All about decanting wine
Decanting wine means slowly pouring the wine from its bottle into a different container, without disturbing the sediment at the bottom.
It is a process for separating a clear liquid from its precipitate, e.g., by pouring wine or precipitating must.
Why we decant wine
Decanting has the primary task of separating the precipitate in order to prevent solid particles from entering the mouth. It is important to emphasize that wine lees are not a negative phenomenon – they are salts of tartaric acid that are formed because the wine in the bottle is not a dead liquid, it still “works”.
Modernly produced wines are mostly filtered, so the sediment is less and less, so we come to another reason for decanting.
And that is – to give the wine to breathe. Often wines that stay in the bottle longer “close” and need contact with the air, oxidation, in order for the wine to “open” or show all its aromas in full light.
Which wines are decanted?
Red and white mature wine – for sediment removal.
Immature red wine with an abundance of tannins – decantation reduces the sharp taste of pronounced phenolic compounds of plant origin. Without it, “young” red wine will not fully show its unique aroma and taste.
Immature white wine-white varieties are decanted to allow the wine to aerate.
Red wine, which has aged for a long time – older expensive wines, is decanted by sommeliers. Professional decanting is necessary to retain aromas.
"Wine is a thing, miraculously meant for people, to be applied to good and bad health in the right amounts."
–Hippocrates
How to decant wine
Decanting is a traditional element of formal wine serving and can be said to have an aesthetic character as well.
The wine in the crystal decanter looks really lustful.
Follow the procedure:
- If your bottle of wine is stored horizontally, take it out of storage and place it upright all day before decanting. This allows the precipitate to settle to the bottom of the bottle.
- Open your new bottle of wine with a corkscrew.
- Tilt the neck of the bottle towards the decanter.
- Hold the bottom of the bottle at a 45-degree angle to keep the wine from gushing (and disturbing the lees).
After decanting, the wine is stirred and aerated in a circular motion of the decanter.
Pouring can be done up to four hours before you anticipate drinking wine.
Decanting and types of wine
Red wines
Decanting light red wines is done 20-30 minutes before consumption. Our wines from that group are: Alter Ego, Blatina quality and Merlot quality
Decanting of medium body red wines is done 30-60 minutes before consumption. Our wines from this group are: Blatina premium, Merlot premium and Cabernet Sauvignon
Decanting of full body red wines is done +60 min before consumption. Our wines from this group are: Trnjak, Syrah, Merlot premium, Cabarnet Franc and Blatina Barrique.
White wines
Decanting light-bodied white wines is done 5-10 minutes before consumption. Our wines from that group are: Žilavka quality
Decanting of medium body red wines is done 10-15 minutes before consumption. Our wines from that group are: Žilavka Vrhunska and Pošip
Decanting of full body red wines is done 15-20 minutes before consumption. Our wines from this group are: Žilavka selection and Chardonnay
Decanter care
There are no special rules for maintaining the decanter, they are quite simple:
1.Wipe the decanter with a towel or towel only on the outside.
2. Wash by hand.
3. Do not use aggressive household chemicals, rinse with running water after applying the solutions.
4. It is better to dry vertically.
5. Store in a cupboard separate from dishes.
Separate decanters according to the type of wine – for young and old drinks. Vessels with a wide base and a funnel-shaped neck are suitable for the first type. Sometimes spiral versions are used.
Advice! Don’t buy ceramic decanters or wood products – these materials absorb odors, so they are not suitable for pouring.
Now that you know more about decanting, consider buying your favorite bottle of Nuić Vineyards and enjoy decanting and a good glass … You can make a purchase through our web shop.
Cheers,
Nuić Vineyards
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