Decanters

I see decanters basically serving three processes with regards to wine:

allow oxidation 2.) providing a vessel into which wine is poured to separate out sediment 3.) providing a vessel from which wine is poured, other than the bottle

Starting with #3, and working backward on my list, another clean bottle will work, but if you want a "presentation factor," then it's up to you - a carafe to an ornate crystal decanter with carriage-tilt mechanism is called for. The variations are endless. For #2, a clean bottle, all the way up to the crystal decanter work. A good funnel, a steady hand, and a pinpoint light source are also good. For #1, the "ship's" decanter works well. Some like the "duck" which rather resembles a reclining foul. Both of these provide a good amount probably the most important part of the operation. Only caveat that I have, is to make sure that the device is easy to handle and to pour. I have some very wide bottomed, ship's decanters, that are just a pain to pour from. Great wine

With other alcoholic beverages, there is the storage aspect, but wine is usually NOT "stored" in a decanter, with Port-Madeiria-Sherry (some) being a possible exception. It's all really about your "style" and what it is, that you wish to achieve. Just make sure that you can easily get the wine out and into your's and other's glbuttes, once you have decanted-carafed SP? it.