The Art of Decanting Wine: When and How to Do It Right

Decanting may look ceremonial, but it meaningfully enhances the way wine tastes and smells. Decanting wine refers to gently transferring wine from its bottle to another receptacle. While it is suitable for separating wine and its unwanted sediment, decanting is also about letting wine breathe. The idea is that a wine's tannins/elements will soften, and aromatic characteristics will dissipate in the air and become more pronounced. 

Here at Woodland Hills Wine Company (WHWC), the knowledge of decanting helps all wine collectors and drinkers embrace their enjoyment of wine.

In this blog, we’ll explore what decanting really means, why it matters, when to do it, and how it can transform your wine experience.

What Does Decanting Wine Mean?

Decanting is a simple process. Pouring wine from the original vessel into another container is decanting. The process follows two steps: removing the sediment and aerating the wine, basically allowing the wine to breathe. 

When we pour the wine without sediment into the decanter, the wine can be exposed to the air, opening the wine’s full bouquet, texture, and color. In the end, decanting turns an ordinary glass into a more refined, memorable experience.

Why Decant Wine? The Science and Benefits

Taking time to decant wine is more than a tradition. It is rooted in science and taste, decoding practical benefits and sensory rewards.

Wine Aeration & Breathing

Oxygen is an integrated part of bringing wine to life and has a huge role in the overall flavor of a wine. As the wine is exposed to oxygen, the tannins soften, the aromas open up, and the flavors release. For instance, if we pour the Syrah or Malbec right out of the bottle, we find the wine is somewhat tight or shut off, and by decanting, oxygen softens the wine and allows its full personality to emerge. The same idea works for maturing and aged wines; oxygen offers a different effect but allows the subtle complexities to be evident, not masked.

Sediment Removal

As a wine is aged, particularly reds like Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Vintage Port, sediment can sometimes develop in the bottle. Sediment is a harmless, gritty layer found at the base of the wine bottle that is unpleasant to drink. Decanting in this situation allows us to drink and pour our wine nicely while leaving the sediment behind. It also allows us to preserve the elegant nature of the tasting experience, to ensure the clarity and balance of the wine in the glass. We respect the wine and maximize our experience by employing this easy-to-execute step.

When Should You Decant Wine?

Not every bottle is meant to be decanted, but a wider range can undoubtedly be improved upon through decanting. Here is a simple guide:

• Young, full-bodied reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Malbec tend to taste even better after an hour or two in the decanter. The extra time softens tannins and lets oxygen unlock brighter fruit, acidity, and aroma.
• Mature reds like Bordeaux, Barolo, or Vintage Port may only need to be decanted for sediment. These wines are certainly more delicate; therefore, a gentler approach to decanting is best to maintain the delicate aromas and ensure a sediment-free pour. 
• Perhaps counterintuitive, one could argue the same rationale for some whites and natural wines; particularly for fuller-bodied whites or natural wines that you love, a very short exposure to air can help open up all that delicious minerality and subtle floral tones. 

Our general rule is when in doubt, taste first. If closed, watch its breathing development by its aromas and texture over time. Wine can amaze your palate in relation to patience alone!

How to Decant Wine Step-by-Step

Keep the bottle upright: If the wine is aged, allow a few hours for the sediment to settle.

• Be careful when opening: cut the foil cleanly and pull the cork carefully
• Pour into the decanter slowly: pour slowly so you have a steady stream
• Stop pouring once the sediment appears: Watch the neck of the bottle, and this will allow for an easy stopping point
• Let the wine breathe. Depending on the style, allow between 20 minutes and 2 hours for breathing time

Using wine decanters properly is easy, and this method allows the wine to show its best character.

Choosing the Right Wine Decanter

The shape and style of a decanter give it a purpose:

• Wide-bottom decanters with the widest openings are best for younger wines, for maximum air exposure. The rapid oxygen distribution from the broad opening allows you to actively develop the bold flavor characteristics that will lift with a bit of aeration.
• Narrowing the neck of the decanter involves reducing the air exposure, which is best for older wine, where the goal is to keep air to a minimum. Allowing the air to the aromas helps, but it also keeps the sediment in the bottle.
• Crystal is more elegant, and glass is practical and easier to manipulate. Crystal comes with some collectors who prefer the sparkle of crystals versus glass, while everyday wine drinkers often prefer glass for its practicality and easy cleanup.

Cleaning tip: Warm water only and soap when you have to. A soft-bristled brush or some decanter cleaning beads make stubborn stains disappear. 

How Long Should You Let Wine Breathe?

There is no definite answer, as it will vary by the wine:

• Young, big reds: 1-2 hours.
• Mature reds: 20-40 minutes.
• Full-bodied whites: 15-20 minutes if decanted.

You will know when it is ready because you will feel it is lifted in aroma and has a smoother mouthfeel.

WHWC Somm Picks: Wines That Shine with Decanting

Here are several of the wines that we have in our collection that benefit from decanting: 

2019 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

This wine is bold and structured. Decanting opens up the spectrum of this wine, making the tannins less stringent and bringing out the blackcurrant characteristics. With patience, a bit of cedar and spice will emerge, too. This is a great wine to pair with grilled meats. Shop here 

Barolo DOCG 

Decanting will reveal a pop of cherry, tar, and rose, followed by complex layers of truffle and earthiness that reveal themselves after some good time in a decanter. It will offer patience to those who are patient! You can explore examples of Barolo here. 

Syrah from the Rhône Valley 

Decanting will open this wine into smoky, peppery flavors. Once exposed to the air, it expands its dark fruit core and becomes more decadent and more velvety, expanding into rich, velvety layers that reveal new depth with every sip. 

Bordeaux Blend 

Decanting puts the wine into a much deeper flavor, softening, smoothing, and mellowing it over time. While decanting it, it will continue to open and yield elegant notes of tobacco and cassis. Check out more Bordeaux selections here. 

Vintage Port

When decanting vintage port, an unusual outcome would be trapped with sediment, so decanting properly and accurately will enable a port to pour more fully and richly without sediment. When aerating a vintage port, the sweet notes of fig, raisin, and chocolate become much more present. 

These selections also highlight that a particular bottle and technique can elevate a good experience to an extraordinary experience. 

FAQs About Decanting Wine

• What wines should always be decanted?

Wines with visible sediments and young, bold reds with tight tannins should always be decanted.

• How long should wine breathe after decanting?

It depends on the style of the wine. But, usually it takes 20 minutes to 2 hours.

• Can you decant white wine?

Yes, white wines like Chardonnay sometimes benefit from short decanting.

• Do cheap wines benefit from decanting?

Yes. Even affordable wines can taste fresher and more expressive after decanting.

• What’s the difference between decanting and aerating?

Decanting means removing sediments, whereas aerating stands for the rapid exposure to oxygen. 

Elevating the Experience

Decanting is a practical and unique ritual that improves the enjoyment of wine. Whether we are talking about sediment removal or allowing a wine to breathe, there is a benefit from decanting: more effortless pouring, richer aromas, and improved flavors. At WHWC, we encourage you to explore wines that benefit from decanting and experience how the process transforms aroma, flavor, and texture from the first pour onward.

Browse WHWC’s cellar-worthy selections and experience the difference decanting makes.