What’s the Difference between an Aerator and a Decanter?

By December 25, 2018

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We usually use aerator and decanter for a better taste of wine. As we all know, both aerator and decanter are dedicated to mingle air with wine and thereby lead to a reduction in tannins. But what is the difference between an aerator and a decanter?

What are decanter and aerator?

Firstly we need to know what are aerator and decanter.

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Decanters are tall, wide, glass pitchers that are used to serve wine. The meaning of decanting lies in exposing the wine in the air and let it breathe freely. When decanting, we usually use a decanter and a candle. Open your precious wine and pour it into the decanter, during which a lighted candle should be set around the bottle. Then keep the decanter upright for 24 hours. After that you will easily find some sediment at the bottom of the bottle. Decanting is a good way to remove the sediment in aged wine. When you transfer the wine in the decanter into another vessel, the sediment can be easily separated. The wine in decanter can be either served for drink or poured into the original bottle.

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Aerator, on the other hand, is much like a funnel. In this situation, a glass cup is often set beneath the aerator. You just need to pour the wine into the aerator; the liquid will naturally drop into the glass at a slow speed. The common purpose of decanting and aerating is to mingle the air with wine, releasing the fragrance and bouquet. The major difference between them is time. An aerator works by allowing wine to pass through a device filled with flowing air. Yet a decanter works by pouring the wine into the decanter directly. Thus, decanting is less time-consuming.

Decanters are efficient and convenient for removing sediments; aerators also have its unique cons in more exposure to the air. But actually they are not completely isolated; you are able to enjoy both their advantages by this product— Ecooe Glass Wine Decanter with Built-in Aerator. It is designed with a unique lid, which makes this decanter aerate and decant wine at the same time. There is also a filter inside the lid that catches sediment in the wine, so you can enjoy a pure and smooth taste without pouring the wines out carefully.

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Don’t you need to know

 Not all wines need to be infused with air so as to be better enjoyed. We usually choose red wines to be decanted or aerated, that is because red wines, especially young red wines, have a higher tannin profile and will benefit greatly from air-infusing. Aged red wines can also benefit from it. Because aged wines are usually accompanied with sediments and decanting can perfectly separate them from the wine. As for red wines older than 10 years, we should reduce the decanting time significantly, less than 15 minutes. Or else, the aged wine may be ruined. Beside, most white wines are not suitable for that, but there are also exceptions such as White Bordeaux and Alsace. For them, 30 minutes of decanting are good.

It is not suggested to aerate wine overnight or in your refrigerator. That is because too much exposure to air can cause your wine to go vinegar-like and the refrigerator will evaporate the open wine.

To be concluded, the main difference between an aerator and a decanter is time. An aerator consumes more time than a decanter does.

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