Before you read: When you buy through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend things I'd be happy to use in my own kitchen.

Which one should you buy?

A simple, wide-bottomed glass decanter does everything most of us need: it lets young reds open up and it leaves the sediment of old bottles behind. Here's what I'd point you to:

Pick	Why	Price
My pick Le Chateau Large Crystal Decanter with Aerator	A big, elegant decanter with a wide base for plenty of air, and an aerator top that adds a little air as you pour.	About $60 (October 2026) See it on Amazon
Step up Riedel Merlot Decanter	A classic, beautifully made decanter from one of the great glassmakers. Simple shape, easy to pour.	Varies Check the price
On a budget Nuance Wine Finer aerator	No decanter at all. It sits in the neck of the bottle and adds air as you pour. Quick and cheap, but it won't deal with sediment.	About $30 Check the price

A decanter is one of those things people think is a bit posh. It isn't. It's a jug for wine, and it does two genuinely useful jobs. Besides, a decanter of red on the table at Sunday dinner looks wonderful, and that's reason enough on its own.

You don't need one for every bottle. Most whites, light reds and everyday wines are perfectly happy poured straight from the bottle. But for a big, young red or a special old bottle, it makes a real difference.

Why decant wine?

There are two good reasons, and they're quite different.

To let a young red breathe. Young, bold reds can taste tight, harsh and a bit closed when you first open them. Air softens them. Pouring the wine into a wide decanter gives it a big surface to meet the air, and after a while the fruit opens up and the rough edges smooth out. Pour some straight from the bottle into one glass and some from the decanter into another, and you'll taste the difference for yourself.

To leave sediment behind. Older reds often throw a sediment, a fine, gritty deposit that settles in the bottle. It's harmless, but it's unpleasant in your mouth. Pouring slowly and carefully into a decanter lets you leave it behind in the bottle.

No decanter? You can still give a young red some air. Pour it back and forth between two clean jugs about 15 times. It's not elegant, but it works a treat.

Le Chateau Decanter at a glance

What	Detail
Type	Large wine decanter with a wide base
Material	Crystal glass (the listing doesn't say whether it's lead-free)
Extras	Built-in aerator top
Best for	Young, full-bodied reds
Care	Rinse with warm water; no soap residue

This is my pick for its size and shape. Because the listing doesn't say lead-free, use it for serving, and pour any wine you don't finish back into the bottle rather than leaving it in the decanter overnight.

What to look for in a decanter

A wide base. More surface means more air, which is what softens a young red.
A neck you can pour from. It should pour cleanly without dribbling down the side.
Clear, plain glass. You want to see the wine, and spot any sediment.
An opening you can clean. Very fancy shapes look lovely and are a nightmare to wash.
Lead-free glass if you can find it, especially if you'll leave wine in it for a while.

The Le Chateau has the wide base and a good pouring neck. The aerator top is a nice extra, but the decanter itself does most of the work.

Who it suits, and who should skip it

Good for you if

You enjoy young, bold reds like Cabernet or Syrah
You sometimes open an older bottle with sediment
You like a handsome centrepiece on the dinner table

Skip it if

You mostly drink whites, rosé or light reds
You'd rather save your money: two jugs and a bit of pouring do the same job for a young red

How to get the best from it

Young reds: give them time

For most young reds, 30 minutes to an hour in a decanter is plenty. Taste as you go. When it tastes softer and more open, it's ready.

Old reds: be gentle

Stand the bottle upright the day before, so the sediment slides to the bottom. Open it carefully and pour slowly, in one steady stream, with a light or a candle behind the neck of the bottle. The moment you see the sediment creeping into the neck, stop. With an old bottle you only want a short time in the decanter before drinking.

About the aerator

The aerator top spreads the wine as it pours in, which adds a little air. For an old bottle with sediment you want to see exactly what's coming out, so take your time, and if the top comes off, pour without it.

In a hurry?

If sediment sneaks through, pour the wine through a fine tea strainer into the decanter. Nobody will know.

How to clean a decanter

Rinse straight away with warm water after use, before any wine dries inside.
For stains, swirl in a little coarse salt with some water, then rinse well.
Skip the soap or use the tiniest drop. Soap residue clings to glass and changes the taste of the next wine.
Dry it upside down on a rack or in a decanter stand, so no water sits in the bottom.
Hand-wash only. A decanter is too big and too precious for the dishwasher.

The one rule

Rinse it the moment it's empty. Red wine is far easier to clean before it dries.

Questions people ask

Does decanting wine really make a difference?

For young, tannic reds, yes. The air softens them and brings out the fruit. For most whites and light reds, it makes little difference.

How long should red wine breathe?

For most young reds, 30 minutes to an hour in a decanter. Taste it as you go and pour when it tastes right to you.

Decanter or aerator?

An aerator is a quick fix for a young red. A decanter also lets you leave the sediment behind in an old bottle.

Should I decant white wine?

Rarely. Most whites are best poured straight from the bottle, nicely chilled. A rich, full-bodied white can open up a little, but it's not essential.

How do I get red wine stains out of a decanter?

Swirl in a little coarse salt and some warm water, then rinse well. Let it dry upside down.

Pour it with

A slow Sunday dinner, like my Chicken Bolognese.

Updated October 2026. Prices change often, so check before you buy.