Varieties of Wine Decanters
From the ornate to the plain, there are different kinds of wine decanters. Some are made by the recognized art glass makers, while others can be plain and artless. Many are collectibles in their own right. And, some of the older varieties contain lead crystal which we know today can pose a health hazard. The article that follows was written by a student of the wine decanter discipline, and offers some pointers to keep in mind.
Different Types Of Wine Decanter
Adding a wine decanter to your wine bar area will add depth and class to wine drinking. Wine decanters not only make red wines taste better, but they offer a very attractive vessel from which to serve wine to your visitors.
A decanter is a type of vessel that is used for holding decantation results. Decantation is the process where liquid from another vessel is poured into the decanter in order to separate a small volume of liquid that contains sediment from a larger volume of relatively clear liquid. In the process of decantation, the sediment is left in the original vessel and the clear liquid is transferred to the decanter.
Wine is a type of liquid that often must be decanted in order to remove excess sediment. All red wines, particularly young red wines, benefit from the oxygenation that takes place during the decantation process. An optimal decanting process involves trickling the wine down the walls of a decanter, which imparts fuller flavor while removing the unpleasant edge of the wine.
Most wine decanters are ornate and tall containers that are made to be very attractive vessels from which to serve wine. Wine decanters may come with a stoppered lid. Additionally, some wine decanters come with a built in rod that aids the decanting process.
Most wine decanters have a very upright and tall shape and are made of glass so that the process of decanting may be seen. One of the most popular materials to make glass wine decanters from is lead crystal. It should be noted, however, that lead crystal is no longer recommended for use in decanters, as the lead tends to seep into the liquid contained within the vessel.
Lead crystal is created by adding lead oxide to molten glass. This lead glass is manufactured because it increases the index of refraction over that of normal glass. This means that lead crystal has a much more 'sparkly' appearance than regular glass.
Though many people still use lead crystal decanters, I long ago gave mine away and have since switched to regular glass decanters, to avoid lead poisoning. If you think about it, most people have the same liquid sitting against the lead crystal for years at a time -plenty of time to absorb more than a healthy amount of lead, in my opinion.
Popular makers of lead crystal decanters are Waterford Crystal, Steuben Crystal, Baccarat Crystal and Steuben Crystal. These manufacturers of fine lead crystal decanters and other items have perfected the art of stunning lead crystal designs. If you opt to go with a traditional lead crystal decanter for your wine or liquor, I'd go with one of the tried and tested lead crystal manufacturers.
April Rounsville used to be a bartender with over 7 years of experience. She later retired to become a freelance wine critic and a writer for a number of wine books. In these books, she specializes on finding the right glassware and utensils for your bar. Visit http://www.ebarware.com for a list of "must haves" such as plastic
barware for your bar.
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Baccarat Crystal and Glass Reside at the Art Glass Pinnacle
Baccarat Glass, or Baccarat Crystal is a one-of-a-kind gift. This handcrafted glassware is of the highest quality, luminous and exquisite in design, and is desired throughout the world. To own a piece of Baccarat glass is to own a piece of history.
Some History
In 1764, to provide industry and jobs for the small village of Baccarat, King Louis XV of France allowed a glassworks to be built. At it's peak, the factory employed around 3000 people. At first, mainly mirrors, glasses and window panes were produced. However, as the story goes, in 1815, following the French Revolution, the well-known and established glassworks in Voneche, in Northern France, found itself outside the country when Belgium was formed. In order to get back into the country, the owner purchased the Baccarat glass company so he could once again sell his glassware to Frenchmen without having to pay large taxes.
You can find a large Baccarrat selection of marvelous crystal works of art - Just visit our Baccarat Crystal Store.
Apparently, a deal was made with the king of France to lower these taxes, if he once again set up shop in France. After this, the Baccarat company decided to focus mainly on producing lead-crystal glass of high quality, and in 1816, the first crystal oven was installed. In the early 1820's, Baccarat received it's first commission from European royalty, making table settings, one of which, the Harcourt design, is still used at official functions by the President of France. Baccarat Crystal is also well known for its paperweights which often feature real flowers, insects, and even small portraits of its customers encased in the glass. In addition, the company has also manufactured urns, vases, candelabras and chandeliers.
Lead Crystal Quality
Baccarat glass had a reputation for not only creating fine glass and crystal, but also because they continually studied the refinement and techniques of lead crystal making. The company's desire was to perfect the making of lead crystal so that it had a lead content of no less than 25%. It was one of the first glassworks to create an opaline type of translucent glassware, and in the late 1830's Baccarat started the use of colored glass in its creations. It also formed a technique which gave the glass appearance of changing colors, just by the addition of uranium oxide.
In modern years, the noble customers have been replaced by the wealthy and those with distinguished taste, because even with the institution of mass production, Baccarat glass has never lost its reputation as being at the pinnacle in crystal design. Aside from Paris, there is a Baccarat House in Moscow, and the product is sold in shops around the world. It also has divisions which are located in Japan and Hong Kong.
Baccarat Crystal Makes a Great Gift
Baccarat crystal and glass has been synonymous with luxury and elegance. For the past 200 years, it has been the foremost name in the production and distribution of fine crystal goods. Whether giving or receiving, Baccarat glass is indeed a one-of-a kind gift enjoyed by all.
Tags: Art Glass, Baccarat Crystal, baccarat glass, Crystal, glass, glassworks, lead crystal
