Decanting is the process that

• A. Removes sediment from the wine and allows the wine to breathe
• B. The process of pouring the wine from its bottle into a carafe
• C. A natural compound from the grape skins
• D. The year the grapes were harvested

Answer: (A)

Decanting involves transferring wine from the bottle into a decanter to separate sediment from the liquid and to expose the wine to air so it can open up. This is especially useful for older wines that have formed sediment, since pouring into a decanter leaves the sediment behind while the clear wine stays accessible. At the same time, letting the wine breathe by increasing contact with air helps volatile aromas emerge and can soften tannins, improving aroma and flavor. That combination—removing sediment and allowing the wine to breathe—is why this description fits best. Pouring into a carafe is part of the action, but the core purpose is sediment separation and aeration. The other options describe a chemical compound from grape skins or the vintage year, which are unrelated to decanting.