally rush into the decanter and ruin all your careful work! Stop pouring as soon as you see sediment reach the neck of the bottle.
Step 4: Let It Rest
Allow the wine to rest in the decanter for about 30 minutes. This gives the wine time to breathe and develop richer flavours and aromas.
Step 5: Time to Serve
Once your 30 minutes are up, it's time to serve your delicious wine! Pour slowly and carefully into your wine glass, keeping an eye out for any sediment that may have sneaked in.
Step 6: Savour the Moment
Take a moment to appreciate the beautiful colour and rich aroma before taking a sip. Notice how the flavours are more pronounced than when you first opened the bottle - decanting your wine was definitely worth the effort!
