You know what? I do not own a decanter. Anyone own one? Why? And would you recommend one? #fridayQuestions
@scottyorange I have a nice little decanter that I bought at a yard sale. It came with six wee glasses that I couldn't resist.
It sits empty in the liquor cabinet. I just know I will find a use for it someday!
@sugarpopspete this is what I think I would do if I acquired one. Maybe use it once.
@scottyorange I have one but I don't use it much any more.
It's useful for aerating wines. Big reds can be 'tight' when you open them. Airing them in a decanter lets the subtle flavors shine and gets rid of initial bitterness. Also if the wine has some sedimentation it's easier to separate it out in a decanter.
It's most useful if a) you drink expensive red wines that need to breath; or b) you drink somewhat gnarly younger red wines and don't want them to tear your face off. 😜
@scottyorange I come from a wine drinking people. I've drunk wine since I was a toddler (mixed with seltzer). I do not now nor have I ever owned a decanter. [I also do not drink anymore, but anyway.] Some wines reach optimum flavor and aroma by breathing a bit out of the bottle before being drunk. Decanters expose more of the wine to air. If you enjoy ritual, and plan to have guests over, then treat yourself to a decanter. Here's a whole thing on that: https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-decanting-wine
@AmaryllisLanza I'm not much of a wine drinker. I only just recently bought a block of cheese for pairing with wine. Is that good to mix seltzer and wine? I like eating apple slices with wine. I make mead, cider, and beer. Just wine isn't something I've really been into. Also I'm too afraid to spend lots of money on a bottle. So I may have that working against me.
@scottyorange Don't waste your money. Honestly, wine is good on its own. And yes, it's excellent mixed with seltzer or 7-up. I'm not sure that it's wise to let children drink it, but my grandparents thought it was. In fairness, it was hardly the most dangerous thing I did as a child. I think they figured if I got a little tipsy and sleepy in time for siesta it was better than having me run up and down the pier trying to be Pippi Longstockings. 😆
@AmaryllisLanza okay so I tried the seltzer and wine thing. Very interesting. How much for each part? I did 50/50. I'm liking it. Took me long enough to acquire seltzer water. LOL
@scottyorange Oh, nice! Well, when I was little, it was 1/3 wine to 2/3 seltzer, which was enough alcohol exposure for a child. But as an adult beverage, 50/50 is excellent. You can add orange or lemon wedges. Try it with White Zinfandel on ice in summer. Delightful!
@scottyorange Just to be clear, I'm not promoting giving children alcohol. I was raised in a Spanish fishing village and things were definitely different in the 70s. 😉
@AmaryllisLanza I bet. If it's anything like ie heard of in France there was always wine on the table and if a child wanted some they could have some. But it was lower alcohol, like what people call table wine I think? But maybe different in Spain. I want to travel there someday.
@scottyorange Our wine is pretty good. Spain has a lot to offer. Each region is distinct in its traditions. I'm from Galicia, in the Northwest. It's an ancient Celtic kingdom, and Portugal split off from it. It's lovely there. I would recommend it.
@scottyorange
My housemate's an ex-bartender. I believe he has 2 or 3 of them. I don't know anything about them.