CELLAR TIP......................Has there ever been a time while enjoying a bottle of wine, you get down to the last glass, and upon savoring the last few sips declare that, wow, this wine is amazing? My saying has always been that you should be saying those exact words from the initial sip of your first glass. How is this possible you ask? Simply by letting your wine open up, breathe, aerate. This month, lets take a look at the process called aerating and decanting.

When you hear wine experts use the words "closed" and "tight", it refers to wine being concentrated, its flavors and aromas muted. By the process of adding air, or oxygen, with the use of a decanter, the wine will slowly "open up", releasing its maximum flavor potential. Think of wine the same as you would a flower. When you first bring it home and put it into a vase, the bud is tightly closed. Yet with a little time, its petals begin to slowly open, exposing its full beauty for you to enjoy.

Many people are under the impression that by simply removing the cork from a bottle of wine, letting it sit for an extended period of time, they are letting the wine breathe. In reality, the small amount of wine in the neck of the bottle that is coming into contact with oxygen is so minimal, the volume of wine down below is receiving no benefit at all. That is why a decanter or carafe is such a beneficial tool in helping your wine reach its tasting zenith.

The shape of a decanter says it all. Slim at the top and bulbous at the bottom, this allows for the maximum amount of a wines surface to come in contact with the same amount of air. For most wines, an hour or two or aerating is sufficient. For many finely crafted expensive models which are usually more tannic in structure, 3 to 4 hours and even more is not uncommon. There are many wines that I personally bring up from my cellar in the morning that I put into a decanter before I leave for work so that I may be able to enjoy its full exposed treasures by the time I get home for dinner. In rare instances, its not unheard of for a wine to finally open up a day or even two after opening.

Another tool to use to help in your decantering process is a wine funnel. It helps trap any sediment that may have accumulated in an older vintage bottle and also some unfiltered younger wines. You put the funnel in the top of the decanter, and while pouring your wine, the tiny holes at its bottom release the wine evenly across the sides of your decanter, getting the air process started.
Nothing is more glorious to witness than ruby red juice shimmering down the sides of a decanter.

I often wondered why anyone would invest in a high ticket wine in most restaurants to have with their dinner. Certainly the wine will be enjoyable, but over a course of a few hours during the meal, the wine hasn't had its chance of displaying to you its full range of flavors. A waste of money? Wouldn't a lesser expensive wine that wouldn't require as much time to open up be more cost effective? Perhaps. Some places I have visited with so called expert wine service looked at me as if I were some sort of alien when I inquired about a decanter. I have come up with a solution to this dilemma.

First of all, see if your favorite restaurant has their wine menu online. That way, you can peruse the selection beforehand and know what you may want to purchase before you get to their establishment. You may be able to call ahead, order your wine, pay for it in advance if necessary, and have them decant and aerate your purchase hours prior to your arrival. That way, you are able to fully enjoy an exquisite meal along with a wine that fully compliments itself and your food.

Another solution to a potential problem is what do you do when you are invited to a guests house for dinner and you are bringing a wine that may need decanting. You may not be able to rely on your host to fulfill your decanting requirements. Solution: properly aerate your bottle at home before going to your dinner party and simply refunnel the wine back into its original container. Being able to present a fully opened wine will bring joy to all who share your prized treasure.

For those of you who have yet to invest in a decanter and still want to reap the same benefits of aeration, there is a simple solution. Any clean vessel may be used in this process, or simply pour your wine into the glasses you are going to serve table side a few hours ahead of time. The wine will open up in the glass just as if it had been in a decanter.

Lastly, decanters come in many different shapes, forms, and price points. Beautifully crafted crystal models cost upwards of $100 to $400. Other models that cost far less and do the exact same function can be purchased for between $20 and $50. Here at Champane's Wine Cellars, our shelves have been restocked with the newest styles in decanters and wine funnels. One model even comes fully equipped with a decanter and funnel all in one. The best news is, the price. Each finely crafted glass wear can be purchased for under $50. Be sure to visit our newly expanded accessory aisle where we have the latest openers, glasses, decanters, decanter cleaning wands, wine pumps, books, wine labels, and a large assortment of helpful items to help make your next wine experience a pleasure in the making.