For The Love Of Port

If you needed to purchase one or a dozen, inexpensive decanters for a Port tasting but did not want to spend a lot of money on the purchase ... which would you choose and where is it sold?

I really liked the single bottle small ship-style decanters we saw on the Harvest Tour. Most of them were IVDP branded, but I think we also saw one at Ervamoira that was Ramos Pinto branded. No idea what they cost, but they looked great and weren't too huge (so you could fit several on a table).

As long as they are large enough to hold an entire 750, that is fine. I do have one Magnum decanter, but it is not easy to use unless well-practiced in pouring every last drop out of it. So if you have better suggestions for mag decanters, I am always open to suggestions.

I bought several Libbey decanters a while back, like this one:
http://www.meijer.com/s/libbey-vina-win ... =665083751
They want $12.99 for it. As I recall, I got them on sale at Bed Bath & Beyond online for $10 each with free shipping, but they don't appear to have them anymore there.

TJMaxx, Home Goods, or Marshalls usually has some decanters under $20

Moses Botbol wrote:TJMaxx, Home Goods, or Marshalls usually has some decanters under $20

This is where I generally find mine at too. I see no reason to spend over $25-30 on a decanter. The inexpensive ones work just as well as the uber priced ones.

The main thing for me--after cost--is the last pour issue. Some decanters are just terrible at the last of a wine and its all you can do to keep it from going everywhere. I agree that under $30 is the goal....rather spend my $$$ on better port.

I had a feeling that value hunters would weigh in here with great suggestions. I can tell from this crowd that the old antique decanters for Port are few and far between, which is understandable. I was at a cool winery in Rioja this summer that had the most amazing lineup of decanters in their museum that I have ever seen!

I have some nice crystal decanters from when I lived in Europe, but haven't used them in years. Just worry about breakage and cleaning to use frequently. Baccarat, Reidel, Val St Lambert, Villeroy&Bach even a tregnum one from the Bohemia!

Roy Hersh wrote:I had a feeling that value hunters would weigh in here with great suggestions. I can tell from this crowd that the old antique decanters for Port are few and far between, which is understandable.

This is a serious group of Port drinkers. We'd rather spend the money on another bottle, not a fancy decanter.

I agree that a great looking decanter will enhance the presentation of a meal or tasting but when you need a bunch of them buy some bottles of Paul Masson and use those bottles instead. Depending on your tolerance level you can always use the wine(?) to make sangria. I have had good luck with the red but I bought them a long time ago. I have a couple that I have had for over thirty years, very sturdy and machine washable. Many of the fancy ones have necks that are a pain when it comes to washing the decanter. Be sure to avoid the heavily leaded glass decanters or don't leave the alcohol in them for long since it leaches the lead out of the glass and into the liquid. Health hazard!