Pro Tips & Wine Bargains in B.C. #1 - How to double decant a bottle of wine

A quick way to decant

Pro Wine Tip - Decanting & Double Decanting

Decanting wine is simply the pouring wine from the original bottle into another  bottle, vessel or decanter.

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There are two reasons to decant:

Decanting for Sediment

For finer, older (typically 15 years plus) bigger, red wines (white and rose wines rarely need decanting) e.g. from Bordeaux, Burgundy, California or the Rhone decanting is good idea. Decanting is used here to separate the fine sediment from the wine. With these wines complex, elegant wines a bit of sediment could detract from their full enjoyment. Decanting for sediment will be covered in a future newsletter.

Decanting For Aeration

The second, far more common reason for decanting is to aerate the wine. Exposing the wine's surface to oxygen in this way, enhances a wine's flavor, releases dormant aromas and flavours in the wine and softens the tannins. It makes the wine much softer and better tasting. Aeration makes a very noticeable difference in the flavor and therefore your enjoyment of a red wine. Wines that benefit the most from aeration are those younger and ready to drink now i.e. most reds in the Ripe Fruit Forward and Savoury Fruit styles. Most Light Fruity Reds do not need to be decanted.

You might be familiar with the typical "Ship's decanter" with the very large flat bottom.

This shape provides a very large surface area for wine to interact with the air and aerate far more quickly then simply pulling the cork on the bottle as the surface area at the top of a bottle is only the size of a dime. A decanter will generally take half an hour to two hours or more to aerate the wine and bring out flavours and aromas in a red wine.

But what if you could aerate the wine in two minutes?

Decanting vs. Double decanting

Double decanting is a way to speed up the decanting of a red wine.  Here is how to double decant a wine and then compare the decanted version to the undecanted original.

What you'll need:

1. An open bottle of wine

2. Two wine glasses

3. A jug or measuring cup (something with a spout) that holds

at least 1 liter

4. A funnel that will fit into the neck of the wine bottle

First - Open wine and pour 2 to 3 ounces into one of the wine glasses

Then - Pour the remainder of the wine into the jug or measuring cup

And Then - Put the funnel into wine bottle and steadily pour all of the wine in the jug or cup back into the wine bottle (but not too quickly or the escaping air may push up the funnel or bubble up the wine).

Now - Pour two or three ounces of the decanted wine into the second wine glass and compare it to the one in the glass that was not decanted. 

The decanted one should taste much softer, rounder and more enjoyable.  Once you taste the difference, I am betting you will want to keep that funnel handy.

And for me, although there are many beautiful and creative decanters available, I like the romance of the bottle with its label sitting on the table, as opposed to featureless glass that can sometimes look more like a scientific beaker. It’s more fun for guests . They want to look at the bottle, take down the name perhaps or try to remember it. In this way, I feel it's less elegant perhaps but more interesting and hospitable.   

All Drawings by Dan Siney

About This Newsletter - Say Goodbye to Confusing Wine Choices

Do you enjoy wine but are tired of the same wine choices?  Would you like to try something different, but feel overwhelmed by the parade of labels at your local wine store? 

Let me help you find that "really good" bottle of wine in the same price range to enjoy and share with friends.

Having been in and around wine, including professionally, in British Columbia for 45 years, I have given wine suggestions and practical wine tips to my family, friends and guests such as "Buy this wine, it's great value" "OK, here's the deal on decanting" "a really good wine to go with roast chicken".

I created this newsletter to give British Columbia wine drinkers greater choice, value, knowledge and enjoyment from wine.

Note, I am NOT affiliated with or compensated by any wine retailer, wine wholesaler, wine agent, winery or other company.  There is no paid advertising. This newsletter is supported only by monthly subscriptions, enabling me to focus on sharing the best value Wine Bargains and my wine knowledge with you.

Subscriptions Free and Paid

There are two subscription options, Free and Paid. Brent’s Pro Tips and Wine Bargains will begin publishing about every two weeks (on Thursdays, in time for the weekend!) beginning February 3 for paid subscribers.

In the mean time, the first two newsletters #1 (one you are reading) and #2 (published in a few days with more January deals), containing all the features of the paid subscription newsletters will be available to all subscribers.

Going forward there will be a mix of newsletters, some available to all subscribers and some only for paid subscribers. Ongoing free newsletters going out to all subscribers will contain helpful wine information, tips, ideas and my thoughts on various wine subjects. So there will be plenty for free subscribers too.

Paid subscribers ($8.99 CAD/mth) will have access to the fully featured newsletters that include:

• My illustrated Pro Wine Tips

• Value For Pleasure/Value For Money Wine Bargains

• Discounted wines and when sale expires

• Closest store near you where wines can be purchased

Please read on.

