When to decant wine?

Le wine decanting operations serve to avoid altering its taste and peculiarities: here is how and when to do it correctly.

When to decant wine?

Some processes, in fact, such as decanting wine, require a profound knowledge of the local grapes and their characteristics, in order to preserve their perfumes and aromas until the bottling and tasting of the final product. It is precisely the operation of decanting wine that allows its taste and aroma to be preserved intact. But when does one decant wine and why?

Why we decant wine

Before explaining when to decant wine and at what stage of the production process this delicate operation takes place, it is essential to know why you decant wine. wine.

Its purpose is, as mentioned above, to keep the chemical, biological and organoleptic characteristics of the wine intact in order to guarantee its quality and eliminate fermentation residues.

In fact, the alcoholic fermentation of the must necessarily produces waste substances such as spent yeast, skins, grape seeds and other sediments that are deposited at the bottom of the barrel and which, if not separated at the right time, risk affecting the quality of the wine. The operation of decanting the wine is carried out right after fermentation, with particular attention to the timing to be followed, which varies from wine to wine.

When to decant wine: a question of balance and timing

Intervening too early by racking the wine would not give the must the necessary time to come into contact with the yeasts and thus develop alcoholic fermentation.

Intervening too late, thus leaving the wine in contact with the spent yeast for a long time, would instead produce unpleasant odours and tastes inside the barrel that would irreparably alter the wine's characteristics. These odours are also known as 'lees odours'. It is up to the oenological team to know when to decant the wine.

In the process of decanting wine, special attention must be paid to the phenomenon of oxygenation, i.e. exposure of the product to the air: on the one hand, it is necessary to oxygenate the wine to eliminate any 'lees odours';
on the other hand, it must not oxygenate too much so as not to lose its distinctive olfactory characteristics.
Every wine has its own times and experts have learnt to know them: a delicate wine with few tannins, for example, needs to be protected from contact with oxygen while a full-bodied red can benefit from brief exposure to air.

Air racking and indoor racking

In order to preserve the peculiarities of each wine, two different methods can be used to decant the wine:
racking in the air and racking indoors.

On air racking consists of decanting the wine from the vessel in which it has been fermenting into a smaller, open vessel to encourage oxygenation and the elimination of unpleasant odours that may be created during fermentation itself.

On closed pouring, on the other hand, is generally used for more delicate wines and minimises contact with air by exploiting the action of a pump (called an 'oenological pump') that transfers wine from one container to another.

First, second and third decanting: when are they done?

Answering the question "when do you decant wine?" is not easy as wines undergo at least three decanting operations, if not more in the case of reds aged several years:

  • the first racking takes place immediately after fermentation, with different timing depending on the type of wine;
  • the second decanting is carried out in early winter, when the low temperatures make it easier for the sediment and lees to fall to the bottom of the barrel;
  • the third transfer is generally done in spring, between March and April.

After the third racking, white wines are ready to be bottled while for red wines the ageing process in the cellar begins.

So when does one decant red wine to age? Red wines that rest in the cellar for several years generally have to be racked twice a year (in spring and winter) and, if necessary, a small quantity of sulphur dioxide is added, a substance that is indispensable to prevent the proliferation of bacteria inside the barrels, in order to replenish the amount lost and volatilised during racking.

Where to sleep in a medieval castle

Have you always dreamed of sleeping in a medieval castle? Find out which are the ten best locations in Italy to experience a fairytale night.

Sleeping in a medieval castle: the 10 best locations

Italy, with its breathtaking landscapes, its villages nestled in the rolling hills and its thousand-year history, offers tourists a wide range of cultural, food and wine and artistic experiences, as well as the possibility of sleeping in a medieval castle.
In fact, there are numerous villages and small towns that still preserve the vestiges of an ancient past in the form of forts, castles and towers that dominate the surrounding landscape and that have been renovated and transformed in recent times into luxury hotels or resorts. From North to South, here are some of the best locations for sleeping in a castle in Italy.

Sleeping in a medieval castle in northern Italy

One of the most beautiful castles in northern Italy is Castello Bevilacqua in Montagnana, a small Veneto village at the crossroads of the region's most important cities. In addition to experiencing the thrill of sleeping in a medieval castle dating back to the 14th century, a stay in this village will give you the opportunity to easily visit the most famous places in the Veneto region.

Charming and romantic, as well as rich in history and works of art, is also the Visconteo Castle in Cassano d'Adda, an imposing fortress mirrored in the river, renovated with a modern and elegant taste that blends perfectly with the ancient architecture.

The Castle of Sinio in Piedmont, on the other hand, stands on the top of the hill overlooking the village below and is an ideal location for those who want to experience sleeping in a medieval castle and living in a fairy tale, dining in the refined candlelit hall of arms or resting in a comfortable four-poster bed.

Capriva del Friuli is home to Spessa Castle, a place where nature and history come together in perfect harmony. Here, elegance and luxury provide guests with romantic emotions.

Rubein Castle is nestled in the enchanting forest surrounding the city of Merano in Trentino: an oasis of peace and tranquillity and the perfect starting point from which to visit South Tyrol and its natural beauty. It is the perfect location to stay in a 12th century castle.

Staying in a castle in southern Italy

Moving from the cold mountains of Trentino to sunny Sicily, the best choice for accommodation in a castle is Castello di Falconara in Butera, a historic residence dating back to the 14th century with exclusive access to the sea and a large park enveloped in the scents and colours of the Mediterranean.

Romantic and fairytale-like at any time of year, but especially at Christmas time, is the Limatola Castle in Campania. It is a fortress perched on the hill overlooking the village, with enchanting outdoor spaces among stone staircases, centuries-old trees and cosy, romantic interior spaces furnished in Renaissance style.

Where to stay in a castle in Central Italy

Staying in a mediaeval castle and immersing oneself in an atmosphere of times gone by is a sought-after experience especially for young couples, who can find in the Orsini Castle in Nerola (Lazio) an enchanted place full of history and charm. The castle, surrounded by a moat and a mighty stone wall, retains all the nobility and refinement of the family from which it takes its name, even in its furnishings and luxury services.

In Abruzzo, on the other hand, is Castello Chiola, a manor house dating back to medieval times with suites furnished in a modern, refined style.

Banfi Castle in Tuscany

The Tuscany, dotted with enchanting villages perched on hillsides, is the Italian region that most offers the possibility of sleeping in a medieval castle. In fact, each village has its own fortress, watchtower or castle, which are restored and refurbished to welcome visitors seeking a fairytale holiday within its stone walls.

In Montalcino, amidst the hills and vineyards of the Val d'Orcia stands Castello Banfi, a historic fortress built between the 10th and 13th centuries that dominates the entire landscape and offers those lucky enough to look out from its battlements a breathtaking view of the entire Banfi estate.

Castello Banfi is a complex dedicated to wellness and relaxation, created to enhance an area rich in history and food and wine traditions, and to offer tourists the opportunity to stay in a castle while enjoying all the comforts of a luxury facility.

The rooms and suites are large and spacious, with an enchanting view of the vineyards and the surrounding Tuscan countryside, and boast furnishings designed by renowned interior architect Federico Forquet, who has breathed new life into the castle's ancient rooms and the village dwellings with innovative and original design. A perfect harmony of luxury and tradition, exclusive handmade accessories and typical Tuscan style.

Staying in a castle such as Castello Banfi will allow you to breathe in an enchanted atmosphere of times gone by, strolling in the shade of the romantic Pergola, where the scent of the rose bushes sweetens the evening air, or relaxing in the Reading Room, where refinement and comfort will give you pleasant moments of relaxation.