What Is a Decanter?
A stylish home bar addition.
Decanters are often essential in home bars or bar carts. While they make for a stylish way to display your favorite wine or liquor, they can enhance the flavor of the liquid, ultimately enhancing your home bar experience. If you’ve been asking yourself, “What is a decanter?” and wondering what the different types of decanters are, read on to learn more about the benefits of using a decanter.
What Is a Decanter?
Types of Decanters
Decanter Materials
Decanter Features
What Is a Decanter?
A decanter is a vessel that is used to hold and serve wine and liquor. Typically, decanters are made of glass, but are available in various materials, shapes, and sizes. Decanters are stylish (and functional) additions to home bars and bar carts. Decanting wine or liquor consists of pouring the liquid from the original bottle into the decanter. From there, you can use the decanter to serve into individual glasses.
Tip!
Check out Decanter vs. Carafe: What's the Difference? To learn more about how decanters differ in design and purpose.
Types of Decanters
Decanters can be grouped into two categories: those meant for holding wine, and those meant for holding whiskey and other liquors. Both are designed to help drinks expel more flavor and aroma so that when you pour them into glasses it produces an enjoyable drinking experience. Explore your options, below.
Wine Decanters
They are designed to enhance the experience of drinking your favorite wines. Wine decanters come in a variety of sizes and designs. Most wine decanters will be open with no stopper included, allowing the wine to breathe. Letting the wine breathe will help elevate the flavor by letting it interact with oxygen, which releases aromas and flavors that were dormant when bottled. Wine decanters are often larger, allowing for enough room to let air in.
Decanters aren’t just for wine – they can be used for liquor too. Decanting whiskey, gin, and tequila helps bring out the flavor of the liquor and acts as a stylish accent on your home bar. Unlike with wine, it’s essential to make sure this decanter has an airtight seal to help your liquor last just as long as it would in the initial bottle. If the decanter has a loose stopper, the alcohol inside can slowly evaporate. Most whiskey decanters have etchings that give them a classic and sophisticated look, making them a decorative addition to any bar.
When it comes to choosing a decanter it's important to consider the material as well. The material you go with can influence both the aesthetics of the drink display as well as the quality/preservation of the drink itself. Glass decanters have thicker walls and classic shapes that add charm to any at-home bar space. They are also dishwasher-safe to make cleaning up a breeze. Other popular decanter materials include crystal or ceramic models to add decorative flair to any space while also enhancing the flavor of your drink.
Decanters can have one or more features that aid their display aesthetic and that make them more flexible so you can host in style. Review these must-have decanter features to determine which ones you can't live without.
Dishwasher-Safe: Make cleanup a breeze and skip handwashing all together. Opt for a decanter that is dishwasher-safe so you can clean up quickly and efficiently.
Spill-Proof: Keep from spilling your wine (or whiskey) by opting for a decanter with a sturdy seal. The airtight seal will give you peace of mind if it gets knocked over or turned sideways during transport.
Lid/Stopper: If you are decanting liquor or wanting to keep your wine fresh, opt for a decanter with a lid or stopper. It keeps your liquid from being over-exposed to air and is ideal if you don’t often drink a bottle of wine in one sitting.
Glasses Included: If you are looking for matching glasses with your decanter, opt for a decanter with glasses included. This completes the set and the look of your bar cart or home bar. This option also can make for the perfect holiday gift for someone who loves making cocktails at home.
Start browsing for your new at-home bar essential.
