There’s so much more to Riedel Crystal Wine Decanters than meets the eye. There’s no denying their beauty, but they serve a valuable function as well. Decanting young wines several hours before they are served gives the wine a chance to bloom and attain a stage of development that normally requires years of aging. Decanting old wines, just a few moments before they are served, helps to ensure that the wines' clarity and brilliance are not obscured by any deposit that may have developed over time.