Understanding the Ullo Wine Purifier, with the help of a Somm

peppery! Fried! Floral! Decanter or decanter? To vent or not to vent? Wine comes with its own language, norms and accoutrements that, frankly, can be intimidating. Specific case: I love wine, but I absolutely freeze when a waiter chooses me for the first tasting (the pressure). But at a recent book club — code for wine night — my friend spent the evening refilling our glasses from a gorgeous decanter, and it all felt sophisticated and knowledgeable. So before I left, I offered to host for the next month – and then I ordered momentum Wine purifier + Carafe Üllo Original on the way home.

My next immediate move was to put Scott Taylor, sommelier and beverage director at to Harris in San Francisco, for all perspectives. Besides making you feel super chic, what do wine purifiers and decanters actually do? The bottom line: these accessories really do make a difference—and they’re worth investing in, no matter what kind of wine you are. The Üllo Two-in-One Bundle is on sale for just $100 this week, so now is a great time to upgrade your accessories *and* improve your wine fluency.

Üllo Original Wine Purifier + Carafe — $100.00

Originally $140, on sale for $100

Easy for anyone to use
Made from hand-blown, lead-free crystal, which is ideal as it is non-porous and can prevent sediment from collecting and altering the taste of your wine.
It brings out the wine’s flavor and removes its impurities, such as excess sulfites, which have been linked to increased hangover-like symptoms such as headaches
It is dishwasher safe
It looks totally chic on your table

Price when not on sale
Filters are disposable and can only be used a few times

Cover for using the carafe

Did you know that “carafe” and “decanter” can be used interchangeably? (And just like that, you’re one step closer to being fluent.) “Pouring wine into a decanter or decanter can be a very important step toward optimizing your wine’s potential,” says Taylor. “Aerating the wine (allowing oxygen to enter) can open up the wine, bringing many flavors and aromas to the fore where they may have been masked by things like alcohol, sulfur and bacteria.”

When it comes to the make and model of your decanter, Taylor recommends high-quality clear glass or crystal. “Crystal is suitable for good decanters or decanters because it is non-porous, preventing sediment from building up in the container, which could alter your wine in a negative way,” he says. The Üllo decanter passes the test with its ultra-transparent, artisanal, hand-blown, lead-free crystal.

Wine Purifiers 101

Next lesson plan: purifiers. “A wine purifier removes impurities, along with naturally occurring unwanted substances such as sulfites and histamines,” says Taylor. Sulfites are chemical compounds that show up during the wine fermentation process, he says. These can help preserve wine by preventing it from oxidizing prematurely (which causes it to spoil) and preventing the growth of unwanted bacteria. “Excess levels of sulfites have been attributed to itching, headaches and hangover-like symptoms,” he says. Heavy pass.

Histamines are natural chemicals that your immune system produces, and along with wine, they are found in some common foods such as spinach, eggplant, cheese, nuts and chocolate. While you probably can’t stay away from histamines altogether, it’s a good idea to try to limit your excess consumption, Taylor says.

The Üllo Purifier works on any white, red or rosé using filters that help remove only the artificial sulfite preservatives and none of the natural compounds that make wine taste and smell like, well, wine. The purifier attachment fits easily on any individual wine glass and any of Üllo’s decanters. In addition to its purifying powers, a simple on-off switch gives you the option to selectively aerate your wine.

You may have heard that wine purifiers are the secret to drinking without a hangover. While high levels of sulfites and histamines can lead to unpleasant physical symptoms, Taylor notes that this is unfortunately a myth—alcohol content and dehydration are actually the culprits. So go easy on your consumption and don’t forget to walk with water. As for me, I’ll be at home memorizing my wine lingo, acting out scenarios with an imaginary waiter, and practicing my carafe pours—just in time for book club.