Using old decanters
- Mark Golodetz
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Using old decanters
As I tend to collect and drink older wines, I almost invariably decant wines. Over the years I have collected older decanters including a few nineteenth century ones, mostly conventional but a few oddballs like Egbert my walrus decanter, which I will photograph later. It adds some fun when you are drinking seriously.
Anyone else use older decanters.
Anyone else use older decanters.
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- Robert.A.Jr.
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Re: Using old decanters
I don’t, but I get your drift. I have many dozens of antique corkscrews, including many from the early 1800s. These are like little mechanical pieces of art, such a celebration of opening something celebratory.
I love this one, aptly called the “King’s Screw”.
Post some pics, Mark.
I love this one, aptly called the “King’s Screw”.
Post some pics, Mark.
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Re: Using old decanters
We use an old decanter that belonged to my wife's grandparents. We believe it to be at least 60 years old. It's very basic but has a small void built in that can hold a couple of ice cubes to keep whites cool. And it always makes us think of them when we use it - they both enjoyed their beverages.
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- John Morris
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Re: Using old decanters
I have only one antique one, which some friends picked up in Scotland as a gift. There's something stuck in the bottom I've never been able to get out, though, so I don't use it.
I have maybe a dozen decanters, many picked up at thrift shops for $5-$10. It's nice to have variety when you're serving different wines and don't want to confuse decanters. Plus, I enjoy the various shapes.
I have maybe a dozen decanters, many picked up at thrift shops for $5-$10. It's nice to have variety when you're serving different wines and don't want to confuse decanters. Plus, I enjoy the various shapes.
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- Mark Golodetz
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Re: Using old decanters
Egbert and friends. The etched one was a Hugh Johnson selection which holds a magnum.
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- Mark Golodetz
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- Mark Golodetz
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Re: Using old decanters
Anyone worry about the lead in these old decanters?
A s h i s h A g r a w a l
- Robert.A.Jr.
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Re: Using old decanters
Walrus is fantastic
"@lf3rt was clearly raised in an outhouse in the Loire. . . ."
Kenny H (circa 2015)
- Mark Golodetz
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Re: Using old decanters
I love Egbert. Always used for what I think will be the best wine. But a pain to clean.
There was a pair of monkeys from the same maker at auction which went for three times the number I was prepared to go.
The lead question is interesting. Definitely not something I would store short or long term, but all the literature says that over the course of an evening there will be no problems.
I did send a sample to a friend’s lab of an old bottle of Cognac, and levels were indeed dangerous, and that came from crystal that was 30 plus years old.
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Re: Using old decanters
from an antique crystal place I have seen: "To make sure crystal glassware is safe to store liquids – no matter is manufacturer has done this already or not – perform this simple task: Fill the interior of your crystal glassware, decanters, and pitchers with white vinegar and let sit for 24 hours. Rinse well before use. The majority of lead oxide molecules will leach into an acidic solution, leaving the top layers of crystal virtually lead-free."Mark Golodetz wrote: ↑November 3rd, 2019, 8:59 amI love Egbert. Always used for what I think will be the best wine. But a pain to clean.
There was a pair of monkeys from the same maker at auction which went for three times the number I was prepared to go.
The lead question is interesting. Definitely not something I would store short or long term, but all the literature says that over the course of an evening there will be no problems.
I did send a sample to a friend’s lab of an old bottle of Cognac, and levels were indeed dangerous, and that came from crystal that was 30 plus years old.
Thank you for the pics!
I want to drink from the dog/walrus-like thing!
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Re: Using old decanters
Is it a walrus or a dog, or a dogalrus?
- Mark Golodetz
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Re: Using old decanters
Mike,Mike Reff wrote: ↑November 3rd, 2019, 9:23 amIs it a walrus or a dog, or a dogalrus?
Nothing doggie about it. It is pure walrus, and I think you need your eyes tested.
![snort.gif [snort.gif]](./images/smilies/snort.gif)
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Re: Using old decanters
Very cool. Is it small? Judging by the pic it looks like it cant hold a standard. Or maybe a standard would completely fill the decanter?
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- Victor Hong
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Re: Using old decanters
Did the Queen know, meanwhile?Robert.A.Jr. wrote: ↑November 3rd, 2019, 7:20 amI don’t, but I get your drift. I have many dozens of antique corkscrews, including many from the early 1800s. These are like little mechanical pieces of art, such a celebration of opening something celebratory.
I love this one, aptly called the “King’s Screw”.
AC6FD231-8572-4C6A-83B3-F7571EECAC05.jpeg
Post some pics, Mark.
WineHunter.
- Victor Hong
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Re: Using old decanters
Lead poisoning poses greatest risk to young children with developing brains, not old people with twisted ones.Mark Golodetz wrote: ↑November 3rd, 2019, 8:59 amI love Egbert. Always used for what I think will be the best wine. But a pain to clean.
There was a pair of monkeys from the same maker at auction which went for three times the number I was prepared to go.
The lead question is interesting. Definitely not something I would store short or long term, but all the literature says that over the course of an evening there will be no problems.
I did send a sample to a friend’s lab of an old bottle of Cognac, and levels were indeed dangerous, and that came from crystal that was 30 plus years old.
WineHunter.
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Re: Using old decanters
The 1907 Match Play Trophy needs some silver polish.
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Re: Using old decanters
Who do you think gave it to him?Victor Hong wrote: ↑November 3rd, 2019, 9:39 amDid the Queen know, meanwhile?Robert.A.Jr. wrote: ↑November 3rd, 2019, 7:20 amI don’t, but I get your drift. I have many dozens of antique corkscrews, including many from the early 1800s. These are like little mechanical pieces of art, such a celebration of opening something celebratory.
I love this one, aptly called the “King’s Screw”.
AC6FD231-8572-4C6A-83B3-F7571EECAC05.jpeg
Post some pics, Mark.
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- Mark Golodetz
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Re: Using old decanters
Victor Hong wrote: ↑November 3rd, 2019, 9:40 amLead poisoning poses greatest risk to young children with developing brains, not old people with twisted ones.Mark Golodetz wrote: ↑November 3rd, 2019, 8:59 amI love Egbert. Always used for what I think will be the best wine. But a pain to clean.
There was a pair of monkeys from the same maker at auction which went for three times the number I was prepared to go.
The lead question is interesting. Definitely not something I would store short or long term, but all the literature says that over the course of an evening there will be no problems.
I did send a sample to a friend’s lab of an old bottle of Cognac, and levels were indeed dangerous, and that came from crystal that was 30 plus years old.

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- Mark Golodetz
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Re: Using old decanters
Holds a full bottle relatively easily.
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- Kris Patten
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