Decanter wine decanters
Certain types of red wine in particular, but also white wine, benefit from aeration before serving, which evaporates the acidity and bitterness from the liquid and fully develops the flavour and aroma.
However, those who don't want to wait too long for a glass of great claret can reach for a great gadget - the Wine Breather decanter from Menu, which speeds up the aeration process to two minutes and makes it a great spectacle at the same time.
You can see how the decanting process works in this video:
Decanting is mainly required for mature red wines, but is also suitable for red wines under five years old, where aeration opens up some of the notes of their bouquet.
You can't go wrong with decanting white wine either, but reach for a decanter designed for that wine. This is the Cool Breather decanter from Menu, which has a cooling insert that cools the wine beautifully to serving temperature (around 10°C).
Elegant glass
Just as different decanters are used for white and red wine, these wines are also poured into different glasses. White wines are poured into more elongated glasses, which can be shaped slightly like a drop of water. The elongated and closed chalice keeps the wine cooler and accumulates its aromas.
On the other hand, red wines are poured into rounder, open-top glasses that allow for a better perception of the aromas. If you are serving sparkling wine, reach for a narrow, tall glass called a 'flute', which will let the wine's bubbles stand out.
And what not to forget? Make sure the glasses are thin and made of clear glass, which will bring out the colour of the wine. The glass must have a thin stem, by which we hold it so as not to heat the liquid unnecessarily.
The wine is cool
It is easy for wine to become warmer than is appropriate, especially when sitting for long periods of time. Red wine should be served at around 12°C ( up to 16°C for heavier wines), while white wine should be kept between 9 and 11°C. For this situation, no wine lover should be without a Stelton wine bottle cooler or cool bucket.
The ice bucket and its matching tongs ( for example from Stelton's Cylinda Line collection), which are used to scoop the individual cubes into the glass of water, are not to be missed on the table.
Stylish water carafes and other serving essentials
And speaking of water, the wine decanter should definitely not be missing from the table alongside a carafe and water glasses. Water serves to rinse the taste buds and neutralise the taste, for example after a small snack. For style, be sure to reach for a carafe and glasses in the same style as the wine decanter.
If you want to make the most of the whole process, from choosing the wine to consuming it, your kitchen drawer or wine cabinet should be stocked with other accessories. These include different types of corkscrews and decanting funnels.
Our final tip: Cheese goes well with wine and you can take your serving to a master level with the help of Normann Copenhagen's Part wooden cutting boards. Decorate the table with a few candles and the perfect evening with fine wine and even finer company can begin!
