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DIY Guide: How to Get Rid of Wine Sediment (3 Simple Hacks)

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People emptied entire bottles of wine down the sink because they assumed the wine had gone bad. You need to know some DIY hacks on how to get rid of wine sediment before discarding the wine.

The three best DIY hacks to get rid of wine sediment are – using a small kitchen leaf tea sieve to decant the wine through by using an unbleached coffee filter to decant the wine through and using a phone light, candle, or torchlight from underneath the bottle while decanting to see the sediment.

Sediment or crystals in wine is not a rare occurrence; however, it is common in wines of very high quality or wines aged for over ten years. It’s not harmful but can be unpleasant so let’s look at why your wine has sediment and the DIY methods that work.

How to Get Rid of Wine Sediment
How to Get Rid of Wine Sediment

TIP: If you want to check out the best refrigerator for wine storage, I recommend trying out the Avation (18 bottles) compressor refrigerator with Wi-fi smart app control cooling system. You can find this refrigerator by clicking here (Amazon link).

Is Sediment in Wine a Good Thing?

Contrary to what your eyes and brain may tell you about sediment in your wine bottle or unidentified crystals in your wine glass, they are usually a good sign. Wine sediment has many names and can appear differently in white and red wines. 

The sediment is referred to as dregs, wine diamonds, crystals, dead lees, or floaters. The sediment is harmless to the wine and you. Most of the sediment created in the winemaking process is typically filtered out when bottling the wine. 

You will find less sediment in red wines that are over ten years old. The sediment results from the wine fermenting and typically settles at the bottom of the wine. If the red wine bottle is stored on its side, you’ll find the sediment along the length of the neck. 

Many wine drinkers who know about the sediment will leave a small amount of wine in the bottom of the bottle that is not consumed so that the majority of the sediment stays behind. Even if the wine does not look “clean” or appetizing, it reveals a secret about how it was made, which is a good thing.

TIP: This great article explains how to store wine with a cork. Do you know that there are 8 ways to store wine without a cork? Read this interesting article to find out how!

Recommendation box: Everything you need to enjoy your wine as much as possible. All recommended products are personally tested and regularly used by experts from this website (Amazon links):

> Ivation Wine Cooler Energy-efficient wine cooler for 18 bottles with Wi-fi smart app control cooling system.
> Wine RackBeautiful, elegant wood rack for up to 7 bottles and the choice of vertical or horizontal storage.
> Durand Wine OpenerClassic vintage wine opener (we like all these classic staff).
> YouYah Iceberg Wine DecanterThe most beautiful and handy wine decanter we personally use.
> Bormioli Rocco Wine GlassesA set of eight elegant and traditional wine glasses made in Italy.
> Vintorio Wine AeratorSimple but really useful wine aerator for a reasonable price.
> The Original Vacu Vin Wine SaverThe best wine saver on the market in a package with two vacuum stoppers and two wine servers.

And if you want to become a true connoisseur of wine, we recommend reading the book Wine Folly: The Essential Guide to Wine (Amazon link), where you will find all the information you need about winemaking, wine varieties, flavors, and much more.

Why Does My Wine Have So Much Sediment?

You may encounter different types and sediment levels depending on the type of wine you are consuming. Usually, wines that have been standing in bottles for several years may have more sediment. It is also more prolific in red wines than rosé and white wines. 

After the fermentation process of new wine, the excess particles and lees will have fallen away, and once the winemaker racks the new wine, there might be small particles remaining. Some winemakers prefer to have as little as possible interference with the fermenting and when the wine is racked. 

Only microscopic biological solids remain and become larger as the wine ages. 

Reasons Why Red Wine Contains Sediment:

  • The red wine is of very high quality and has stood for more than ten years. Wines that are produced to age for long will almost certainly have sediment.
  • The winemaking process had very little human interference
  • The winemaker did not over filter the wine before bottling
  • The lees in the wine indicate a high-quality grape used in the process
  • The wineries do not typically stabilize red wines

Reasons Why White Wine Contains Wine Crystals:

Why Does White Wine Contains Wine Crystals
Why Does White Wine Contains Wine Crystals
  • Winemakers only use the juice and pulp, not the grape skins, to make white wine.
  • Like the rosé, white wines are stabilized and create less sediment but form crystals due to the tartaric acid. 
  • White and rosé wines are stored at room temperature but are typically chilled before serving. When cooled for prolonged periods, the sediment forms crystals because tartaric acid becomes crystals. 
  • Tartrate crystals in white or rosé wines typically indicate a very high-quality product. 

