If you are a new wine connoisseur, you are probably starting a collection and considering ways to store your favorites. There are many options available. Some are more extensive than others, so depending on your preference, you should consider the following before making a purchase.
Basic wine refrigerators are ideal for short-term storage. Elaborate designs are better for long-term aging. What distinguishes the two? We review the basics below to help you understand the differences.
1. Bottle Capacity
Wine fridge sizing is one of the most important factors to consider when making a purchase. While the size of the unit might be determined by the space you have and where you plan to install the refrigerator, you also need to account for bottle capacity.
Always think about the space you’ll need and then double it. An 18 bottle wine fridge might seem like the perfect size now, but two years from now, it will most likely be too small. Your wine collection is likely to grow over the years. Moreover, most wine refrigerators fit Bordeaux size bottles. Collections with wider bottles like Burgundy and Champagne take up space and lower the capacity.
NewAir AW-180E 18 Bottle Thermoelectric Wine Cooler
Temperature control and maintaining proper humidity levels is vital to proper storage. The ideal temperature is 55 degrees F and relative humidity should be about 70%. To maintain these conditions you need a wine fridge with a thermostat and a humidifier.
2. Interior Design
The best wine coolers have aluminum interiors. This conducts cold and heat better than the plastic that’s often used in less expensive models. Moreover, look for a pebbled or textured lining. This helps maintain humidity inside the unit.
Racking is important to any wine collection. There are single bottle racks and multi-bottle racks. Stacking multiple bottles on top of each other can scratch them and cause labels to peel off. If you’re aging wine and value bottle design and labeling then consider single bottle racks. This type of racking preserves bottle design and labels better.
3. The Type of Shelving
NewAir AW-210ED 21 Bottle Dual Zone Thermoelectric Wine Cooler
Basic wine refrigerators also tend to have fixed chrome wire shelving. Elaborate models use sturdier wood racks or wood-framed wire grids. Look for sliding shelves. This makes it easier to read labels and remove bottles. Also, check to see if the cooler offers removable or adjustable shelving so you can customize the interior to meet your needs. Test the shelves and how they glide to be sure you like the way they feel.
4. Glass or Solid Door
Glass doors allow you to view your wine selection but they don’t provide the insulation a solid door provides. Some glass doors are double-paned to help keep the wine cold and temperatures where they should be. However, there is a chance that they are not well-insulated and your wine collection will suffer.
In comparison, solid doors act more like a refrigerator and keep your collection chilled that much better. That being said, if you like the look of a glass door, as most people do, then make sure it has a UV protective finish since exposure to sunlight can damage the wine.
5. Does it Vibrate?
Hint: If you happen to live in an area where vibration is an ongoing condition, either next to a train station, subway, or in an apartment, wrap your wine in bubble wrap to soften the impact. Vibrations can increase acidity in wine and alter aroma and flavor. Compressor wine refrigerators tend to vibrate some, especially when turning on and off. When shopping for your cooler, look for stabilizing solutions like compressors mounted on rubber blocks and coated racks that grip bottles. Also, consider a thermoelectric cooler. These units are virtually vibration free and allow your wine to rest like it needs to.
6. Security
Look for amenities like door locks and door alarms. The alarm will sound if the door is accidentally left open and a door lock secures your collection so it can’t be accessed unless you’re present.
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