Yahoo Lifestyle The 9 Best Wine Decanters, According to the Experts
- 1/10
The 9 Best Wine Decanters, According to the Experts
"What is a wine decanter?" That was my first question, when I realized I’d be speaking with top-tier sommeliers and beverage directors about their favorite versions of the item. At first glance, decanters look like gorgeous, fragile, glass statuettes, or maybe even really peculiar bongs. The spouts, the curves, and the sizes can also definitely confuse a person as to which end to pour in or out of—or what even belongs in there. Does a normal, house red need a decanter? What about the wine that just arrived in your monthly subscription? Doesn’t this process just needlessly draw out enjoying the wine (which you may have just ordered in a hurry, from an app) that you’d sooner drink straight from the bottle?
I had all of these doubts and more while I plunged headfirst into understanding just what it means to decant. Luckily for you (and me!), I consulted a handful experts—each at the top of their games in the beverage and hospitality industry—who have individually sipped and tasted more wine on their own than the collective audience of this article has seen in their lifetime. Below, find their most highly recommended decanters, along with some pro tips about how to best enjoy your vino.
Riedel - 2/10
1) Wine Friendly Decanter
Riedel
Riedel
According to our experts, almost anything can be a vessel to decant in. And if you're looking to start your journey, this Riedel option is the perfect entry level purchase. "Me and my sister both personally have the Riedel decanters," says Robin McBride, co-owner of the McBride Sisters wine company (alongside her sister, Andréa), the largest Black-owned wine company in the US. "One, because they’re beautiful, and two, because they work really well. This is the one I really like."
RIEDEL - 3/10
2) Sullivan Wine Carafe
crate and barrel
Crate and Barrel
This two-opening decanter is affordable, stylish, and a great way to let a new bottle of wine breathe. "It’s best to get a fat bottomed decanter," says Amy Racine, beverage director of Iris in NYC. (Iris is a former Best New Restaurant at Esquire, and in 2021, we awarded Racine our Beverage Director of the Year award.) "This is a great entry level one. It’s basically a goose neck. It looks U-shaped, so there’s a hole on both ends, and the oxygen can go in and skim the surface of the wine and you can pour it out of the other side."
Crate and Barrel - 4/10
3) Glass Porrón Wine Pitcher
Tienda
Tienda
This decanter is a bit different from the others on this list, because you pour the wine right into your mouth! "It’s a super fun one," says Victoria James, beverage director at the Michelin-starred Cote in NYC and Miami. "It comes from Basque Country in Spain. It’s a must for any good party. The essential decanter you didn’t know you needed for Txakoli."
Tienda - 5/10
4) Decanter
Made In
Made In
This sleek Made In decanter is easy to use and clean, making it perfect for at-home use. Host a beautiful dinner party, and then pop this decanter in the dishwasher when you're done. "The decanters from Made In are really great," said Arjav Ezekiel, owner of Birdie’s in Austin and one of Esquire’s wine gurus of the year in 2022. "I like really simple and angular designs, and I like something I can wash in a dishwasher. Hand washing decanters is really difficult and not practical. These are all dishwasher safe."
Made In - 6/10
5) Brilliant Decanter
Josephinen
Josephinen
"You think about wine, how it’s been trapped in this little bottle for so long. It needs to breathe. It’s a living thing," says James. So when you're not looking to funnel directly into your mouth, as she aided you with above, she highly recommends this one designed by Kurt Josef Zalto.
Aaron Thompson, co-owner of the bar Brother Wolf and restaurant Osteria Stella, agrees. "It’s absolutely gorgeous," Thompson says. "One of the things I like about this one is that it has an inward slope on the bottom so that you can actually swirl the decanter like a glass of wine and aerate it even more. "
Josephinenhütte - 7/10
6) Elegance Accent Decanter
Waterford
Waterford
An elevated option for your next dinner party, this decanter makes for a dazzling centerpiece, and its smart design can improve your oldest bottle of wine. "The Waterford Elegance is a crystal hand blown decanter," says Racine. "Its openings fold over itself. It really opens up the flavor and aromas of your wine."
Waterford - 8/10
7) Swan Decanter
Riedel
Riedel
Another aesthetically pleasing option, Riedel's Swan decanter is not only stunning to look at, but unbeatable at filtering out residue. "This is the one I have at home," says Thompson. "It was designed after the curve of the swan. This decanter is killer for separating sediment for vintage wines, but also great for aeration in younger ones. This is a showstopper when you pour for your friends or guests, and a great Christmas present."
RIEDEL - 9/10
8) Boa Decanter
Riedel
Riedel
This Riedel decanter comes from a line of glassware that's designed to resemble snakes. Creative, gorgeous, and really effective for opening up any bottle you'd like to serve. "The Riedel collection has some really elaborate ones and they turn it into an art almost," says McBride. "When you’re decanting, presumably it’s a special wine, and you’re probably sharing it with people, so it’s nice to have a beautiful decanter on your table. It can be a conversation piece as well as functional."
Riedel - 10/10
9) Patrician Wine Decanter
J. & L. Lobmeyr
J. & L. Lobmeyr
This one of a kind decanter is a delicate investment piece. The glass is hand blown and designed by Austrian glassware maker, J. & L. Lobmeyr and evokes a classic old world elegance. "This decanter is a special high end option," says James. "Have fun with it! This decanter models lots of gorgeous vintage decanters."
J. & L. Lobmeyr
