What is a decanter?
A decanter is a vessel, typically made of glass, that is used to serve and store wine or other hard liquors. Decanters can range from very ornate pieces made of heavy, cut-glass to sleek, streamlined objects with sculptural appeal. Decanters first emerged in the 18th century in an effort to separate wine from the sediment collected at the bottom of a bottle. Until approximately the 1780s, wines were sold and distributed unfiltered, resulting in acrid-tasting sediment that lined the bottom of its shipping container. The idea was that decanters would separate the debris from the drinkable liquid. Although today’s wines possess virtually no sediment, decanters continue to exist as a desirable decor item. Some contemporary decanters are designed to promote aeration of the wine, while others are merely decorative, intended to lend gusto to a bar cart.
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Lead photo by Michael Kaskel