If you’re a wine enthusiast then a wine cooler is a worthy investment to make. Wine coolers are specially designed appliance used to keep wine stored at perfect temperatures but there are several factors to consider before choosing the best one for you.
This handy guide will provide useful information about wine coolers, so you can make a confident purchase decision.
WINE COOLER TYPES
Before making the final decision, you’ll need to consider whether you want a freestanding, built-in or an integrated model. This will depend on where you want to put your wine cooler and how much space you have.
Freestanding
This type of wine cooler is widely available and the cheapest type and you can put them anywhere in your house. This design is capable of having a taller and wider dimension than built-in model so they are able to offer more capacity.
Built-in
These have the upper hand of providing a seamless and stylish finished to a kitchen. They are generally more expensive than freestanding models. Their standardised design does mean that its bottle capacity can be limited. Therefore, if you love to collect wine, a built-in wine cooler probably isn’t for you.
SIZE
Wine Coolers vary in size and can fit anywhere between 6 and 140 bottles. Upright freestanding models are perfect for larger kitchens while under counter or built-in models fit in smaller spaces. The size and capacity solely depends on how much wine you’re planning on storing and how much you space have available.
TEMPERATURE ZONES
If you like to drink both reds and whites equally then you need to consider whether you want a single or dual temperature zone wine cooler. This also depends on what you’re using your wine cooler for: storage, serving or both.
Single-temperature zone
For those who just enjoy one type of wine (just reds or just whites) and want to store your bottles at perfect serving temperature, then a single zone wine cooler is the choice for you. This type is also ideal if you are just using your wine cooler as storage.
Dual-temperature zone
Alternatively, for those who like to drink reds and whites, then you will want a dual-temperature zone wine cooler. These are generally more expensive however its dual-temperature zone gives you greater flexibility for storing both red and white wines.
EXTRA FEATURES
UV-resistant glass doors
A must have feature if you want to protect your wines. The protective glass on the cooler limits the damaging effects of UV rays on your wine. Glass doors are also more stylish than a solid door and they allow you show off your wine collection.
Humidity controls
Wine is very sensitive to low levels of humidity and it can lead to drying out the cork if exposed for an extended period. This can result in air going into the bottle and ruin your precious wine. Having humidity controls allows you to manage the amount of moisture in the air inside your cooler to prevent this from happening.
Anti-vibration system
Wines have small amount of sediment in each bottle and if your wine is moved too often, that sediment can become agitated. An Anti-vibration system ensures that your wines are stored correctly with minimal to no vibrations which could possible affect the taste of the wine.
Reversible door
Just like your standard refrigerator, reversible doors provide you with more choice when positioning your wine cooler around your home.
Charcoal air filter
The charcoal air filter prevents odour from affecting the taste of your wine by filtering the air that enters your appliance. This also helps reduce the build of up dust in the interior. It is recommended that these filters are replaced every 6-12 months.
Energy rating
Wine coolers have an energy rating from A – G, with an A rating being the highest and most efficient. So the less you spend on operating your wine cooler, the more wine you can enjoy. Check out our blog for a guide to new energy ratings.
FAQs
Wine Coolers have been around for many numbers of years and they are constantly changing with more features. That’s why it can get quite confusing and you might have some questions. Here are just a few common questions answered.
Why it is important to serve wine at the correct temperature?
Serving wine at the correct temperature can greatly improve its flavour. A wine cooler will allow you to have your wine at the right serving temperature 24/7 so you can simply just take them off the shelf and drink immediately.
Can I move the shelves around?
Most wine coolers are made to fit the standard Bordeaux bottles however; some wine coolers are equipped with adjustable shelves so you can fit unconventional sized bottles like a Burgundy or Champagne for those special occasions.
Where shall I put my wine cooler?
The answer totally depends on which type of wine cooler you’re going for and how much space there is available. For a rule of thumb, your wine cooler should be placed on a hard, flat and stable surface for the best results. Keep your wine cooler out of direct sunlight and in a room where the temperature is table in order for it to run efficiently.