Every newsletter contains:

1. WINE BARGAINS & 2. PRO TIPS

1. Wine Bargains

These are good tasting, great value wines in a range of styles, mostly in the $12.00 to $30.00 range and are often on further discount.  The emphasis is on wines widely available in British Columbia.  They will usually be wines that I have tasted (marked - Tasted ✓) . Included Wine Bargains that I have NOT tasted will be indicated as such but will still be wines I think are excellent bets. Wine Bargains will be value for money and value for pleasure - not just low priced discount wines. Wines having flavours I feel people would have to "put up with" even at a low price, do no make the cut.

But Where Can I Buy the Wine?

The problem with most wine reviews is that if you are interested in picking up a bottle, they don’t tell you WHERE to get the wine. As you will see below, I provide location information for the Wine Bargains so that you can purchase at a store nearest you. I have also provided the wine’s SKU number you can give to the store clerk if you need help finding the wine.

Wine Styles Are Important! Look Below For Wines Bargains in a Style You Already Enjoy or Are Wanting to Try

To help you find a value wine you will enjoy, I have organized my Wine Picks into a handful of wine styles. Focus on grapes and countries is helpful but if you don't enjoy the basic wine style, you won't enjoy ANY wine in that style (your first Wine Tip!).

So, for example, if you don't like big, full, oaky chardonnays, skip the "Bigger, Richer, Whites" wine style section below and go perhaps to "Medium Bodied Smooth Whites". Only wine styles with currently available, great value for pleasure Wine Bargains are included and each wine style will have three Wine Picks at most.

I have done my best to make each Wine Bargains in a wine style you enjoy, a “sure thing”.

Wine Bargains "Step Out" and "Step Up" Wines

What are "Step Up" and "Step Out" wines? In each Wine Style section, you may see other recommendations in the at same style, labeled "A Step Up", or "A Step Out".

A “Step Up” wine is a little more expensive but still a great value for the price. A “Step Out” wine is for those willing to explore a less familiar grape, or flavours from a different area.

2. My Pro Wine Tips

These are illustrated tips and basic wine knowledge I have learned over the years that help you get more out of each glass of wine or give some basic knowledge on topics or answers to common wine questions such as:

• How, when and why to decant wine

• How to keep an open bottle of wine fresher, longer

• Wine terms e.g. "what are tannins?"

Let's Get Started

Here are the Wine Bargains for this edition in these styles and in this order.

Ripe Fruit Forward Reds (3 wines) | Savoury Fruit Reds ( 2 wines) | Lighter Fruity Reds (1 wine) | Medium Bodied Smooth Whites (2 wines) | Richer Oak Influenced Whites (2 wines) | Crisp Dry Whites (1 wine) | Rosé (1 wine) | Sparkling (1 wine)

Scroll down to view Wine Bargains for that style.

For each wine, click the link included to locate store nearest you that carries the wine. The Pro Wine Tip in this issue is Decanting vs. Double Decanting

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THE WINE BARGAINS

These Wines Are Widely Available From B.C. Government Stores B.C. Liquor stores do not sell online or deliver, so to find the B.C. liquor store nearest you that stocks a wine you would like to try, click the product's link in the Wine Bargain to take you to that product's page. Then click "Where to Buy". All the stores stocking that wine will be listed alphabetically. You can also enter your location to show stores closest to you first. Inventories do change but the listings on the BCLDB web site are generally fairly accurate.

FEATURED WINE

Here is just one of the great value for pleasure wines, independently reviewed, available at the time of publication.

Wine Style - Richer, Oak Influenced Whites (fuller, buttery, with citrus, vanilla, tropical fruit, more…)

ALAMOS CHARDONNAY - MENDOZA, ARGENTINA $14.99 - 750 ml |

Lighter, balanced, clean chardonnay flavours with lemon, apple and a touch of vanilla oak. Very consistent and good value here. Tasted ✓ 88 Points

Find Store Nearest You SKU: 467969

Ripe Fruit Forward Reds (think ripe cherries)

QUARISA JOHNNY Q - SHIRAZ/ VIOGNIER, AUSTRALIA $14.99 Reduced to $13.49 On Sale Until Jan 29 - 750 ml

Shiraz & viognier, red and white wine blended? Sounds odd but it is following the style of a traditional blend from the Rhone Valley in France. The viognier element is small but adds to the overall complexity. Fairly straight forward slightly jammy, biggish syrah. Simple, full and pleasing. Tasted ✓ 88 Points

Find Store Nearest You SKU: 340075

KWV CATHEDRAL CELLAR - CABERNET SAUVIGNON, SOUTH AFRICA - $18.50 - 750ml

South African wines available in B.C. are generally great value but clustered at very low prices and entry level quality. This is a little higher up the scale and at an excellent price point. Intense, distinct cabernet character, focused, with some real elegance. Cedar, black currant, plum. This one actually straddles the line between the ripe fruit red style and the savoury fruit red style. Amazing value. Tasted ✓ 89 Points

Find Store Nearest You SKU: 328567

A Step Out - Ripe Fruit Forward Reds

CELLER DE CAPCANES MAS DONIS NEGRE MONTSANT,  SPAIN $18.99 reduced to $15.99 on sale until January 29 - 750ml

