Decanting is a hot topic. Opinions buzz about when, what, and how to decant. But nearly all that chatter centers around red wines. Is it ever appropriate to decant white, or even sparkling, wines?
While most consumers shy away from decanting white wines, it can greatly enhance your drinking experience. Like red wines, few white wines need to be decanted. However, if a young, complex white wine is a bit too tight, or the temperature isn’t quite right, a decanter can coax the best out of a bottling.
Sommeliers shared their advice on when it might be appropriate to decant a white or sparkling wine, how to do so without harming the wine and which regions and styles are worth consideration.
Commonly Decanted White Wine Styles and Regions
Since decanting can help white wines blow off undesirable aromas, it can be advantageous to keep an eye out for wines that tend to be reductive. Screw caps can be good indicators, as they can create an oxygen-deficient environment for aging. Austrian Grüner Veltliner and Riesling may be worth decanting.
There are many white Burgundies vinified in reductive environments, and increasingly, producers from around the world make reductive styles of Chardonnay as well. Northern Rhône white wines and some Trebbianos from Abruzzo may also have qualities that could benefit from decanting.
Older wines from certain regions are also likely candidates. Decanting a white Rioja can improve the wine. Additionally, a decant may help old German Riesling, which can be a little funky.
Stokes attributes this to vinification practices for these wines. “German winemakers tend to use heavy doses of sulfur to prevent their sweet wines from refermenting in the bottle,” he says.
People should consider a decant for older vintages of white Bordeaux as well. Unlike younger vintages, older white Bordeaux wines are more expressive at warmer temperatures. Decant the wine and let it warm up at room temperature for a half-hour before enjoying.
Whether decanting a red wine or a white wine, the art of decanting wine is a time-honored tradition. Watching wine as it falls hypnotically into a beautiful crystal decanter adds to its enjoyment.