Having a little sediment in the last sip of wine is not too different from the coffee grinds that often accompany a cappuccino or espresso. If you know what to expect, it’s not a surprise, but if you aren’t used to drinking a non-stabilized wine, it takes a bit to get used to. 

The sediment will not change the taste or aroma of the wine.

TIP: To learn how to store white wine after opening, read this article. To discover if wine fridges are only for storing white wine, read this complete guide.

How to Get Rid of Wine Sediment

Hack #1

You can try this DIY hack in most kitchens and with any red or white wine. If there is excessive sludge or buildup of sediment and you don’t want to waste a drop of the expensive wine, here’s what to do:

  • Take an unbleached coffee filter – the better quality type will be a thick paper and off-white color. Its crucial not to use the white, bleached filters as the compounds will interact with the wine as it runs through into the carafe. 
  • Open the coffee filter and place it firmly into the neck of the carafe.
  • Stabilize the carafe and filter by placing your free hand around the neck and filter simultaneously. 
  • Pour the white or red wine through the filter into the carafe, pausing often so that the filter doesn’t tear. 
  • Take care to pour the last bit of wine slowly so that the sediment, sludge, or wine crystals do not get forced through the filter. 
  • Let it drip through for a few seconds then gently remove the filter and discard.
  • Enjoy the sediment-free wine immediately.  

TIP: Discover how to store wine long-term in 8 simple steps here. This article explores 5 proven steps for disposing of old unopened wine and bottles – don’t miss it!

Hack #2 

This next DIY method is a kitchen-friendly use-anywhere style hack. If you buy a wine that has signs of floating sediment, white wine crystals, or sediment, you can use the following kitchen tool to decant through. 

  • Take a plastic tea sieve – the type used to pour leaf tea through – and disinfect it in a container with boiling water for 5 minutes.
  • Take it out and let it cool down.
  • Open or de-cork the bottle of wine.
  • Position the sieve over the carafe or a wine glass.
  • Pour the wine and if you capture sediment or crystals, discard it—clean and dry the sieve before pouring the next glass. 

TIP: If you are interested in buying a wine decanter, I recommend purchasing these two top-quality decanters:

Hack #3

This DIY hack will require a little more finesse and practice. Start by gently removing a bottle of red wine from the cellar or storage shelf. Do not shake the bottle. Keep the bottle at 45 degrees and uncork it while resting it on a table or other surface. 

  • Using a phone flashlight or candlelight, shine the light from underneath the neck of the bottle and locate the sediment pocket.
  • Position the carafe at an opposite 45-degree angle and slowly pour the wine from the bottle.
  • Avoid pouring the wine too fast, or it will froth and foam.
  • As soon as the majority of sediment reaches the neck of the bottle, that indicates you have decanted the clean wine. 
  • Leave the little bit of wine in the bottle. 
  • Take care not to bring the bottle too close to the candlelight as it can heat the wine.

TIP: Most wines go bad once you pop the cork within a day or so. But a Coravin Wine Preservation system (available for a great price on Amazon) can extend the life of your opened wine for weeks or even months. It is awesome. You should check it out to see if it fits your lifestyle.

Conclusion

It is simple to get rid of sediment, sludge, or wine crystals; by applying any of these DIY hacks, you can save as much wine as possible. 

Typically, it will be the more expensive, long-aging wines present with sediment, so you can rest assured that the sediment indicates top-quality wines. There is no need to lose even half a glass when you can remedy the situation. 

TIP: Check out this page for a complete list of wine products and accessories I love. You’ll find my recommendations for wine refrigerators, decanters, and aerators and the best place to buy wine online. Click here to see the complete listing.