"pgluth1" > wrote in message
>
> On the other hand, unless you are dealing with expensive, older reds,
> decanting IS not necessary, but is fun nonetheless.

Pretty much true as wines are so filtered there will be no sediment. I make
my own wine. Some bottles will have a bit of sediment and decanting helps.
It also help in the flavor of the wine. Contrary to what another poster
said, it surely does make a difference on some wines. Making my own, I have
the luxury of comparing bottles from the same batch at the same time (and at
minimal cost) and the difference is plain to even the most casual wine
drinkers.

I'd done side by side blind testing with guest. Same wine, one decanted for
a few hours, the other opened maybe 10 minutes. What do you prefer? To a
person, they all like the smoother wine in glass A. This may not matter so
much on a glass of wine from a box or a $3 bottle, but on many, it makes
quite a difference.
--
Ed
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome/