The world of wine and spirits decanters is full of wonders and has been so for centuries. We’ve found the best ones for you for all budgets…
Why do people decant wine or spirits anyway?
Fine wines and spirits are such complex and sophisticated beverages (and often expensive as well!!), amateurs and professionals have been willing to sublimate the tasting experience by optimizing its visual element.
“You first eat with your eyes” they say. Well, you also first drink with your eyes.
Winemakers pay extreme attention to the color coming out of their grapes and into their wine. Sommeliers and connoisseurs love to showcase what they’re pouring as well they can. Because if the drinker is first impressed by the color of the beverage, even before smelling or tasting, it is likely he/she will enjoy it more. A proven fact!
Additionally, and obviously, decanting also allows to optimize the tasting experience by:
- removing any sediment that may have deposited at the bottom of the bottle during ageing. No one wants solids in a glass of wine!
- aerating the wines. Wine is a living creature, trapped in a bottle for years, if not decades. Letting it breathe up before meeting your lips, tongue and palate gives it a chance to sing better and louder…
Why a Top 7 wine & spirits decanters?
7 is the perfect number. We are looking for perfection here, not only “good-looking” flasks.
“Only the finest, just for you Social Vignerons readers, because you’re worth it…” and because I like my friends to have the best in the wine world so it’s more fun when I come and visit 😉
Many websites around go on with their Top 10, Top 18 or Top 20 wine decanters. Honestly, we could only really find 7 wine and spirits decanter with an absolute WOW factor…
So let’s get on with our TOP 7 Decanters in the World:
1- Carafe N°10 by Etienne Moneau
As he puts it himself, French designer Etienne Moneau creates “strange carafes“. His Carafe N°10 is probably one of his most spectacular creations.
Containing 750 ml, it is made of borosilicate glass in a limited edition (8 only will ever be made) priced at 2,500 euros + delivery.
If you can afford it, imagine presenting your best Christmas bottle in this decanter standing by the Christmas tree !!
Find out more on Etienne Moneau site the-strange-decanter.blogspot.com
2- Riedel ‘Bliss’ Love Heart Decanter
Austria-based Riedel is the most famous and probably biggest wine glassware manufacturer in the world. No surprise then (although a bit of disappointment in a way that there is not so much more inspired creativity elsewhere) to see they produce a fair share of our Top 7 decanters. It seems they have not only the crafting skills, but the creativity as well.
Their ‘Bliss’ decanter displays one of the most beautiful symbols of all, the symbol of sharing, the symbol of love…
Retails around $240 USD. Find this decanter to buy on Riedel Bliss Decanter on Amazon.
3- 3-Switch Revolving Wine Decanter
This unique decanter by Chicago-based 3-Switch designs not only allows to present the wine nicely, but its revolving ability will aerate the wine beautifully.
It will also for sure entertain your guests as they see it spinning on the diner table… until it crashes on the floor!!
A nice little touch: the stand is wooden, coming with a choice of milled cherry wood, reclaimed barn wood, or black walnut wood.
Retails at $230 USD. More info on threeswitch.com
4- Riedel Face to Face & Horse Decanters
Two beautiful decanters along the similarly-shaped series, by Riedel again.
We particularly like how the horse seems to be lapping wine when the decanter is full. You can always blame the horse if the level goes down!
Retails around $450 USD.
Find these decanters to buy on Amazon: Face to Face Decanter or Horse Decanter.
5- Etched Globe Spirit Decanter
Spirits (the alcoholic ones) do not generally need much aerating or decanting. However, presented in a nice decanter brings the act of offering, pouring and sharing a nice glass of whisky, brandy, rum or Tequila to a whole new level.
Fine spirits come from all corners of the world, they make us travel while tasting and chatting. What’s best then than an Earth globe-shaped decanter as a starting point to kick off conversations…
Retails around $40 USD. Find this Globe Wine Decanter on Amazon.
6- Riedel Swan Wine Decanter
Riedel strikes again with this amazingly-long (71 cm high) and thin decanter. It must be very difficult to actually pour a glass of wine without breaking anything, but it looks sublime!
Retails around $400 USD. Find this Swan Riedel Decanter to buy on Amazon.
7- Menu Wine Decanter
Sometimes the simplest designs are the most effective, visually. We find it’s the case with this affordable yet elegant and pure decanter by Danish design company Menu.
Retails around $55 USD. Find Menu Decanter to buy on Amazon.
Not sure How and Why to Decant your favorite beverage? Find out with our Beginner’s Guide to Decanting wine
Or navigate more of our fun & interesting Accessories posts.
Please let me know your thoughts