If you are a wine lover, you might have heard of decanting and aerating. These two techniques are used to improve the fragrance and flavor of the wine. But when it comes to choosing one, people always get confused. Therefore, it is necessary to gain extensive knowledge regarding the same. We have curated this article to provide the information you need before selecting a particular one.
Decanting and aerating are entirely different from each other. But only a few people understand this thing. In the decanting process, a tool known as a decanter is most significant. It is a container that helps remove any sediment from the wine to make it taste much better. If you keep a wine bottle long, sediment might affect the taste. That is why you need to do decanting to achieve a perfect taste.
On the other hand, aerating involves the use of air. You must pour the wine into a glass and swirl it to expose it to the air. The more aerated wine becomes, the better taste you will get. As a convenient method, many consider aerating a suitable technique to enhance the taste. But you can choose any method according to your needs.
Let’s understand more about these methods to find a perfect option.
Decanting Vs. Aerating
What is decanting?
Decanting is the process of improving the taste of wine by eliminating sediment. Decanter is a crucial tool used in this procedure. It is in the form of a container. You can transfer the wine to the same, and it will do the work.
When the sediment present in wine is removed, the taste, favor, and aroma get better. The primary reason behind the occurrence of sediment is time. With time, wine can transform in many ways. It might taste a little bit bitter because of the sediment. That is why you should consider decanting in this situation.
What is aerating?
Aerating is another popular method used for enhancing the taste and fragrance of wine. You don’t need any tool to complete this procedure. You can take some wine in a glass and swirl it for a few seconds. After that, the aroma and taste will entirely change because it is exposed to air. In short, everything will become a bit better.
Many people use the aerating method while drinking wine. It is more convenient and straightforward than the decanting process. Even beginners can learn how to swirl and sip the drink.
Which method is better and why?
Some people think decanting is better, while others believe aerating is better. Well, you can choose any method according to the situation. For instance, if a wine is a bit old, decanting will be good. Aerating an old wine might take some more time and effort. So, you have to look at the situation before making a choice.
We have also prepared a list of pros and cons to determine the perfect method.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Decanting And Aerating?
If you want to pick the right option, you must know the pros and cons of each method.
Pros and cons of decanting
Pros:
1. Straightforward procedure: The best part about decanting is that it is a straightforward process. You can quickly learn how to use a decanter for purifying purposes. It helps remove the sediment in the wine and makes it taste good.
It doesn’t matter if you haven’t tried decanting yet. You can still perform way much better than me.
2. Improve the taste and aroma significantly: One of the most crucial things about decanting is that it improves the taste and aroma significantly. You can see the difference only after tasting the new version.
3. Smooth blend: Everybody loves smooth wine. Well, decanting can also help you achieve the same.
4. Eliminate sediment: It doesn’t matter how much sediment is in the drink. The decanting process is effective enough to provide you with sediment-free wine.
Cons:
1. Time-consuming: Decanting procedure is a bit time-consuming. The amount of sediment in the wine can increase the time. So, you can only do this process if you can wait longer.
2. Complications: Decanting comes up with various complications. As it needs to be poured into the decanter, many people often spill it up. The only way to eradicate this issue is by being careful throughout.
3. Unnecessary technique: In most cases, it is considered unnecessary. What if there is no sediment in the drink? Doing this procedure will be a total waste.
Pros and cons of aerating
Pros:
1. Quick and straightforward: The best part about aerating is that you can get the results in a few seconds or minutes. Swirling the wine in a glass is more straightforward and quick. Also, you will get the best outcome from doing this.
2. Enhance the quality of the wine: Aerating helps the wine improve by working on the taste. That is how you can get the perfect wine within a few minutes.
3. Zero mess: As you know that the decanting process is messy, but you don’t have to worry about it in aerating. There is no requirement of using tools and shifting the drink.
Cons:
1. Not suitable for every type: One thing that many people don’t know about aerating is that it doesn’t work with old wine. You need to consider decanting to remove sediment from the drink. Otherwise, the process will fail for sure.
2. Expensive method: This procedure is a little bit on the expensive side. Because aerators are usually costlier, so, make your decision after considering this thing.
3. Excessive aerating is harmful: If you keep aerating your drink, it might get destroyed. In other words, you won’t experience the same aroma and taste once it is overexposed to the air.
4. No difference: People sometimes face no difference in the before and after results. It can happen to you as well. That is why you need to be more careful when choosing an option.
The Bottom Line
We hope now you can choose which method is better for you- decanting or aerating. You must always look at the issue before deciding on the technique. This way, you can get effective results.
