# Can Wine Stored In A Lead Crystal Decanter Become Poisonous? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 8, 2004, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-wine-stored-in-a-lead-crystal-decanter-become-poisonous/223424 "2004-01-08T14:57:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-wine-stored-in-a-lead-crystal-decanter-become-poisonous/223424/1 "2004-01-08T14:57:28Z")
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)! ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-wine-stored-in-a-lead-crystal-decanter-become-poisonous/223424/2 "2004-01-08T15:18:30Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-wine-stored-in-a-lead-crystal-decanter-become-poisonous/223424/3 "2004-01-08T15:35:44Z")
yes, what **Ponder** said.