Are you looking for a crystal decanter?
If you have not heard of a decanter before, her is an introduction. A decanter is a vessel used to store or serve a liquid with sediment. Most commonly the liquid of choice will be with a liquor such as whiskey or a wine. Decanters can come in a variety of sizes, shapes or designs. Decanters can be made in different materials.
Glass is the most common. The Romans pioneered the use of glass but as glass became a scare commodity after the Roman empire fell most decanters were made from bronze, silver, gold, or earthenware.
Riedel 43-oz. Crystal Ultra Wine Decanter
Riedel's Ultra Decanter combines sophistication and elegance. Its shape allows aeration, the release of flavors and aromas, which enhance the attributes of your wine by exposing it to oxygen. This piece is designed with a comfortable grip for graceful pouring. It is the perfect addition to any wine collection. Crafted from lead crystal in Austria. Decanting old wines, just a few moments before they are served, helps to ensure that the wines' clarity and brilliance are not obscured by any deposit that may have developed over time. Decanting young wines several hours before they are served gives the wine a chance to bloom and attain a stage of development that normally requires years of aging. (Thoughts on decanting by Christian Moueix)
Their was a drawback in using these materials. The earth metals would affect the taste of the liquid and mix into the liquid at times making the taste become sour with a metal twang. As a result other materials were needed to replace these metals.
Riedel ""O"" Series Crystal Wine Decanter
From Austria, this elegant wine decanter is made of lead crystal and offers a unique way in which to serve your wine. At the bottom of the decanter is an indentation where your thumb can be placed. With your thumb resting there, use your other fingers to grasp the bottom of the decanter. With a firm yet gentle grip, tip the decanter forward for pouring into wine glasses. About decanting: Decanting is particularly nice when you want to enhance the clarity and brilliance of aged wines or when you want to serve a younger wine - it allows the wine to bloom, a stage of development that normally requires years of aging.
Then came crystal. When glass became more plentiful crystal became a by product of glass manufacturing. Crystal decanters are more on the elegant side. They are show pieces that may cost a little more but they are well worth the value.
Riedel Set of 6 Vinum Crystal Bordeaux Glasses Plus Bonus Decanter
Introduced in 1986, Vinum was the first machine-made series of glasses in history to be based exclusively on the characteristics of quality, reasonable price and wide distribution. Vinum has had a permanent impact on the globe's wine glass culture. These glasses have proved to consumers and restaurateurs that the pleasure of consuming wine starts with the glass. The Vinum collection, developed by Georg Riedel on the principle that the content commands the shape, is the ""Vitrum-Vinothek"" for every day use.
Decanters have played a pivotal role in the serving of wine or liquor throughout history. In history wine was placed in decanters to make is easier for servants to serve. During the Renaissance period glass was reintroduced by the Venetians.
Riedel 33-oz. Crystal Cabernet Wine Decanter
Crafted of 24 lead crystal, this machine-blown decanter is more compact than most, and is perfect for half-bottles or when you want to experiment with just a few glasses of wine. Decanting is particularly nice when you want to enhance the clarity and brilliance of aged wines, or when you want to serve a younger wine - it allows the wine to bloom, a stage of development that normally requires years of aging. Decanting old wines, just a few moments before they are served, helps to ensure that the wines' clarity and brilliance are not obscured by any deposit that may have developed over time. Decanting young wines several hours before they are served gives the wine a chance to bloom and attain a stage of development that normally requires years of aging. (Thoughts on decanting by Christian Moueix).
The Venetians were able to pioneer the process of adding a long neck to glassware opening up to a wide body. The wide body allowed the wine to have a larger surface area to breath and react to the air. As the wine is able to breath the depth of taste is increased dramatically in the wine. Opening up greater flavor as the wine ages. To stop the exposure of to air a stopper was introduced to decanters in the 1730's. This design has stayed the same till present time.
