Information on the different types and uses of decanters

Giving gifts can become a very complicated process when you are simply not sure what the person might need or like. It’s times like these that you want to be able to give gifts that everyone will love and use, so you can be sure your purchase isn’t taking up a small, isolated, forgotten space in the back of a closet. That is why one of the best items to give as a gift is a pitcher. They make great Christmas and Thanksgiving gifts, not to mention those given on birthdays, anniversaries, retirements, and farewells. They’re also a no-brainer when it comes to hostess gifts.

Decanters are basically containers of different shapes and sizes that are used to store spirits and alcoholic beverages. The size and shapes are usually based on the drink to be stored, but there is no hard and fast rule about what drink can be put in it. They are usually used for drinks such as Scotch whiskey, vodka, gin, wines, etc. The most used are for Port wine and Scotch whisky. The smaller ones are used for sherry and liqueurs. They can also be purchased as a set of the decanter itself and from 2 to 6 glasses to accompany it.

Historically these were primarily used to hold liquids that would settle. Therefore, its most recognized use was to house different types of wines. Drinks were poured into these containers to facilitate their pouring into the glass. Nowadays too, since it is considered a bit in bad taste to place the original bottle on the table, they are mainly used to serve the alcohol. They also had other uses. It was used to facilitate the decanting of wine, which basically means that the larger volume of clear liquid was separated from the smaller amount of sediment-filled liquid by using these vessels. They were also used to aerate wines. Wine connoisseurs believe that if the wine is allowed to breathe, the harsher aspects of the wine are removed and the aromatic compounds are released. These decanters usually have a wider body and also a wide opening. But this use has been under great debate.

Decanters can be made from metals such as gold, silver, or copper, but the easiest variety to find is made from glass or crystals. The glass ones are quite expensive and equally beautiful and elegant. Some very expensive drinks like cognac come packaged in their own special decanters that have been known to become collector’s items.