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.
What Size Is Best?
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.
Should I Store Reds Or Whites?
Feel free to store both your red and white wines, but be aware there are storage temperature differences between the two. In essence, reds are normally stored at higher temperature than whites. If you enjoy and store both red and white wine, consider buying a wine refrigerator with dual zone temperature controls. This will ensure your wine is stored at the proper temperature.
What Storage Features Should I Look For?
Our wine refrigerator features slide out shelving, making it extremely convenient to access our bottle choice. We hadn’t thought of this feature as being important, but it’s recommended. Also, make sure your unit can store magnum sized bottles. Some wineries bottle their wine in larger than standard bottles, which are normally about 3.5 inches wide. It’s worth checking to see if your chosen unit can handle slightly larger bottles.
What Should I Do 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?
Of course, the price of your wine refrigerator will depend upon your storage needs and desired features. Small countertop units cost as little as $75, while large units run well into the thousands. We also recommend choosing a unit that’s well rated for minimal noise and vibration. The most important factor to remember is that proper wine storage is crucial to optimal enjoyment of your wine. Make sure your wine refrigerator suits your needs in terms of features and space requirements, and allows for the ongoing growth of your wine collection. Cheers!