Bakeware

While it certainly isn’t an original concept, the plain truth is that if you want to decant wine, the best wine decanter in the world is a bucket. At least, the best decanter is any open-air container that provides maximum oxygenation to the wine. Plastic isn’t all that great for wine nor is the wine good for the plastic. It will stain, so I’m not going to recommend that you get a plastic bucket. But if you have a glass bucket, well now that’s another issue.

Decanting wine is necessary only on specific occasions. It can add to the aesthetics of wine, particularly if you have a pretty crystal decanter. However, the purpose of decanting is to add oxygen to the wine. This is necessary in very young wines and very old wines. It’s occasionally useful for wines that need to “breathe” some; that is, the wine needs to open up. It’s often described as tight or wound up. Contrary to popular belief, opening a bottle and letting it sit for a bit won’t do anything. A bottle opening is far too narrow and small to allow for real oxygenation to take place. Therefore, impress your friends by not opening a bottle before you pour. Decanting is all about surface area. Containers should allow the liquid to spread out, find its own level, as liquid does, and “breathe”.

Since the science of decanting is fairly simple and basic then, the very best decanter is the one that you like best. It goes with your décor, your wine glasses, or your table. You like the way it feels in your hand or it adds to the collection of other fine glass or crystal - wear you own. A lot of the best decanters, though, are leaded crystal and that’s not necessarily a good thing, especially if you leave the wine in the container for more than a few hours. The wine can and will pick up some of that lead and you may well ingest it. That’s not a good thing. Avoid leaded crystal, and then choose based on your personal tastes.