Some people like to collect wine to drink, some like to store it and make personal collections. Everyone who enjoys wine has one thing in common, and that's the place where they will store it. Choosing the right wine cooler is not an easy task, and that's why we made a short guide for you, including what types of wine coolers are there, temperature zones, as well as their advantages and disadvantages. If you're thinking about buying a wine cooler, you might have too much information going through your mind and you won't be able to easily decide on a specific model. That's why we've created a guide to finding the perfect wine cooler for your home.
What Is a Wine Cooler?
First of all, a wine cooler is a refrigeration unit designed to store bottles of wine at the desired temperature, and it also has additional functions to ensure that the best quality wines are stored in desired conditions. In terms of storage, wine refrigerators are the perfect place to store your collection, whether you want to drink it in the near future or store it for a longer period. It's important to note that there is a large number of various sizes so that a display case can be found for every collector
Advantages of Having a Wine Cooler
Wine coolers have many different advantages, from preserving the quality of wine to a design that can enhance your space. The main benefit of buying a wine cooler is the ability to store wine at the correct temperature for use. Serving wine at the right temperature will show the taste, aromas, and body of the wine in the right way. Storing wine in a wine cooler is also a great way to show off your collection, decorating any kitchen and adding a sense of elegance. If you plan to build a collection, a wine cooler is an absolute must. In terms of size, we recommend that you opt for a wine cooler that will accommodate your existing wine collection. When picking a wine cooler you should be planning about 150% of storage space in comparison to the space your collection requires at the moment. And that's the formula for deciding the number of bottles your wine fridge should have. It's a good idea to set your limits and know roughly how many bottles you want to store in advance, as once you choose a wine cooler, its capacity cannot be changed.
Types of Wine Coolers
The type of wine cooler you want to buy will depend on three things: the size and value of your collection, as well as the space you have available. There are three different types of wine coolers – freestanding, undercounter, and built-in. Each of them has certain advantages. We will try to explain some of the differences to you.
Freestanding wine coolers are designed to stand independently from any other elements and are usually in the lower price range than built-in wine refrigerators. They are among the most popular options. Their advantage is that there's no limit to where you will put them and they can have a capacity of six to two hundred bottles.
Undercounter wine coolers are perfect for those who are looking for a tidy wine refrigeration unit and at the same time want to enhance the look of their kitchen. The capacity of the bottles can also be different. However, the luxury they provide may, in some cases, require a higher price in relation to the number of bottles stored.
Built-in wine coolers are similar to undercounter wine coolers. The difference is that when installing them, they must be at least 20 inches from the floor. They definitely represent one of the best options, but they require a place in your kitchen that needs to be planned in advance as you will hardly have it later.
Temperature Zones
Most wine coolers have one or two temperature zones, while only a limited number of models have three temperature zones. Please note that white wines are stored at temperatures of 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, red wines at temperatures of 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, and champagne at 40 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. A wine cooler with one temperature zone is ideal for anyone who likes one type of wine, as you will have the option of only one temperature setting. This is perfect for single-type wine lovers and allows you to maintain a constant serving temperature. A wine cooler with two temperature zones is perfect for people who like variety in their collections because they have the option of two different temperatures in the same refrigerator. Practically you have two wine coolers in one, as the zones are autonomous in their temperatures.
Although dual-zone wine coolers are more expensive than single-zone wine coolers, you have much more flexibility in terms of storage options and temperature. Two zones allow you to keep certain wines at the serving temperature, and bottles that you plan to keep for a while, at the optimal storage temperature.
Prices
As wine coolers can be used to store a lot of expensive wine, they should be treated as an investment. Spending money on expensive bottles of wine but buying a cheap wine cooler is never a good idea. The price of a wine cooler is determined by the capacity and whether it is built-in or not. Our advice for you is to look at how many wines you have in your collection, whether you drink more wine or store it, and how you get along with the space. Within these factors, you will find your ideal wine display case. If you've spent time and money investing in your wine collection and still don't have a suitable wine cooler, it's definitely time to think about it.
Which Characteristics Should You Pay Attention To?
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The glass on the door is vacuum-sealed and resistant to UV rays. The reason for this is to protect the wine from UV rays, in direct contact with the sunlight.
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Controlling the humidity of the air inside the display case enables the management of the amount of moisture in the display case, preserving the cork, which is important for the quality storage of the bottle.
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Vibrations. There is a system in the wine cooler to minimize vibrations and stop any effect on the color, taste, or body of the wine.
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Digital display for easier use.
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Reversible door for greater flexibility in positioning the wine cooler.
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Adjustable shelves provide storage flexibility. Most wines will fit you in the standard Bordeaux bottle racks. But if you have adjustable shelves, it will allow you to store different bottles.
Finding the right wine cooler for your individual needs can be a process, but we hope this article has made it easier. Whether you're looking for a large freestanding unit for collections or a small fridge to store a few bottles, it's important to know what you're looking for. We have wine coolers to fit any budget and can help you find the perfect one for your collection. If you would like to find out more about any of the wine coolers we have for sale, please do not hesitate to contact us at Town Appliance.
