Australians are drinking 500,000L* of wine a year, but are they getting the best out of their bottle?
Asquith, NSW: Wilkie Brothers, premium glassware and tableware provider has introduced a new range of decanters to its popular glassware range to help wine lovers get more out of their wines.
Decanting your wine isn’t just about making it easier to serve or to look beautiful on the table, its primary purpose is to enhance the flavours through aeration and to separate any sediment from the liquid.
When you pour wine from a bottle into a decanter you are exposing all the liquid and aerating it. Aeration, also known as allowing the wine to breathe, amplifies its aromatics, harmonises its acids and tannins and smooths the texture much quicker than if it is served from the bottle.
Decanting, particularly with older wines that could have a buildup of sediment, allows you to separate the sediment from the liquid and leave it in the bottle, so you can serve the wine from the decanter with confidence.
“All wines: red, white, young or old benefit from being decanted,” explained Paul Diamond, Wine Educator and Publisher of Australia’s largest wine Magazine, Selector.
“I would suggest that in the home environment you decant everything and allow all your wine to open up and show its full fruit potential,” said Mr Diamond.
“Interestingly, there was a time, when in restaurants that having wine bottles on the tables wasn’t seen as a good thing, so decanters were especially important. You’d see, and still do, the server would present the wine and then decant it and let it sit for 10 minutes until bringing it back to the table to serve.”
Available in three different styles, the Argyle Decanter, the Kinross Decanter and the Lennox Decanter. These handmade glass decanters are designed to enhance the flavours and aromas of wine by allowing it to breathe and separate any sediment that may have formed.
“With red wines you need to decant your wine and let it sit, let it air. There’s a school of thought that the older the wine, the less time you need to let it sit. But some people like to let really old wine sit all day before tasting,” said Mr Diamond.
“For white wines, if it’s a special bottle of aged white, you should take it out of the fridge, decant it and let it sit for 10 minutes to let it open up. White wines also open up as the wine moves from the fridge temperature to room temperature.”
The Argyle Decanter is a versatile standard decanter, suitable for a broad range of wines. This decanter features a wide base to let your wine pool out for a greater surface area for aeration and a tapered neck for easy pouring.
“This shape of this decanter is an everyday decanter,” said Mr Diamond.
“It’s especially great for white wines because it can be used on ice or put in the fridge.”
The Kinross Decanter features a wide base that tapers to a narrow opening which not only looks striking but allows for maximum surface area for greater aeration and exposure to oxygen, helping to soften tannins and bring out complex flavors. It also features a thumb hole for a smooth and steady pour.
“This decanter shape is a classic all-rounder, it’s a wonderful centerpiece for any dinner party,” said Mr Diamond.
“It’s much better suited for red wines but can be used for white wines. It’s a really sturdy, durable, hard-to-knock-over decanter!”
The Lennox Decanter, in its elegant U-shape, has been designed to be used for wines with age, with the design allowing for aeration, gentle pouring and minimal disturbance of sediment.
“This decanter shape is used more for wines with age, something that’s been in bottle for a long time and would benefit from that extra aeration,” said Mr Diamond.
“You can see with this shape; you’ve got a really nice spread of area across the base and two oxygen entry points which will move the air along the surface area of the wine really nicely.”
“This is really the decanter for a dinner party or for that special bottle: special occasions and special bottles.”
Made from high-quality clear glass, each decanter has the capacity for one bottle of wine with additional space for the wine to breath.
“This new range of Wilkie Brothers decanters, with modern design and stylish shapes, is perfect for entertaining,” said Grace McCue, Wilkie Brothers Brand Manager, Sheldon and Hammond.
“Each decanter can hold one bottle of wine and has a smooth and effortless pour.”
Prices and Availability
The Wilkie Brothers range of decanters is available to purchase at https://wilkiebrothers.com.au/glassware/categories/decanters/ .
Lennox Decanter – 1500ml $69.95 | Kinross Decanter – 1200ml $59.95 | Argyle Decanter – 1200ml $49.95 |
*Source: https://8wines.com/blog/wine-consumption-in-australia
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About Wilkie Brothers
Blending Scottish heritage with contemporary style, Wilkie Brothers has options in flatware, dinnerware, and table decoration. Wilkie Brothers has grown from a small cutlery collection to now include tableware, glassware and serving ware.