Can Wine Stored In A Lead Crystal Decanter Become Poisonous?

[ralph124c]

We got a beatiful cut-crystal decanter as a Christmas present. I would like to use it (to store wine). However, I remeber seeing a report (a few years ago, from France). A French chemist reported that wine could leach lead from crystal-and storing a moderately acidic wine could result in quite a lethal dose of lead accumulating in the wine.
So, should I just use the decanter as a vase? Also, is it wise to use Waterford cystal glasses forwine? (Now I know why my mother NEVER uses her Waterford crystal-her glasses are alwys locked upin her china cabinet)!

[Ponder Stibbons]

Well, here's the thing. You don't store wine in a decanter. That's not what it is meant for. A decanter is meant to be used a serving vessel for a nice meal. You pour your bottle of (red) wine into the decanter about a half-hour before you eat (so the wine can "breathe") and then you use it all up during the course of a meal. After which you carefully clean and put away the decanter. For such short uses, even a lead crystal decanter is safe. At least, that's what I've heard, but IANA doctor so you might want to keep that wine away from children -- which you should do anyway!

Now, if you were foolish enough to store a liquid in that decanter for, say, several years, then dangerous amounts of lead could well leach into that liquid.

[Phlosphr]

yes, what Ponder said.