Decanting is more than just ceremony - it's a crucial step in enhancing your wine experience. When wine is poured into a decanter, contact with air softens tannins and releases aromas. Young red wines typically need 1-2 hours to breathe, allowing harsh tannins to smooth out. Aged wines only require 15-30 minutes of gentle aeration, as excessive decanting might cause their delicate aromatic complexity to fade.