Wine Refrigerators - Five Tips To Help You Choose
With the ever increasing interest in wine, more and more people are seeking the best accessories to go along with their wine collections. State of the art “wine centers” are becoming integral aspects of stylish home decor, as wine lovers move beyond functional to an emphasis on presentation.
Wine refrigerators are quickly becoming the preferred storage method for wine collectors. There are multiple styles and sizes available, and at price points from less than $100 to several thousand dollars. Let’s look at a few key questions to ask before you make your purchase.
How Large?
The best advice we can give in terms of what size wine refrigerator to buy is this: when in doubt, go larger. Here’s why … if you’re considering buying a wine refrigerator, let’s face it, you’re into wine. Many first time buyers quickly outgrow their wine storage capacity, so plan ahead. As you learn more about wine and try new styles, you’ll tend to stock up more. That’s exactly what happened to us as we discovered some fantastic finds on our U.S. wine trails excursions.
Are There Differences In Storing Red vs. White Wine?
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 Storage Features Should I Look For?
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?
The most important aspect of wine storage is temperature and humidity. Ideal wine storage temperature is 55 degrees, and ideal humidity percentage is between 50 and 70. You’ll also need to consider where you’re going to place your wine refrigerator. For example, if you’ll place your unit in the garage, make sure the wine refrigerator is well insulated so that fluctuating temperatures don’t adversely affect wine storage conditions.
Anything Else To Consider?
First, on price … expect to pay about $100 for a small model that will hold six bottles. If you want a full wine center, complete with wine refrigerator, storage for wine accessories, etc. then expect to pay over $1000, just as you would for a stylish piece of furniture. Another key aspect of wine refrigerators is a minimal noise level. Be sure to look for a model that’s noted as being quiet and non vibrating. Remember, storing your wine in the best possible conditions is key to full enjoyment of your wine, both for you and your guests.