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.
Big, Small, Or In Between? 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? 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 Factors Should I Consider? 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. How 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. What Else Do I Need To Know? 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.
Jim Hofman is an author specializing in wine and beer, and has developed several websites devoted to wine travel and enjoyment of wine. You're invited to visit Jim's wine resource site for more insight and recommendations about wine accessories, wine storage, and wine refrigerators.
