Decanting Wine 101

Want to make your wine taste $20 better? Try decanting it. Decanting your wine separates any sediment that may have formed while simultaneously aerating the wine, which enhances the aromas and flavors of the wine. Knowing why, when, and how to decant wine can really upgrade that bottle on your table.

HOW TO DECANT
Decanting is a simple and easy process. Just pour wine into a large open glass container or decanter and let sit for the desired amount of time. Just pulling out the cork and letting it sit open will not actually do anything, it needs to have a large opening in which wine and oxygen have the freedom to mingle. Avoid using any plastic containers as they will alter the flavor of the wine.

Riedel Red Wine Decanter

We recommend the Riedel Wine Decanter ($59.99) - made of 24% lead crystal, this exquisite decanter has an elegant base that ensures maximum aeration of your wines and an open spout for drip-free pouring. The minimalist design of the decanter puts the focus on your fine wines.

True Fabrications Decanter with Handle

Houdini Wine Carafe

Another great option is the True Fabrications Wine Decanter with Handle ($29.99) for a classic style with a handle for easy no-drip pouring. Or for a more casual look and feel, go with the Houdini Wine Carafe ($19.99).

How long should I decant my wine for?
Decanting times range from about 30 minutes to more than 3 hours depending on the variety and age of the wine. A general rule of thumb is to add 1 hour of decanting for every 10 years that the wine has been aged. Most red wines can benefit from decanting, not just the expensive ones. Here are some guidelines based on different wine varietals, but since every wine is different, be sure to check your wine periodically for "doneness." Make sure that you are allowing your wine to sit at room temperature, not in a cold or sunny spot.

Red Wines
Zinfandel: 30 minutes
Pinot Noir: 30 minutes (e.g. red Bourgogne)
Malbec: 1 hour
Grenache/Garnacha Blend: 1 hour (e.g. Côtes du Rhône, Priorat, GSM)
Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot: 2 hours (e.g. Bordeaux)
Petite Sirah: 2 hours
Tempranillo: 2 hours (e.g. Rioja, Ribera del Deuro)
Sangiovese: 2 hours (e.g. Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti)
Vintage Port & Madeira: 2 hours
Mourvèdre/Monastrell 2-3 hours (e.g. Bandol)
Dão and Douro Reds: 2-3 hours
Syrah/Shiraz: 2-3 hours
Nebbiolo 3+ hours (e.g. Barolo, Barbaresco)

White Wines
Most white wines don't need to be decanted, in fact, if the wine is highly aromatic decanting may actually hurt the wine. Occasionally however, white wines taste funky (think steamed mushrooms) and decanting will fix this! This flavor is common in full-bodied white wines from cooler climates like a white Bourgogne (e.g. Chardonnay). Decant for about 30 minutes.

ALL ABOUT AERATORS
Aerators do an excellent job of decanting wine in just minutes by forcing air to be circulated through the wine. As you pour, the wine "breathes" as bubbles are sent through it, thus creating a wine with more expansive aromas and/or softer tannins. An aerator can be great for casual meals, where time may be of the essence. We offer several options for aerators that can be purchased in store or online.

Vinturi Aerator

We recommend the Vinturi Wine Aerator ($39.99), which aerates your red wine in seconds. The Host Tilt Mini Aerator ($12.99) is also a great inexpensive option and it is small enough to fit in your pocket!

Host Tilt Mini Aerator

CLEANING DECANTERS
Getting in all the nooks and crannies to thoroughly clean your decanter can be tricky. It's recommended to not use dish soap to clean the inside of decanters as it can be too difficult to remove all of the detergent, which can adversely affect the aromas and flavors of the wine. Winefolly.com recommends washing the outside with hot water first and then rinsing the inside with cold water, which helps to keep the glass from getting foggy on the inside. We use this nifty Glass Cleaning Brush ($7.99) to easily clean our decanter and our wine glasses too. Plus they're scratch free cleaners so you don't have to worry about ruining your glassware.

Glass Cleaning Brush

For more information on decanting wine, check out winefolly.com!

Newly Launched Cheese Happy Hour!

We're super excited to announce the start of our free Cheese Happy Hour starting Wednesday, February 11th. Join us every Wednesday from 4-7pm to taste 3 different gourmet cheeses at the Market counter. Each week, the featured cheeses will also be on sale and will be paired with jams, chutneys, meats, and crackers from The Market. Wine and beer pairing suggestions will also be given!

Join us every week as we dish out three new cheeses for you to taste and love!

Craft Beer Happenings

      New from Sierra Nevada is Hoppy Lager, which was a favorite from their Beer Camp collection that was available last summer.  The Hoppy Lager replaces Ruthless Rye as this years spring seasonal.  This was Sierra Nevada's collaboration with Ballast Point Brewing Company and as expected doesn't disappoint.  Clean, crisp, refreshing and hoppy all in one make this beer hard to put down.  It has that good malt flavor found in any well-made Lager style beer, but it also has that trademark Sierra Nevada hop flavor that has made them one of the most respected craft brewers in America.  Since they have opened a new brewery in North Carolina that also means fresher beer for us here on the East Coast!  Right now we have 6 packs for $8.99 and 12 packs for $17.99. So get your hands on this seasonal while it lasts.  Also...stay tuned for some exciting Sierra Nevada news that will bring something really cool to the shelves in February.