How to Buy a Wine Decanter

Wine decanters are a great way to bring out a richer taste to your wine without having to age it. To find the right decanter, choose one that complements your wine preferences in shape and function. Your ideal decanter will also be stylish but mess-free when pouring wine or cleaning it after usage. A decanter that reflects your personal style can make a useful, elegant addition to your dinner table.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Selecting a Shape

1
Choose a wide neck decanter for ideal aeration. Exposing the wine to air before serving is one of the primary purposes of a decanter. A wide neck decanter will give your wine more exposure and bring out more flavors within your wine. Because you'll be able to taste more, wide neck decanters are great for making young wines taste complex.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Wide neck decanters are also better for cheap wines, as aeration will make the wine taste richer.
- Generally, wide neck decanters are easier to clean.
2
Buy a thin neck decanter to separate the sediment out of the wine. Because a narrow neck lets less air in, thin neck decanters are not as good at aerating wine. They are, however, much better at sifting out sediment. For expensive, aged wines, thin neck decanters offer a cleaner flavor.^{[2]XResearch source}
- Thin necked decanters often come with a special brush for cleaning.
Decanters in odd shapes can make it challenging to pour without dripping. You don't want to stain any counters or waste expensive wine. Decanters with mouths wider than their neck will make for mess-free pouring.^{[3]XResearch source}
4
Select a decanter with a broad middle to speed up aeration. Decanters with wide middles give the wines room to aerate before serving. After a wine has been stored in a bottle for several years, it takes time to aerate. In decanters with a narrow surface area, the wine will take much longer to react with air and bring out its flavors.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Decanters with the most surface area in the middle will need around an hour to achieve its ideal aroma and taste.
- To speed up the decanting process, swirl the wine around so it receives more air.^{[5]XResearch source}
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Choosing for Function

Most decanters are meant to hold one glass at a time, but larger options are available. The largest decanter available is made for a bottle of wine. Any bigger, and you're reducing the surface area of wine exposed to air (and thus its effectiveness).^{[6]XResearch source}
2
Buy a decanter made of crystal for durability. Unless you're buying an antique decanter, these will be your options. Crystal decanters are durable and decorative, allowing for more intricate designs. For a stylish decanter that will last years or even decades, crystal is your best option.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Do not buy crystal decanters made before 1969, as these are usually made of lead crystal. Lead crystal can leach out into your drink and cause poisoning.^{[8]XResearch source}
3
Pick a standard glass decanter for a budget-friendly option. Standard glass decanters are usually cheaper than their crystal counterparts, and they are also more dishwasher safe. Because crystal is porous, it must be hand-washed while glass is nonporous. Glass decanters require less maintenance over time.^{[9]XResearch source}
- Glass is also more heat-resistant than crystal.
4
Choose a wine decanter with a stopper. After sitting in a decanter from 18-24 hours, your wine will lose its flavor without a stopper. If you don't plan on drinking your wine directly after serving, use a stopper to preserve its flavor and aroma (especially if you're serving an aged wine). Not all decanters come with a stopper, so keep this in mind while shopping.
- Remove the stopper around an hour before serving so your wine has time to aerate.
- Wine will last between 3-5 days with a stopper, on average. Sparkling wine will not last as long, and light or fortified wine will last longer.^{[10]XResearch source}
5
Choose a decanter especially made for certain wines. If you have a preference for red or white wines, you could buy a decanter specially made for your favorite kind. White wine decanters keep the drink at a cooler temperature, and red wine decanters usually have thinner necks for separating sediment.
- You can also choose decanters made for only one type of wine, like merlot, chardonnay, or pinot noir decanters.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Picking a Design

1
Choose between function and fashion for your decanter. Some high-end decanters are made to be aesthetically-pleasing. You may prefer an expensive crystal decanter that doubles as a stunning work of art to woo your guests. Simpler styles, however, can compliment wines with rich colors (like deep red wine).
- Artsy-looking decanters are harder to clean and not usually dishwasher-safe.
- Don't buy a decanter that will break your bank. High-end decanters usually work as well as more affordable options. The raise in price is mostly artistic appeal.
2
Find a clear wine decanter, and avoid frosted or colored glass. Frosted decanters or stained glass designs can look beautiful but will ruin the purpose of your decanter. If you're unable to look inside the decanter, you won't be able to tell if the sediment has separated in your wine.
- Hand-blown glass decanters are a great alternative for frosted glass, if you want an artisan look and clear glass.
While some use wine decanters only for special occasions, others use theirs on a daily or weekly basis. Choose a decanter that will be comfortable to handle and you won't feel nervous you'll break. Fancy designs can be fun, but you don't want to pick a decanter you could easily drop.
4
Buy a design that will be easy to clean. If you can't rinse your decanter out well enough, the taste will be ruined by older wine residue or soap. When shopping for decanters, decide whether the design will be difficult to clean. Avoid decanters that will involve intensive cleaning if you do not have the patience.^{[11]XResearch source}
- Check whether your decanter is dishwasher-safe before buying.
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Expert Q&A

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Question
Why do we aerate wine?
Samuel Bogue
Certified Sommelier
Samuel Bogue is a sommelier based in San Francisco, California. He is the Wine Director of the renouned Ne Timeas Restaurant Group and a wine consultant for other top restaurants in the San Francisco Bay area. He gained his Sommelier certification in 2013, and since then has been recognized as a Zagat "30 Under 30" award winner and a Star Chefs Rising Star.
Samuel Bogue
Certified Sommelier
Expert Answer
For the most part, we buy a lot of wine that's pretty young. Since the wine hasn't seen much exposure to oxygen, it hasn't fully matured and opened. When you aerate it, the flavor and aroma of the wine will become ever so slightly smoother and more rounded. The decanter allows you to expose the wine to more oxygen just by pouring it. The larger mouth at the top allows more oxygen into the wine.
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Where would I be able to buy a decanter?
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You can get one at Macy's, Target, or Amazon.
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Tips

Wine decanters made of thick glass or crystal are more durable than thinner models.
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White wines are best served chilled, so choose a glass decanter (which are heat-resistant).
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Odors and dust can affect the wine's flavor, so clean your decanter often.
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