What Is the Definition of a Wine Carafe?

A wine carafe is a vessel for holding and serving wine. Depending on the occasion, it may be elegant and ornamental, modern and chic, or purely functional. As wine has become increasingly popular with Americans, the interest in wine drinking accessories such as carafes has been growing as well.

Material

Wine carafes are usually made from glass, but they may also be made of metal.

Shape and Volume

Wine carafes are most commonly narrowed at the neck and flared at the mouth and will hold the contents of a full bottle of wine (750 milliliters).

Sediment Removal

In addition to serving as a decanter, a wine carafe may be used to eliminate sediment from wine. The wine is poured slowly from the bottle into the carafe until the sediment approaches the neck of the bottle, at which time the pouring is halted, allowing the sediment to remain in the bottle.

Aeration

A wine carafe can also be used to effectively aerate wine before serving. The wide mouth of the vessel exposes the wine to air, allowing it to "breathe" and opening up the flavors. Young red wines in particular benefit from aeration.

Dining Out

Many restaurants, especially French and Italian ones, serve their house wines in carafes. Sometimes these wines are even referred to as "carafe wines" on menus.