Decanting
Also known as: decant
In short
Decanting means pouring carefully so the sediment stays in the bottle: the content arrives clear in the carafe and breathes on the way. We explain the difference to straining and what air does for young and old wines.
In depth
What does decanting mean?
Decanting means pouring wine or spirit slowly into a carafe until just before the sediment. Whatever has settled stays in the bottle, and whatever is allowed into the glass comes clear and with a small shot of air.
The difference to straining
With straining, as in our entry of the same name, a sieve separates, with decanting the tilt does: no tool, just a steady arm and an eye on the neck of the bottle. "Straining separates with the sieve, decanting separates with the tilt."
What decanting brings
Two effects in one: the sediment stays behind, and the wine breathes on its way into the carafe. Young wines open up, old wines give up their deposit. Noble old spirits may be decanted as well when the bottle has rested for a long time.
Remember this one
"Straining separates with the sieve, decanting separates with the tilt."
At our lounge
Ask what air and tilt can do: clarity is something you can taste.