The 15 Best Decanters for Every Wine and Spirits Lover

May 05, 2023

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By Hannah Selinger

A decanter—whether for wine or whiskey—can serve a number of purposes. It can introduce oxygen to a young and tight wine that needs help opening up, aid in the process of separating sediment from an older bottle or even help a whiskey age, ever so slightly, over the course of days, weeks and months. Of course, it can also provide beauty and whimsy to your table. To help you pick the right decanter for the right occasion and libation, we tapped a team of wine and spirits experts. Here are our 15 picks for the best decanters, from the everyday to the splurge-worthy.

$45 at Amazon

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$55 at Allmodern

"Flashy decanters are fun, but the wine should come first," says Morgan LaCroix, the wine director at Twin Farms, in Barnard, Vt. LaCroix swears by the streamlined and modest Riedel Cabernet Decanter, which she describes as easy-to-hold, perfect for aerating and manageable when it comes to dripping. The decanter's classic and open tulip shape makes it a cinch to clean, and it is on the sturdier side for crystal models. An bonus, LaCroix says, is that it's well-suited for larger groups. "It is easy to control the liquid, so if you are sharing a special bottle among a large group, you can pour confidently," without losing drips down the side or overpouring anyone's glass

$27 at Amazon

$27 at Wayfair

The flexible Bormioli Rocco Loto Wine Decanter, with a 1.5-liter capacity, comes from a brand that Randy Forrester, owner of Portland, Maine's Radici, trusts. "We use Bormioli Rocco stemless wine glasses at home," he says. In addition to holding a full magnum of wine, this decanter regularly sells for under $25. Forrester likes to use it to add even more oxygen into young wines. "It allows us to take younger bottles of red or white wine and ‘splash’ them into the decanter to encourage quick aeration," he says. But this decanter can also be used for large bottles or just as a beautiful set piece, given its value.

$40 at Crate & Barrel

"The smaller the decanter, the less aeration, the wider or bigger the decanter, the more aeration," explains Danielle Ruane, wine director at Earth at Hidden Pond in Kennebunkport, Maine. Ruane prefers the Swoon Wine Decanter from Crate & Barrel, a standard bell decanter, which works particularly well for young or bold wines that require extra oxygen to open up. The large bell shape of this attractive decanter allows tannin-heavy wines to open up more quickly. An bonus: This attractive piece looks good on any table or wine caddy (known as a gueridon among pros).

$220 at Cooper's Hawk

The Cooper's Hawk Grapevine Decanter looks unlike most others on the market, which is part of what draws Dana Beninati, chef and sommelier at Dine with Dana in New York City, to it. "It is a true showstopper," she says. Wine, she explains, is poured over a glass globe as it enters a conical decanter, immediately aerating it, and making it ready to enjoy in a much shorter period. The wine's "aromas easily unfold from the glass, thanks to this efficient decanting," she says. The globe can also be filled with cold water, for those wishing to chill wine while it decants, and a release valve prevents it from spilling during the pour.

$85 at Amazon

White wines and Champagne, says Marianne Diemer, sommelier at the Hôtel Lutetia in Paris, require less oxygen in decanting. "The wine remains the star of the show and is only humbly helped out by the tool," she says. Diemer prefers the slender and sleek Lehmann Carafe Grande Rouge for fine bottles of Champagne, as the decanter can fit snugly into an ice bucket and doesn't allow in too much oxygen. "It brings just the opening and freshness we seek," she says of the decanter. These pieces are handblown and are "light-as-a-feather." Lehmann's decanters, Diemer adds, are just as elegant as the Champagne that goes in them.

$100 at Gracious Style

Occasionally, a sommelier, wine professional or oenophile may wish to double-decant a wine: that is, pour a wine from a bottle into a decanter and then back into its original—but now clean—bottle. The Zalto Carafe #75 is the perfect decanter for this job, says John Slover, corporate beverage director for Major Food Group in New York City. The decanter has a "very elegant, narrow shape, taller and narrow rather than short and squat," and "the narrowness slows the oxidative effect of decanting." The shape of the decanter, he notes, aids with pouring wine back into a bottle, which helps to clear sediment; it's particularly useful with extremely old or tannic wines.

