What is the primary purpose of decanting wine?

The primary purpose of decanting wine is to aerate the wine and separate it from sediment. When wine is stored for extended periods, especially red wines, sediment can form at the bottom of the bottle. Decanting involves pouring the wine from the bottle into a decanter, which allows for the wine to mix with air. This exposure to oxygen helps to enhance the wine's aromas and flavors, allowing the wine to express itself more fully. Furthermore, as you pour, this process effectively retains sediment in the original bottle, ensuring a clearer pour and a better tasting experience without any gritty texture from the sediment.

While the other options may relate to wine service in other ways, they do not capture the main intent of decanting. Quick cooling or warming of wine typically involves methods such as ice baths or warm water baths, rather than decanting. Mixing in additional flavors is not a purpose related to decanting but may refer to other processes like blending or cocktail preparation, which are not applicable here.