Considering A Decanter As A Gift For Your Friend? 6 Things You Should Note
An enthusiast would tell you that decanters aren’t exactly fancy jugs you store your prized drink in. They are used to aerate your bottle so that the different notes register on your discerning palate. When you pour out the wine from its bottle into the decanter, it reacts with the oxygen in the air and releases compounds that in turn amplify the taste of the spirit.
Well, armed with this knowledge, you have scoured hundreds of magazines and articles to finally zero-in on the perfect gift item for the spirits connoisseur friend: a decanter.
Once you have made your choice, here are a few things you should keep in mind before shelling out your hard-earned (not bit) coins.
Choices And Preferences
Since the idea is to select a gift, it is non-negotiable to understand what kind of spirits are preferred by the person the gift is for. Whisky does not require to be aerated as much as wine, so if you are going for a whisky decanter, you may choose to be more liberal with your design and material.
You can pretty much rely on aesthetic appeal in such a case. But for wine decanters, functionality will take precedence.
The Right Design
Since the primary function of a decanter is to let the alcohol interact with the air, considering the design of it is crucial. Opt for the ones that have a wider base, so that there is enough room for the air to keep oxygenating your red wine.
You also need to check thoroughly if the spout is at an angle and is able to pour the drink with ease, without spilling and dripping.
Bigger Isn’t Necessarily Better
Decanters come in different capacities and it is essential to select the one that can only store one bottle of alcohol at a time.
The smaller size is easier to handle and pour from for one person, as opposed to decanters that can store up to a few litres of wine in it.
Decanter is not just a decorative item on your centre table, so the size and weight should be such that it can be manoeuvred around with ease.
The Battle of the Molten Sand
Similarly, you need not invest in a crystal decanter. With intricate designs carved into it, crystal decanters are far heavier than ones made out of glass, making them notoriously difficult to handle as well.
You can also choose to go for a borosilicate glass decanter, because this specific kind of glass is resistant to both breakage and heat.
Stoppers Them If You Can
It sounds contradictory, but you do not want to keep your decanters uncovered for hours on end. Once the drink is poured out, the decanter needs to be sealed shut with a good-quality stopper to prevent further oxygenation.
While glass stoppers typically don’t come with a corrugated airtight lid, they serve up on aesthetics. However, it is ideal to opt for a cork stopper, since it keeps the bottle sealed, and does not react with the alcohol and alter the taste of the wine.
Check Your Budget
Decanters come in a variety of price ranges, so selecting one that suits your budget is crucial.
Decanters with complex designs and better material will have a higher price range than if you are looking for simple, stripped down designs. Recognise your spending capacity and decide accordingly.
