What should be done after removing the cork from a bottle during the decanting process?

After removing the cork from a bottle during the decanting process, it is essential to clean the inside of the neck. This step is important because the neck of the bottle can accumulate dust, dirt, or wine residues that may affect the clarity and purity of the wine being served. By cleaning the neck, you ensure that any potential contaminants don’t interfere with the wine’s flavor and presentation. This practice also helps to prevent any cork debris from entering the decanter and the final pour into glasses.

The other options involve actions that may not necessarily contribute to enhancing the wine's quality or cleanliness in this stage of the decanting process. Pouring the wine into glasses immediately could introduce particles from the neck of the bottle into the wine. Dusting the decanter is unnecessary at this point since the priority should be on the bottle’s neck. Switching to a different decanter might not be required unless there was a specific issue with the original decanter. Therefore, cleaning the neck first serves a crucial role in maintaining the wine’s integrity during decanting.