A decanter is a glass vessel used to store and serve wine or spirits and allow them to breathe by exposing them to fresh air. Decanting is the process of pouring wine or spirits from their original bottle into a decanter without disturbing any sediment at the bottom of the bottle. Decanting wine has numerous benefits, including separating the sediment from the liquid, which is especially helpful for red wines that hold the most sediment. Decanting also enhances the wines flavor by allowing it to breathe and absorb oxygen, opening up the aromas and flavors. Similarly, pouring whiskey into a decanter allows the spirit to interact with oxygen and make it easier for more nuanced aromas to bloom. A decanter can also be used to filter and remove any unwanted residue from wine or spirits. The neck of a decanter is typically smaller than the base to allow for as much surface area of the wine or spirit to come in contact with the air as possible.