The Best Wine Decanters You Can Buy In 2022
Evgeny Karandaev/Shutterstock By Acacia Deadrick/Updated: Oct. 30, 2022 2:45 am EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Wine is a billion-dollar industry, valued at almost $300 billion in the U.S. alone (via Wine Industry Advisor). Per Forbes, around one-third of American adults drink wine, and Statista counts over 11,000 national wineries. That’s a lot of wine.
There are several different categories in the world of wine, and everyone has an opinion on how it should be consumed. Some prefer their wine with ice cubes while others see this as an insult to the beverage. Some like it sweet while other people won’t even consider taking a sip unless it causes their mouth to pucker. What many people agree on though, is that various wines taste better after being decanted. MasterClass explains that decanting can be used to separate the wine from any sediment that’s gathered in the bottle, as well as to oxygenate it to improve its taste and aromas. In order to decant a bottle, you need a vessel in which to pour your wine. And if you’re going to buy a decanter, you might as well buy one of the best models available. To help you in your search, here are the best wine decanters you can buy in 2022.
How we chose these wine decanters
Parilov/Shutterstock
We wanted to give you the absolute best recommendations for wine decanters. After all, it’s an important item that should not be purchased in haste. To make our selection, we followed a step-by-step process to weed out any inferior products, leaving us with only the top options remaining.
We started by reflecting on our own wine-drinking experiences and used this to guide our choices for categories. Once determined, we sorted various options where they best fit and weighed the pros and cons of each design until we had just a couple left. From there, we looked at public opinion. We want these decanters to work for everyone, so we paid close attention to the reviews by consumers who already own them. After some comparisons, we landed on a final model for each category, which we can assure are the best wine decanters of the year. Grab a bottle and get ready to pour.
The Best Wine Decanters You Can Buy In 2022
Evgeny Karandaev/Shutterstock
By Acacia Deadrick/Updated: Oct. 30, 2022 2:45 am EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Wine is a billion-dollar industry, valued at almost $300 billion in the U.S. alone (via Wine Industry Advisor). Per Forbes, around one-third of American adults drink wine, and Statista counts over 11,000 national wineries. That’s a lot of wine.
There are several different categories in the world of wine, and everyone has an opinion on how it should be consumed. Some prefer their wine with ice cubes while others see this as an insult to the beverage. Some like it sweet while other people won’t even consider taking a sip unless it causes their mouth to pucker. What many people agree on though, is that various wines taste better after being decanted. MasterClass explains that decanting can be used to separate the wine from any sediment that’s gathered in the bottle, as well as to oxygenate it to improve its taste and aromas. In order to decant a bottle, you need a vessel in which to pour your wine. And if you’re going to buy a decanter, you might as well buy one of the best models available. To help you in your search, here are the best wine decanters you can buy in 2022.
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
There are several different categories in the world of wine, and everyone has an opinion on how it should be consumed. Some prefer their wine with ice cubes while others see this as an insult to the beverage. Some like it sweet while other people won’t even consider taking a sip unless it causes their mouth to pucker. What many people agree on though, is that various wines taste better after being decanted.
MasterClass explains that decanting can be used to separate the wine from any sediment that’s gathered in the bottle, as well as to oxygenate it to improve its taste and aromas. In order to decant a bottle, you need a vessel in which to pour your wine. And if you’re going to buy a decanter, you might as well buy one of the best models available. To help you in your search, here are the best wine decanters you can buy in 2022.
How we chose these wine decanters
Parilov/Shutterstock
We wanted to give you the absolute best recommendations for wine decanters. After all, it’s an important item that should not be purchased in haste. To make our selection, we followed a step-by-step process to weed out any inferior products, leaving us with only the top options remaining.
We started by reflecting on our own wine-drinking experiences and used this to guide our choices for categories. Once determined, we sorted various options where they best fit and weighed the pros and cons of each design until we had just a couple left. From there, we looked at public opinion. We want these decanters to work for everyone, so we paid close attention to the reviews by consumers who already own them. After some comparisons, we landed on a final model for each category, which we can assure are the best wine decanters of the year. Grab a bottle and get ready to pour.
We started by reflecting on our own wine-drinking experiences and used this to guide our choices for categories. Once determined, we sorted various options where they best fit and weighed the pros and cons of each design until we had just a couple left.
From there, we looked at public opinion. We want these decanters to work for everyone, so we paid close attention to the reviews by consumers who already own them. After some comparisons, we landed on a final model for each category, which we can assure are the best wine decanters of the year. Grab a bottle and get ready to pour.
Best overall
Le Chateau
Best splurge
Riedel
This decanter is stunning, and its high retail price comes with quality features. The curly decanter is handmade with crystal and produced by a brand that has been making exceptional wine glasses and decanters for decades. Although this decanter may be difficult to clean due to its unique shape (hand washing is a must), it’ll last beyond your lifetime if you care for it. Its capacity accommodates close to two bottles of wine, or simply allows space for more oxygen to flow through.
