Here’s why every connoisseur needs an eto Wine Decanter
Whether you’re a Barolo buff or mad for a Muscatel, this award-winning, wine-preserving decanter is a must-buy to save and savour every bottle’s last drop…
Words: Jonathan Wells
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There are certain instruments and implements, found around only the most gadget-packed kitchens, that will ensure every Christmas dinner party runs smoothly. Utensils like the electric carving knife, which makes short, sharp work of even the biggest turkey. Or an electric plate warmer, to keep all your sides at their sizzling best. Even an electric corkscrew, if that last bottle of Bordeaux has a particularly stuck-in stopper.
The world of wine, in fact, is ripe territory for such state-of-the-art systems and devices. And perhaps the most worthwhile bit of oenophile kit is this; the eto Wine Decanter. Devised by award-winning British designer, inventor and wine lover, Tom Cotton, back in 2012, the groundbreaking air-displacing decanter was five years in the making — which sounds like a reason to uncork a bottle or two.
And, thanks to Cotton’s creation, you can do so with impunity. A Riesling here, a Rioja there — open any bottle that takes your fancy. And, once you’ve enjoyed a glass or two, you can prevent any wasted wine using the eto decanter. It works by sealing away any air, which slows oxidisation and preserves the wine when the decanter is closed. And, when you do decide to decant some more, the long funnel reawakens every subtle note and aroma before it hits the bottom of your glass.
This flair for flavour-enhancement has even had the approval of research scientists. After undergoing independent assessments and analyses at Bangor University, as well as blind taste tests with ‘Masters of Wine’, the eto decanter earned a stamp of approval in the preservation of both white and red wines.
But it’s as much about form as it is function — and the sleek look of the eto decanter makes for a handsome centrepiece at any dinner party. It was this design-led development that proved the turning point for Tom Cotton, revealing a practical concept that also looked the decorative part.
And the decanter’s functional touches are evident across the collection. In finishes from mirror to satin, and colours from copper to gold, the stainless metal neck secures to the base made from borosilicate glass to ensure your wine is both secure and safe to drink. A simple yet clever design, the size of the decanter ideally fits inside a standard fridge door, keeping your wine cool until it is time to serve. And that curved lip ensures drip-free pouring — so your hosting credentials never come into question.
There is also the opportunity to personalise your decanter — perfect for presents, or just for adding another level of polish to your dinner party mastery. Engraved by skilled artisans, it’s a subtle-yet-stylish way to enhance whichever table you sit down at this festive season, and even comes packaged in a handsome gift box if you’re bringing it along as a gift for friends or family.
And there’s even a new addition to the range for Christmas 2022; the ‘Limited Edition Graphite steel satin eto’. With its charming charcoal colour and brushed texture, it’s a cooler spin on the style — and will complement many materials, whether that be a marble kitchen counter or a stainless steel drinks cabinet.
“From the outset,” says Cotton, “it has always been my desire to introduce a contemporary black eto to the collection, echoing our customers’ recent desire for a new darker finish. With design playing such an important role in the eto story, any new finish we introduce is carefully tested and considered. The ‘Graphite’ finish incorporates a new technique to create this wonderfully smooth yet dark finish, with the quality we are recognised for”.
But, while these looks will undoubtedly impress, it’s the decanter’s capacity for sustainability that will really get conversation flowing. Because, whether you’re partial to a world-beating Barolo or just a supermarket Chardonnay, using one of eto’s incredible decanters will help keep Britain’s wine wastage at bay.
Here, in the UK, an estimated 50 million litres of the good stuff gets poured away every year. That’s over 6.6 million bottles of wine. It also equates to £270 million worth of waste, according to the UK’s Waste and Resources Action Programme, Down the Drain. So, for just £139, surely it makes sense to invest in a piece of grape-saving gear — and a stylish piece of kitchenware to boot. Take a look…
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