Customer Reviews:
 Great value for superb wine aeration and a fun bit of table theater. January 18, 2008
15 out of 15 found this review helpful
Luigi's Bormioli's Esperienze wine decanter is the classic ship's decanter shape, but with an especially aggressive central punt (dimple in the middle of the bottom) and a series of concentric rings around the bottom. The rings and ridges are supposed to increase the rate of aeration. I don't know if that's true but everything about this decanter is designed to maximize aeration - from it's extremely generous 88oz size, very aggressive flair, and huge arcing punt. The big size really maximizes surface area at the bottom - a 750ml bottle fills the bottom less than an inch and a half and the surface area is huge. This decanter is very attractive, thin and light weight, and does the aeration job superbly. Filling is a blast - the wine spreads out and comes down over the entire interior surface in a shimmering scarlet film. Very dramatic and pretty. This red curtain show is a great visual to share with friends - it really whets the appetite. Aerating really helps robust reds, particularly Tuscan and Riolla reds, Shiraz, Bordeaux and Cabernets. Old Cabs benefit from decanting to remove sediment too. Big reds are often too tart at first, and aeration makes them bloom into sun drenched sweetness. Be careful about over aerating timid wines, however. If the initial flavor profile is thin you don't want to let it aerate too much (I'm visualizing Beaujolais here). Most Merlots, Zins, and Grenaches will benefit from aeration too - but you have to use your judgment. Once you get the hang of it you can tell by sniffing the wine in the bottle whether you'll want to decant or not. I find I decant about 90% of the red wine I drink (but I generally prefer big reds).
Only complaints? It's very light weight and thin - I don't think it would handle a fall or rough treatment (that's a standard issue with glassware of course). It's glass, not fancy crystal (what do you expect at this price?) Pouring the last glass is a challenge. You must almost completely invert the decanter - risking a splash. It's a challenging final pour. A bit of practice helps. This shape is maximized for letting the wine breath, rather than making pouring easy. I think it's worth the trouble. You should rinse it clean with hot water before it dries out because it's tough to clean without a long brush. I always rinse it out with the sprayer on my kitchen sink and then just let it dry upright in my liquor cabinet. I don't use a special brush or drying device and it's always fine by morning.
Given the huge size, low price, and functional design this thing is a winner. It's a great value for aggressively aerating bold reds - a fun and festive thing to have on the table. Highly recommended.
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