Riedel Cabernet Decanter

Made in Austria by the world's most-renowned wineglass maker (Riedel Crystal, founded in 1756), this decanter allows sediment to settle, clarifying any older red wine. Even with a young, sediment-free wine, the decanter makes a beautiful serving vessel by displaying the wine's color. It's machine blown of brilliant 24 percent lead crystal and conforms to Riedel's exacting standards: colorless, transparent, and thin-walled. It holds 37-1/8 ounces, ample for a 750-milliliter bottle of wine, and measures 9 inches high. Its graceful, outwardly curved neck provides a secure grip when pouring. Riedel crystal is used by fine restaurants all over the world and thus must stand up to frequent trips through a dishwasher. But because lead crystal has a soft, coarse surface to convey intense aromas, Riedel recommends the decanter be hand washed. --Fred Brack