Best budget
Godinger
This carafe is shaped to allow the wine to effectively aerate, and it has an ergonomic stem and a slanted spout to make pouring easy. It’s wide enough to avoid spillage when you empty a bottle of wine into it, and its shape makes it relatively simple to clean compared to other models. This is perfect for any red wine, and its lovely aesthetic makes it a decorative piece too.
Best for full-bodied wines
If full-bodied reds like cabernet or syrah are your favorite, consider purchasing the Riedel cabernet decanter, which was designed with these styles of wines in mind. Wines open up and display their aromas when they are exposed to oxygen, and full-bodied reds take a little bit longer than their medium- and light-bodied counterparts (via Wine Folly). It’s recommended that you decant a full-bodied red in a vessel that allows considerable contact with oxygen. This will speed up the process so you can drink your wine sooner.
Best for medium and light-bodied wines
Riedel’s merlot decanter offers everything we love about Riedel decanters, just in a smaller package. It’s made from high-quality material, it’s easy to clean, and it leaves you with a wine that’s reached its fullest potential. It also comes at an affordable price, and its narrow frame makes it no problem to store.
Best for magnums
Most decanters are only manufactured to hold one bottle of wine, and even if you can fit more inside, it’s often not recommended as it takes up space needed for the wine to oxygenate. To properly decant a magnum bottle of wine, you need the right decanter, and the best one on the market is the Riedel Performance magnum.
We’ve mentioned how much we admire Riedel, and this decanter is no different than others from the brand in terms of quality, style, and performance. Most importantly, it holds 80 fluid ounces, so your magnum will have plenty of space to aerate.
Best unique
Le Sens
This decanter is aptly named as it’s shaped like a snake, which lends itself to its functionality. The Cobra has a wide base that works well for aerating and features an exaggeratedly long stem, making it 20 inches high in total. You may have to adjust the positioning of your hands as you pour, but once you’ve mastered the technique, it’ll be second nature.
Now, you may be worried about how you’re going to clean this special crystal craft, and that is certainly a legitimate concern. Thankfully Le Sens includes cleaning beads with the decanter which keeps it sparkling and aids its longevity. No need to look for the world’s longest sponge to wipe down your Cobra.
Best with a handle
Simplified By Jess
You can use this decanter to aerate any bottle of wine you’d like. It’s got a wide base, so it’ll even open up fuller-bodied styles. It can hold an entire 750 mL bottle with plenty of space to spare. Don’t let the hole for the handle fool you; there’s lots of room for liquids in this decanter.
As one reviewer raved, “Perfect aerator. Fun shape and really opens up the flavor of the wine.” Meanwhile, another satisfied customer shared, “This decanter is made of high-quality glass and comes with a convenient stand, making it easy to use,” (via Flight Wine Bar)
Best dishwasher safe
Good Glassware
Keeping your wine decanter clean is vital not only to its longevity, but also to ensure you are removing all traces of the wines you previously drank. To remedy this, a dishwasher-safe option is fundamental. Good Glassware’s wine decanter is our favorite option for this category.
This decanter is made of crystal glass and has a wide base so you can aerate any bottle of wine. It also has a slanted spout that’s perfect for pouring. You may want to put it on the bottom rack of your dishwasher for the best fit (it’s close to 9 inches in height), but fear not, the sturdy material won’t break.
There are other reasons to love this decanter, as customers note: “This is the perfect decanter. It’s stylish and sleek but not over the top. It pours well, it’s not awkward to hold, and it stores in smaller spots. I’ve owned several decanters and this is by far the best.”
Best crystal
Waterford
Waterford has long been known for its quality crystal, and this decanter fits the bill. It has a wide base that’s perfect for aerating full-bodied wines, and the underside of the base is decorated with a stunning design that completely elevates its elegance. It’ll look perfect on your holiday table or sitting out on your bar cart.
The design also matches with other Waterford items, like wine glasses, highball glasses, and goblets. If you already have some of the collection, this carafe will make the perfect addition to your set. If not, the design stands out on its own. Either way, it’s a great purchase.
This decanter is a little pricey, but it’s a timeless piece that will last a lifetime. As one reviewer commented, “Beautifully made, sturdy. Wife was quite impressed and loved it as an anniversary gift!”
Best complete set
Chateau La Derive
If the latter sounds like you, pick up Chateau La Derive’s wine decanter set. This comes with just about everything you’ll need for decanting and drinking wine. It includes a foil cutter, a bottle pourer, cleaning beads, a cork popper, a small sieve, and more. The only items left to purchase will be glasses and a bottle.
The decanter has a unique U shape featuring a wide base for aeration and a long stem so your wine naturally hits the sides of the decanter as you pour it in for further oxygenation. It’s built to make wine taste its best, and thanks to the iridescent glass, it’s totally stunning and different from most decanters on the market.
One reviewer summed up what it’s like to purchase this decanter by writing, “The decanter itself was elegant, practical, and affordable. The packaging was a deal for shipping. All of the items that came with that were great. This is possibly the best gift I have ever purchased online.” What are you waiting for?