Considerations When Buying a Wine Cooler   by Peter Kaestner

in Food / Wines and Spirits    (submitted 2012-01-25)

The importance of wine coolers

If you are a connoisseur of fine wines or simply enjoy having a drink with friends or a quiet night in, you will want to preserve your wines so that they taste their best. The primary spoilers of wine are dryness, heat and light. Therefore, wines need to be stored in controlled conditions. The temperature will vary according to the type of wine but generally it is a temperature of 55-66F for red wines, 46-57F for dry white wines, and 43-47F for sparkling wines and champagne. Humidity levels need to be regulated so that extremes do not lead to wine evaporation or mold. Ultraviolet light reacts with proteins in the wine and changes its flavour while vibrations, such as those produced by an ordinary fridge, shift the sediments within the bottle, changing its consistency. This is why you need to purchase a wine cooler to ensure that the flavour and consistency of your drink is preserved at its finest and your wine is ready to be served at its optimum temperature.

Size

You may be in the position of having a large home with enough space for a walk-in cellar, but for the majority of us, a wine cooler will be the more practical option. Of course, if you are an avid drinker who likes to age their own wines, you will want to purchase a wine fridge that is capable of holding forty plus bottles. For an occasional drinker, a six to twelve bottle wine chiller may be ample. Those who live in apartments with limited space will also appreciate the option of a wall mounted wine cooler. Whatever option is best suited to your drinking habits, available space and finances, the important thing is to keep your wines in ideal conditions to enjoy their taste at its very best.

Single, dual or multiple temperature control

Each of the various fridges will operate according to a certain type of cooling technology. If you are partial to one type of wine a single temperature cooler will most likely be sufficient for your needs, but for those who like different types of wine or who have family and friends with different tastes, you will need at least a dual temperature cooler or even a multi-temperature fridge. These varieties have different compartments which allow you to store wines at different temperatures, each compartment having its own electric thermostat control. Of course, these wine coolers are much more expensive than smaller ones which only hold one type.

Thermoelectric wine coolers

A cooling system which is gaining in popularity is known as thermoelectric. In this system a fan circulates cold air inside the chiller and pushes out the warm air that is generated. The appeal of a thermoelectric wine cooler is that eco-friendly, energy-efficient, and very importantly for the preservation of your wines, it is vibration-free. The one consideration though is that the room temperature in which it is placed needs to be between 50F and 77F to maintain the desired temperature within the wine fridge.

Making a decision

There are many options available when purchasing a cooler and it is important to first of all consider your needs in terms of space and budget and also your drinking preferences and habits. Also research different wine coolers online and read reviews. This will help you decide on which one is best for you.

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