Accessories

Decanters

Decanting means separating the sediment and giving the wine some air. Done well, it's also a little ritual to enjoy.

Photo: Nadin Sh / Pexels

Quick pick · Good · Better · Pro

Decanters

Good Proven quality

To start decanting with a serious brand

Schott Zwiesel

Schott Zwiesel Pure decanter (0.75 l)

Knock-resistant Tritan crystal
Matches the Pure glasses
Just the right size for one bottle

Check the current price on Amazon.

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Pros and cons

Pros

Knock-resistant Tritan crystal
Matches the Pure glasses
Just the right size for one bottle

Cons

Not as light as a hand-blown decanter

Better My recommendation

Hand-blown, light and precise

Zalto

Zalto Denk'Art Axium decanter (1.45 l)

Hand-blown, very light
Pours precisely without dripping
A beautiful piece on the table

approx. 95-140 €Approximate price; check the current price on Amazon.

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Pros and cons

Pros

Hand-blown, very light
Pours precisely without dripping
A beautiful piece on the table

Cons

Delicate: clean with care
Few sellers on Amazon

Pro The very best

The ceremonial piece

Original painting of Josephine decantador Brillante de Josephinenhütte

Josephinenhütte (diseño de Kurt Josef Zalto)

Josephine Brillante decanter by Josephinenhütte

Mouth-blown, very fine
Matches the Josephine glasses

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Pros and cons

Pros

Mouth-blown, very fine
Matches the Josephine glasses

Cons

High price
Delicate

Photo: oussama laabidate / Unsplash

Crystal decanters of different shapes with red wine on a white cloth — Decanter shapes: wide-based, swan-neck, round and slender · Original painting · inspired by Willem Claesz. Heda

Photo: Christian Jonsson / archivo propio

How to choose

Decanting has two different aims. With old wines, separating the sediment: stand the bottle upright for a day, pour slowly with a light behind the neck and stop when the sediment appears. Serve straight away, because a mature wine is fragile. With young, powerful reds, aerating: between 30 minutes and 2 hours in the decanter opens up the aromas and softens the tannin.

How to choose a decanter

Wide base to aerate young reds; narrow body for old wines that need protecting from the air.
Weight and glass: hand-blown ones are lighter and pour precisely, but need care.
Cleaning: hot water and cleaning beads; avoid scented soap.

If in doubt, start with a simple one with a medium base and try the same wine decanted and not decanted with friends: it’s the best tasting lesson there is.

Photo: cottonbro studio / Pexels

More options

Alternatives I also recommend, on top of the three above.

Riedel

Riedel Black Tie Occhio Nero decanter

Clear crystal with a black eye: black-and-white elegance for the most special dinner.

Pros

Elegant and understated
Easier to handle than the sculptural pieces

Cons

High price for an everyday decanter

approx. 190 €Approximate price; check the current price on Amazon.

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Vista Alegre

Vista Alegre Bicos matt black decanter

Portuguese design in matt black glass: the decanter nobody forgets.

Pros

Unique look, for a designer table
Portuguese house with tradition

Cons

The opaque glass hides the sediment
Few units available

approx. 170 €Approximate price; check the current price on Amazon.

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Riedel

Riedel Ultra decanter (1.2 l)

A wide-based crystal decanter for big reds and wines with sediment. Full control over aeration time and a beautiful piece on the table.

Pros

Separates sediment and aerates at your pace
High-quality fine crystal
Wide base: lots of surface in contact with air

Cons

Awkward to clean without a brush or cleaning beads
Delicate

approx. 110-180 €Approximate price; check the current price on Amazon.

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Original painting of WMF Clever & More jarra decantadora

WMF

WMF Clever & More decanter

A hand-blown glass decanter with a bulbous base that increases the wine's contact with air and a slim neck that holds the aroma. Simple German design for everyday use.

Pros