Types of Port Decanters

There are many kinds of carafes used for decanting, storing and serving Port. Purists prefer using crystal decanters with shorter necks and wide globular bases. The decanter's designed allows oxygen to mix with the wine, so the bouquet will come through faster. A wine decanter is a vessel into which wine is poured or decanted from its bottle. Decanters vary in style, shape and size. Most decanters will hold the contents of a regular size bottle of port wine. Large sizes decanters for magnums or large bottles are available.

Traditional Ships Port Decanter

The classic choice for a port decanter is the traditional ships decanter style. This is a glass or crystal decanter with a long neck and a broad, curved base. The decanters design roots can be traced back to the Royal Navy, where it was to hold the port or wine while at sea.

Modern Ships Decanter

Similar to the traditional Ships Port Decanter, the Modern Ships Decanter has a wider base with a long neck. The wide base gives the decanter its stability. The Ships Decanter's designed avoids bruising the port while decanting, by allowing the liquid to run gently down the sides of the decanter. The large bottom also allows the port the largest surface area for breathing.

Hoggett Decanter

The Hoggett Decanter's design is just for port wine. The decanter has a uniquely carved wood base in which to sit the round bottom of the decanter. Port etiquette suggests the port decanter should never be stop by anyone except the host. Therefore, the design forces one to hold to the etiquette rule. When a guest receives the decanter, they pour themselves a glass and pass the port along until it reaches the host again.

Crystal Admiral's Decanter

The Admiral's Decanter is another version of the Traditional Ships Port Decanter. In addition, this crystal port decanter will hold one liter of port. The decanter has a round, wide base with a short slopping neck.