The wine is from the Monsant area of Spain. Made mostly from grenache but also tempranillo, merlot, cabernet sauvignon. It has a long rich finish. Similar intensity and body to syrah. Good value at the regular price, great value here on sale. Tasted ✓

Find Store Nearest You   SKU 27944

Savoury Fruit Reds (plenty of fruit - but think cranberry, tomato sauce or fruit leather)

SANGRE DE TORO TORRES - CATALUNYA, SPAIN $16.99 reduced to $12.99 On Sale until Jan 29 - 750 ml

Quite savoury, dry herbs, touch of smoke, simple,clean balanced flavours Tasted ✓ 87 Points

Find Store Nearest You  SKU: 6585

HALOS DE JUPITER COTES DU RHONE, FRANCE $23.99 - 750 ml.

Big and lush for a Cotes Du Rhone and straddles the line between ripe and savoury with cherries, touch of pepper, savoury herbs, soft tannins. A lot of wine for the money. A blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah. Tasted ✓ 90 Points

Find Store Nearest You SKU: 254995

Lighter Fruity Reds (light to medium bodied, savoury or ripe fruit)

LINDEMANS PINOT NOIR - BIN 99 - AUSTRALIA $11.99 Reduced to $7.99 until Jan 29 - 750 ml

From a large, very consistent Australian producer, this wine shows basic simple, pinot noir character with fruit flavours like cherries and red berry fruits, balanced, a touch of wood, with very soft tannins. Nothing here to complain of. Amazing price. Tasted ✓ 87 Points

Find Store Nearest You SKU 458661

Just want to see the Pro Tips and not the Wine Bargains?

You may not live in British Columbia and therefore aren’t able to take advantage of the Wine Bargains in this newsletter.  If you are interested in the Pro Wine Tips though, there is a second sister newsletter created for you. It contains the identical Pro Wine Tips as in this Wine Bargains in B.C. newsletter but does not contain the wine bargains. It also has free and paid subscription options and is a little less expensive than Wine Bargains in B.C. . Click button below to view Pro Wine Tips.

Medium Bodied, Smooth Whites (little/no oak, easy drinking, fresh or savoury fruit, various grapes)

PAUL MAS VIOGNIER PAYS D'OC, FRANCE - $14.00 - 750 ml

Light but with persistent flavors of peach, tangerine, spring flowers and fruit blossom aromas. This is the standard price and is one of the most consistent white value for pleasure wine deals in the province. Tasted ✓ 89 Points

Find Store Nearest You SKU 151100

MISSION HILL - RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2019, OKANAGAN VALLEY, CANADA $23.99 - 750 ML

A leaner, lighter version of chardonnay where the oak sings backup. Has aromas of apple, lemon, vanilla and brioche. Same on the taste with a touch of lime peel, well balanced with a juicy acidity. Tasted ✓ 89 Points

Find Store Nearest You SKU 18812

Richer, Oak Influenced Whites (fuller, buttery, with citrus, vanilla, tropical fruit, more…)

ALAMOS CHARDONNAY - MENDOZA, ARGENTINA $14.99 - 750 ml |

Lighter, balanced, clean chardonnay flavours with lemon, apple and a touch of vanilla oak. Very consistent and good value here. Tasted ✓ 88 Points

Find Store Nearest You SKU: 467969

BREAD AND BUTTER CHARDONNAY - CALIFORNIA, USA - $23.00 - 750 ML

Classic creamy, California chardonnay, with American oak notes, balanced with some richness and drifts of vanilla, tropical fruit and caramel. Well priced classic California chardonnay. Tasted ✓ 88 Points

Find Store Nearest You SKU 199367

Crisp Dry Whites

RAPITALA ORGANIC GRILLO SICILIA, ITALY   $16.99 reduced to $12.99 until January 29 - 750 ml

Light-bodied, fresh and tangy with citrus zest notes. The wine is well balanced, unpretentious and enjoyable. Tasted ✓ 87 Points

Find Store Nearest You SKU: 68516

Rosés (crisp, fresh flavours & nuances from citrus to tart red fruit to herbal depending on grape(s) used)

MANCURA ETNIA ROSÉ - CHILE $11.99 reduced to $7.99 until Jan 29 - 750 ml  

Clean citrus, rose petal, watermelon and rose hips notes on the aroma and flavour with good acidity and slightly off dry. If you are a Rosé-all-day fan, load up.Tasted ✓

Find Store Nearest You SKU: 179165

Sparkling (flavour range-citrus, toasty, peach, pear, tropical, more…)

STELLER’S JAY - BRUT OKANAGAN VALLEY, CANADA - $22.99 - 750 ML

A very dependable great value sparkling wine made with Chardonnay,  Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Noir grapes.  Made using the same traditional French “Methode Classique” used in Champagne, it is typically not released until three years after the vintage. Crisp and complex with a creamy, floral finish. Tasted ✓ 89 Points

Find Store Nearest You SKU: 264879