Q: When must a red wine be decanted?

A: Most often decanting is used with older wines (generally those older than 10 years) to separate out any sediment deposited during the aging process. Decanting is also used to allow the wine to "breathe," allowing oxygen to come in contact with the wine in order for the flavors and nuances of the wine to blossom. Again, this is usually reserved for older wine, although, if you choose, it can be done with any red wine.