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PhrasesWine TastingConsiglio di decantarlo prima.
B1

Consiglio di decantarlo prima.

I recommend decanting it first.

Pronunciation

'Decantarlo' — stress on 'de-can-TÀR-lo'. Four syllables. The object pronoun 'lo' is attached.

When to use it

Say this when opening a young tannic red or an old wine with sediment. Decanting aerates the wine and separates it from sediment.

What it means

'Decantare' = to decant. Decanting young wines exposes them to oxygen, softening tannins. Decanting old wines separates clear wine from sediment.

Variations

Lo faccia respirare nel bicchiere.

Let it breathe in the glass.

Swirling in the glass is a simpler alternative to decanting

Meglio aprirlo un'ora prima.

Better to open it an hour before.

Opening early allows slow aeration without decanting

Ha del sedimento, attenzione a versarlo.

It has sediment — be careful when pouring.

Warning about sediment in old bottles

Mini Dialogue

— Consiglio di decantarlo prima. — Quanto tempo? — Almeno un'ora per questo Barolo 2019. — E se lo bevo subito? — Sarà chiuso e un po' duro. Aspetti, ne vale la pena.

— I recommend decanting it first. — How long for? — At least an hour for this 2019 Barolo. — And if I drink it immediately? — It will be closed and a little harsh — wait, it's worth it.

Cultural Note

Decanting is taken seriously in Italian fine dining. Top restaurants keep beautiful crystal decanters specifically for Barolo and Brunello. The ritual of decanting — holding the bottle to a candle to watch for sediment — is one of wine's great theatrical moments.