Wine Refrigerators - Five Key Factors To Consider
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Interest in wine is at an all time high, as more and more people discover the joy of sharing and enjoying wine. New wine accessories are being introduced continually, taking wine collecting to an art form. Let’s examine some wine storage options, including wine refrigerators and coolers, which are designed to help wine lovers store their bottles in optimal conditions for peak flavor.
If you’re a wine lover and don’t own a wine refrigerator, chances are you will as your wine collections grows. Wine refrigerators are available for any level of collector and at several price points. Before you buy a wine refrigerator, here are five questions you should ask, along with a few pointers to help you choose.
Big, Small, Or In Between?
Chances are, if you’re buying a wine refrigerator, you’re pretty much into wine. There are some obvious considerations relating to the best size for you, the first of which is space consideration. Have a clear plan where you’ll place the unit within your home and where it best fits within your decor. When in doubt, lean toward a larger unit, as most first time buyers tend to see their wine collection quickly outgrow their storage capacities.
Should I Store Reds Or Whites?
There’s absolutely no problem storing red and white wines together, as long as you’re aware of temperature storage needs for each style. In general, reds should be stored at warmer temperatures than whites. So, if you enjoy red wine and white wine and plan to have both on hand, buy a wine refrigerator with dual or multiple zone temperature controls. Doing so allows you enjoy the very best flavor of all your wines.
What About Storage Features?
One feature we really enjoy in our wine refrigerator are the slide out shelves. Slide out shelving makes access and viewing much easier for us and our guests. Another factor are the size of wine bottles you’ll store. Some wineries are bottling their wine in magnum style bottles, which are slightly larger than standard wine bottles. You’ll want to make sure your refrigerator can handle both.
What About Temperature And Humidity?
Proper temperature and humidity levels are crucial in proper wine storage. The best universal temperature for wine storage is 55 degrees. Humidity levels are also important to prevent dried out corks. Remember, cooler temperatures reduce humidity, so keep your wine stored at humidity levels between 50 and 70 percent. Also, consider where you’ll keep your wine refrigerator. If it’s in an area with frequent temperature fluctuations, like a garage, make sure the unit you buy is well insulated to withstand these fluctuations.
Anything Else To Consider?
Expect to pay about $100 for a small six bottle model, and well over $1000 for a unit holding 50+ bottles. If you’re storing your refrigerator in a secluded place in your home, choose function over style. Conversely, if your wine refrigerator will occupy a more prominent place, make sure the unit is quiet enough to live with. Finally, remember that proper wine storage is crucial to enjoying your wine to its fullest potential. Storage at proper temperature keeps a wine fresh, and allows you to enjoy the full bouquet of flavor.
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