Wine Refrigerators - Five Questions To Ask Before Buying

Interest in wine is at an all time high, as more and more people discover the joy of sharing and enjoying wine. New wine accessories are being introduced continually, taking wine collecting to an art form. Let's examine some wine storage options, including wine refrigerators and coolers, which are designed to help wine lovers store their bottles in optimal conditions for peak flavor.

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?

Chances are, if you're buying a wine refrigerator, you're pretty much into wine. There are some obvious considerations relating to the best size for you, the first of which is space consideration. Have a clear plan where you'll place the unit within your home and where it best fits within your decor. When in doubt, lean toward a larger unit, as most first time buyers tend to see their wine collection quickly outgrow their storage capacities.

What About Storing Reds And Whites Together?

If your storage needs include both red and white wines, look for a wine refrigerator that features dual or multiple zone temperature controls. This is important, as reds generally should be stored at higher temperatures than whites. If you're going through the trouble of properly storing your wines, be sure to store them at the proper temperature vs. a one size fits all approach.

What About Storage Features?

While we hadn't considered it before our purchase, we really appreciate our wine refrigerator's slide out shelving. Also, we've noticed that wineries are bottling in slightly different sized bottles more frequently in the past. A good question to ask is whether the unit you're considering can store magnum style (slightly larger) bottles.

How About Temperature And Humidity?

Keeping your wine in proper temperature and humidity conditions is the primary reason to own a wine refrigerator. Ideal temperature for wine storage is 55 degrees, and humidity levels should range between 50 and 70 percent to prevent dried out corks. If you're planning to put your refrigerator in the garage, for example, be sure to choose a unit that's well insulated and won't be affected by fluctuating temperatures.

Any Other Tips?

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!

Article Source: http://www.thedrinkingplace.com/articles2

Jim Hofman is an author specializing in wine and beer, and is the owner of several websites devoted to wine travel and enjoyment of wine. You're invited to visit Jim's wine resource site for more tips and recommendations about wine accessories, wine storage, and wine refrigerators.

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