12/6/06 Decanting for Show

Welcome to Vine to Wine this is your host Linda Moran. This is the time of year that many of you are opening wines you deem extra special. These are wines, around which you want to create anticipation or excitement. Today we will talk about decanting a wine for practicality as well as for show. When we are saving a special wine for a special occasion, we often want to present it in a way that defines it or sets it apart from other wines served at the same event. To do this I recommend decanting the wine. You see to me decanting isn't just about the practicality of making a red wine more approachable to drink it is also about honoring the occasion we elected to pour it. It is about letting those you are sharing it with know that you hold them in high regard and you want to share something special. Certainly follow the same rules of thumb as you would any other time you are decanting a wine. Decanting simply means to pour the wine from the bottle into a clean carafe. Maybe you own a fancy decanter and use it often. Maybe you have a crystal decanter that is a family heirloom and you rarely use it. Either way put it to use for your special wines. With a red wine, you want to separate the wine from the sediment that is in the bottom of the bottle. Do so by slowly pouring the red wine down the inside edge of the decanter. Just when you observe the dregs about to spill into the decanter - stop pouring. You only want to drink the good part. In the case of white wine, pour it into your pretty vessel just before you serve it. Remember to send your wine questions to Linda at vine to wine dot net and thank you for joining me on today's Vine to Wine.