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"The differences between whiskey and wine decanters are extensive," says Beninati, "so it is wise to invest in both." The major distinction is the closure—a wine decanter does not have one, since it is designed to expose wine to oxygen, while a whiskey decanter is stoppered, only allowing aeration incrementally. The Waterford Lismore Square Decanter, with its wide, stable base and faceted glass makes it "easy to admire the contents from near or far," says Beninati, while still slowly introducing oxidative flavors appropriate to whiskey to help it to age at a gradual pace.

$70 at Royal Design

For some, the best kind of decanter is the kind that looks great, and can be cleaned with a simple pass through the dishwasher. Devin Finigan, owner and chef of Aragosta at Goose Cove in Deer Isle, Maine, recommends the Fia Carafe. "It is understated, sleek, it does basically the same as every other decanter," she says. "And it goes in the dishwasher. Enough said." The other standout feature is the elegant glass ball that rests in the dimple on the decanter's bottom; it serves double-duty as a stopper to close the top. This elegant decanter can also be used for water service and is a flexible piece of dinner glassware.

$177 at Gracious Style

$271 at Amazon

Special occasion bottles, says Nick Daddona, wine director for the Boston Wine and Food Festival, require a special occasion decanter. For this, he recommends the Zalto Mystique. "Zalto is the highest possible quality for crystal," he says. "It is an elegant decanter that is strong." Daddona also appreciates the price-to-quality ratio of the Zalto Mystique, as well as the overall craftsmanship.

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To liven things up at her restaurant, Ruane adds a Spanish-style decanter—also known as a porrón. "These have a spout, so it's easy to pour," she says. "You can even pour from a high point, and top it right into the wine glass." A cork on top of the La Tienda Glass Porron Wine Pitcher prevents wine from spilling out of the larger opening while you pour from the smaller spout. A lower-price novelty decanter, this is a fun investment for those who enjoy having multiple types of wine accouterment for entertaining.

$32 at Etsy

"In earlier times, wine filtration was ineffective at best, leaving considerable amounts of sediment of wine," says Beninati. "Enter the cradle decanter, generally made of braided metal or woven like a basket. These simple decanters hold wine bottles at a slight-yet-steady angle." This particular Braided Metal Wine Bottle Holder, from France in the 1950s, is perfect for decanting older wines from basket-to-glass. "I love the storied legacy behind this style of decanter," Beninati says, "but I also appreciate how simple it was to use and store." This one-of-a-kind decanter is, though, one-of-a-kind. For a more rustic option, check out this Vintage Wine Basket. (You can find mass-produced, similarly designed baskets, but the unique design and history can make it worth seeking out a classic model.)

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$60 at Houzz

For wines that could use a little help opening up—but that also require a chill—the Kalalou Tilted White Wine Decanter with Ice Pocket is an ingenious invention, says Forrester. "The most interesting design feature of this decanter is the ice pocket that allows you to keep your favorite white wine chilled without the bulky ice bucket." The decanter's separate ice pocket prevents the ice from watering down the white wine, while keeping it cold. "White wines are so rarely decanted," Forrester adds. "This decanter makes it easy, while at the same time adding contrast to your table."

$89 at Amazon

$89 at Made in Cookware

"You don't need to spend a lot of money to deliver the wine some oxygen," Finigan says. She prefers Made-In's simply designed and affordable decanter, which "looks great, rinses out easily and does the job well." The decanter, she says, balances all of the needs of an everyday piece of glassware. "And it doesn't break the bank," she notes. The brand also offers a lifetime warranty and states that the piece is dishwasher-safe.

$237 at Wolf and Badger

The Eto wine decanter does double-duty as an aerator and wine-preserver. "The neck of the bottle has a small aerator, which emulates the effect of traditional decanting as the wine is poured," says Beninati. "Once the wine is in the decanter, the neck of the bottle can also be pressed down, much like how one uses a French press." Pressing down creates an airtight seal, reducing the exposure to oxygen and preserving the wine for up to two weeks, keeping it both aerated and fresh.

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A decanter that is also a stand-in for art, the delicate Riedel Swan Decanter is not inexpensive—but you get what you pay for, says Luvo Ntezo, head wine sommelier at the One&Only Cape Town in South Africa. "It stands out because of its beauty and unique shape." Sediment settles in the bottom of its swan body, and the decanter allows for a richer, fuller-style of wine. Ample wines, like Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, perform best in this stunning service piece.

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