“It’s beautiful if you have the space,” he says. It will absolutely impress your guests.” Gabriel Maldonado, beverage director and general manager at the Wesley, admits that the Amadeo is “pricey” but thinks it’s totally worth it. Although this decanter looks like a “work of art,” Austad says “pouring from it is easy. It can be a standout in an entertaining space, and it elevates any experience,” says Durling. “The Riedel Amadeo is certainly a splurge, but it is a collector’s piece that beautifully aerates wine. It’s an investment, but the Ultra’s sturdy base, proven durability, and industry praise make it worth it for frequent wine drinkers.ĭesign: Modern | Material: Crystal glass | Cleaning method: Dishwasher safeĬreated as a tribute to Riedel’s 250th anniversary and handmade by artisans, this decanter got the stamp of approval from more experts than any other high-end piece. Although it’s meant to be seen and admired, it’s not overly elaborate, and it doesn’t take up as much space as some of the other fancy decanters I spotted on the market.

At nearly 200 bucks, this handmade decanter is more practical for wine enthusiasts who’ll keep it in heavy rotation versus occasional drinkers. “This is the classic shape I think of when I think of decanting,” he says. As she puts it: “It’s so pretty it can serve as a centerpiece.” Trevor Durling, head winemaker and general manager of Beaulieu Vineyard, considers it the gold standard. The iconic design also won praise from Sarita Cheaves, wine-media producer and co-host of the Swirl Suite podcast. There is nothing over-the-top about it,” says Taylor Bianco, winemaker at Marimar Estate Winery. I like this decanter because of its classic, elegant look. “Riedel is a name that I trust for its glass quality and ease of use. This sophisticated decanter was deemed the best by our experts. Whether you’re looking for an affordable everyday option or a fancy piece to add to your barware collection, there is something here to upgrade your at-home wine game.ĭesign: Classic | Material: Crystal glass | Cleaning method: Hand wash only To spare you the pain of scrolling through a gazillion options, 11 wine pros agreed to share their favorite decanters and aerators.

“The best universal tool for aerating all types of wines is a decanter, but for bold, young wines that need a ton of oxygen, an aerator or a decanter will do the job,” says Trevor Durling, head winemaker and general manager of Beaulieu Vineyard. While the speediness is appealing, most of the experts included in this story recommended a traditional oxidation method.

It does the same things as a decanter in a faster, more forceful way. It usually takes 30 to 40 minutes to decant, but wines that are over ten years old typically need to sit for over an hour.Īnother way to make sure your wine is properly oxygenated is to use an aerator, which pushes air into a wine bottle while you pour. Decanting helps wake up the wine, making it smell better, and therefore making it taste better,” explains Elyse Lovenworth, lead sommelier at Sommsation. They serve two main functions: “Decanters expose younger wines to oxygen and separate older wines from sediment that has formed in the bottle over time. When you let the wine breathe - by mixing it with air - you are facilitating this process,” says Nicolás Andrés Martianhes, a sommelier at Balvanera in New York City. “In order to enjoy wine to the fullest, we must be able to smell the variety of aromas that each wine presents. But they can actually change your entire drinking experience. I used to think that wine decanters were mostly for show - just pretty containers fabulous hosts bring out to make a table look fancy for company.

Electric wine aerator dispenser