To Just Pour, Aerate or Decant..... that is the question!

There are basically three options after you open a bottle of wine; Just Pour, Aerate or Decant.
  
1) Pour from bottle directly to glass.  This is the most popular option and great for your everyday ready to drink wines.  Wines you usually buy in the grocery store and common wines available on restaurant menus.

2) Aerating is the another option.  This is used for young wines that may need to open up.  Usually when wines are age worthy, meaning you can enjoy for a number of years after the vintage date the wine making style may include lots of tannin.  When these high tannin wines are opened within the first 5 years of the vintage date aerating make be required to reduce the strong tannin impression.  There are a few ways to aerate wine.  Simply taking the cork out and leaving the bottle open will not work.  My favorite method is Splash Decanting.  Splash decanting is swiftly pouring wine into a decanter straight down ensuring that the wine hits the bottom of the decanter and splashes up around the edges. The splash effect ensures that the wine moves around a lot and maximizes the air contact with the wine. After the wine is poured in the decanter leave and let it stand for at least 45 minutes before serving. This method ensures that as much air as possible comes in contact with the wine thus aerating it.  If you are pressed for time use a aerating pourer.  There are many on the market and range in price from about$15 to $65 depending on the brand.  My two favorites in the $20 price range are the Soiree and the Metrokane Rabbit.

3) Simple Decanting is an option reserved for older wines.  In this method you slowly pour wine over a strainer to collect sediment that has formed in bottle. Never allow the wine to sit for more than 15 minutes.  Contrary to popular beliefs older wines do not need time to breath.  Older wines are gentle and should be consumed immediately after opening.  Too much exposure to air can ruin your older wines.

Remember aerate young wines and slowly decant older wines!