A decanter and an aerator are both wine-serving tools, designed to enhance a wine’s flavor. Both pieces expose wine to air, which in turn, releases a wine’s flavors. However, a decanter is a type of vessel, while an aerator is a specialized gadget.
A decanter is a container designed to accommodate an entire bottle of wine. Its main function is to separate the wine from any sediment that may have accumulated in the wine bottle. Typically present in older wines, sediment has a gritty texture that can be unappealing to drink. Decanters typically feature a wide base and a long neck, designed to expose a large surface area of the liquid to the air. This aids in oxidation, or the gradual process that softens the wine’s tannins and intensifies a wine’s aromas and flavors.
In contrast, an aerator is a device or tool used to introduce air into the wine as it is poured from the bottle into the glass. An aerator functions by quickly exposing the wine to air so that the wine’s aromas and flavors can be developed in a very short period of time. Aerators are preferred for younger wines with more intense flavors. Aerators generally attach directly to the wine bottle, although some models are intended to be placed over the wine glass while pouring.
