If your restaurant or bar serves wine, you'll need to consider wine carafes pricing and costs. There are several reasons to use wine carafes. Any wine may be decanted when you don't wish to serve customers a full bottle. Old wines must be decanted to keep sediments in the bottle and away from the drinking glass. Even young wines benefit from decanters; wide bottomed decanters allow the wine's aroma to properly release.

There is a wide variety of wine carafes to choose from. Which you choose depends entirely on the type of restaurant or bar you run and what your budget is. When choosing carafes, consider the following three basic types:

1. Practical plastic wine carafe products

2. Simple but classy glassware wine carafes

3. Stunning glass and crystal wine carafe decanter products

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Pick commercial plastic wine carafes

Some wine carafes are plastic--usually polycarbonate. Although they are difficult to break, they may need to be replaced frequently due to scratching. A polycarbonate carafe for wine, holding about 1 liter, generally sells for roughly $5 to $7.

I recommend: Galasource Ventures sells wholesale plastic carafes of several types. Instawares Restaurant Supply also offers a variety of plastic carafes in a many sizes for the restaurant and bar trade.

Purchase a restaurant wine carafe of glass

Glass carafes add more class to your restaurant or bar and generally last longer than plastic. They are also easier to clean since they won't scratch. Simple glass 1 liter carafes cost about $5 to $7 apiece.

I recommend: The Restaurant Source has a nice selection of glass carafes in 1/2 liter to 1 liter sizes. Mission Restaurant Supply also carries many wine carafes in several sizes.

Select high-end wine carafe and decanter products

Going beyond the usual can make dining at your restaurant or bar a more memorable experience. Crystal swan carafes (wine decanters with long necks) sell for about $150 to $200. The RoJaus Wine Decanter pours and filters wine with the push of a lever and costs about $150 to $180. A simple but less typical crystal pitcher-style carafe is about $150 to $170.

I recommend: BarWare.com sells simple but breathtaking crystal swan carafes and decanters. WineStuff.com and Wine Enthusiast both carry unusual wine carafes, including The RoJaus Decanter and other crystal decanters.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  To carafe wine that is young and red, splash it into the decanter, then let it rest for a few minutes. Older wines with sediment should stand upright in their bottle for a few hours; then, with a bright lamp near the bottle so you can easily see the sediment, slowly pour the wine into a decanter, watching carefully to make sure the sediment never reaches the opening of the bottle.

Any restaurant that serves wine should keep glassware wine carafes on hand, for serving both red and white wines. Not only do wine carafes add a touch of elegance to a table setting, but they also help control liquor costs. Plus, it's easier to up sell a carafe of wine to table than a whole bottle, further increasing profits.

A wine carafe is a tall pitcher with a narrow neck and wide base. Also known as wine decanters, wine carafes are not just a pretty serving piece. Their design is intended to enhance the flavor of wines, by aerating the wine as it is poured into the wine decanter from the bottle. True wine connoisseurs will appreciate the beauty and function of a wine carafe.

Glassware wine carafes:

1. Come in a variety of sizes and styles.
2. Are available in several price ranges.
3. Work well with most restaurant decor.

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Buy a restaurant wine carafe that will last

There are many beautiful wine carafes on the market that feature hand-painted glass and delicate designs. While these may look great in your restaurant, a wine carafe designed for home use will not hold up to the rigors of a busy restaurant. It is best to stick with commercial wine carafes that can be run through a restaurant dishwasher without breaking or chipping.

I recommend: Gala Source is a leading manufacturer of restaurant glassware that carries a restaurant wine carafe line of glassware guaranteed to hold up to the heavy use of a busy restaurant. RestaurantSource has a good selection of wine decanters for restaurant use, and even has financing available.

Decide what size wine carafe will work best in your restaurant

Some wine carafes are designed to hold as much as a bottle of wine. Before you buy, decide what size carafe will best suit your pricing. Do you want a restaurant wine carafe that will hold 2 glasses, 4 glasses or 6 glasses of wine?

I recommend: Instawares carries various wine carafe sizes, including full and half liter carafes in classic designs. WineEnthusiast sells multiple wine decanter designs, along with accessories.

Select wine carafes that will 'wow' your guests

Even if you can't have the delicate hand-blown glass carafes made in tiny European villages for your restaurant, you can still purchase beautiful wine carafes that will impress restaurant guests. Look for wine carafes with sleek modern designs, such as extra wide bases and colored glass. They are both durable and beautiful and a lot easier on the budget than artisan wine carafes.

I recommend: WineStuff.com and Barware.com both carry beautiful wine carafes that will impress your guests.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't buy plastic wine carafes. It is like serving wine in a plastic cup. It just shouldn't be done. Stick with traditional glass wine decanters.

Wine carafes can play a multitude of roles at your event or establishment. They can be functional, yet appealing to the eye at the same time. It is important to consider what you need out of your wine decanter when searching wine carafes types and styles. Will your servers be leaving them on the tables? Will they be part of the decor? Do you need them just to transport wine to and from the tables?

Before purchasing your wine decanters, it is important to identify the many wine carafes types and styles to asses which is most suitable for your purposes. Consider the following types and styles:

1. Upscale wine carafes are appropriate for a fancy event or establishment.

2. Inexpensive, plastic wine decanters are a good fit for a casual restaurant or event.

3. There are many unique wine carafes types and styles that can be used as part of the decor.

Action Steps
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Buy an upscale carafe for wine

Depending on the style of your establishment, or perhaps a particular event, you may need a fancy wine carafe to fit with an upscale environment. These carafes are often made of crystal and cost more than an average wine decanter. Another element that can make a wine carafe more upscale is an intricate design or pattern etched or painted on the carafe.

I recommend: Wine Accessories Unlimited carries premium crystal wine carafes. Before the Wine has unique, hand-painted decanters.

Try inexpensive wine decanters

If your restaurant wine carafe is purely functional, consider purchasing inexpensive, possibly even plastic, wine carafes. This will save you money as well as keep you practical. If one of these decanters breaks or is lost, you won't be out much money and can afford to have extras on hand. It is possible, too, that if your establishment or event is on the casual side, that inexpensive wine carafes types and styles are appropriate to be left on the tables as well.

I recommend: Instawares offers a case of six plastic, one liter carafes with lids for a fraction of the cost of what crystal decanters cost. Bar Supply Warehouse carries a simple, inexpensive wine carafe.

Try wine carafes of various shapes and sizes

Perhaps your wine carafes are going to be on a shelf at the bar or on display at your event. In these cases, you may benefit from unique wine carafes of various shapes and sizes. Some of these eye-appealing glassware wine carafes are even more functional for preserving the wine so they can serve a dual purpose. Also, consider how much wine you will need each of your decanters to hold. Many hold at least one full bottle of wine.

I recommend: Wine Enthusiast has many unique shapes, such as a globe, and wine carafes sizes. Decanters.com has some carafes that stand upright, as well as some that are stationed on their side.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  You may need to purchase several wine carafes types and styles to fit all of your wine needs. You may need inexpensive carafes for your outdoor events, yet unique carafes to decorate your bar on the inside of your restaurant. Seek out suppliers that carry both.