Term (French décanter = to decant, precipitate, settle) for the separation of residues deposited at the bottom of a wine bottle. These substances are formed during the bottle ageing of a wine through the process of polymerisation (precipitation). They consist of tannins, colouring agents and dead yeasts and are usually referred to as sediment. Sometimes any tartar that may be present is also included. During decanting, the wine comes into contact with oxygen, which changes the aroma and flavour of the wine. Older red wines and young wines with a high tannin content in particular can benefit from decanting.
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