Decanter

Decanters have a long history associated with them. Similar to a Carafe, Decanters have played an important role in serving wine. Dating back to the Roman times, Decanters were filled with wine from an Amphora, which is a vase like ceramic jug with two handles and served from the table. The decanters were easier to handle by one person or servant. Glass decanters were pioneered by the Romans but due to limited amounts of glass, other materials like silver, gold and bronze were used. The Venetian also used glass decanters during the Renaissance period. The design style of decanters allowed for more air to interact with the wine. They usually have long slender necks and wide bodies. In 1730 the British glass makers added a stopper to limit the exposure to air. The designs haven’t changed much since then. We now use decanters not only for the looks but also to help the aerate. When you aerate a wine and allow it to breathe it mimics the effects of swirling the wine in a glass. The stimulation and movement of the molecules in wine trigger the release of more aromas. Aerating is more beneficial to wines containing more tannins.