The 5 Best Wine Decanters of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

How We Tested

We tested a total of 15 top-rated wine decanters in our dedicated Lab side by side, looking at features like design, size, shape, weight, and value. Additionally, our testers undertook a variety of tests to determine which decanters performed the best on a range of levels. These included ease of pouring, decanting, ease of cleaning, and overall success in providing aeration to wine.

Other Options We Tested

• Wine Enthusiast Art Series Wine Tower Decanting Set: A striking decanter to look at, this is a multi-part unit comprising three different glass pieces that slot into a wooden tower. Our testers loved the fact that serving was easy, with no drips observed. But while they thought the design was very unique, they also felt it was "too extra." The fact that the parts are not fixed into place made them nervous, and they observed that the two top pieces (which were the most delicate) "just slot in and are somewhat unsteady." They also felt that the wooden tower seemed "cheap," noting that the walnut stain on the wood was not even.
  
• Made-In Decanter: Built from lead-free crystal and crafted in Slovakia, this is an all-purpose decanter with a classic look and feel. Our testers appreciated its straightforward design, and also heralded the fact that there's not a lot of dripping on the pour due to the slanted spout. That said, they noted that the decanter felt a bit "thin and insubstantial," as well as somewhat fragile—which made them a little nervous when cleaning it. Also, they observed that this decanter "took the longest to get the wine to its peak," and felt that other less expensive models performed better on an aeration level.

What to Look for in a Wine Decanter

Type

Decanters come in a few different types, including electric and traditional, and also use a variety of methods to do the decanting. For example, some require more time for the decanting process to take place, while others allow you to start sipping right away. 

Size

How much wine you typically decant should dictate what size product you choose. While most models are equipped to hold one full bottle, others are made so you can decant a single glass at a time. Also, consider the amount of storage space you have—some decanters fit right on top of a bottle and are small enough to store in a drawer, while others are the size of a large vase and need more room. 

Style

While your decanter definitely has a job to do, it can also add a stylish touch to your tabletop. A variety of styles are available, from classic to modern, so think about what will go best with your taste and surrounding décor.

FAQs

What does a wine decanter do? 

A wine decanter allows the wine to obtain more oxygen to release more flavors and aromas. Normally, you can just swirl the wine in your glass to do this, but some "bigger" wines need more time and more air. So, you pour the wine in a decanter.

How long should you decant wine?

You can decant wines anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours. It definitely depends on the wine. It’s okay to taste it after 30 minutes and see how it’s developed, then leave it in for longer if necessary.

How do you clean a wine decanter? 

Very carefully! Since the decanter is just holding the wine, it’s okay to just rinse your decanter out with warm water, swish it around, then set it on a rack to dry. If you have stubborn stains in the bottom of your decanter, add a handful of rice and some warm water to the bottom, and swish that around.

How long can you leave wine in a decanter? 

You can leave wine in the decanter for up to three days if it has an airtight stopper. After that, it starts to receive too much air and can turn stale. 

Should you decant white wine?

White wines can be decanted, and it won’t hurt the wine. It's more common to decant the heavier whites like your California chardonnays or Rhone Valley white blends. They just don’t need to be decanted as long as reds, 20 to 40 minutes should do just fine. 

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Siobhan Wallace has written about food and wine for over a decade and passed the WSET Level 2, Wines, with Distinction. While learning how long to properly decant a bottle of wine was hard, learning how to properly clean the decanter was harder.

This piece was updated by Tanisha Townsend, who is the founder and Chief Wine Officer of Girl Meets Glass, a wine lifestyle and education agency. She lives in Paris, France, where one of her favorite party tricks is using different decanters and blind tasting her friends on the wines afterward. Her favorite and most impressive one, The Rabbit Wine Super Aerating Decanter.