Why Choose A Wine Cooler

Wine coolers are a great addition to any wine-lovers appliance collection - but what are the benefits of using a wine cooler? And how do you know what to look out for when choosing a wine cooler?

Keep reading to learn more about wine coolers, what they do, how they can help you, and how to choose one.

 

What Is A Wine Cooler?

A wine cooler is essentially a space in which wine is kept cool. It’s a refrigeration unit that stores bottles of wine - this can be done to keep the wine fresh and well preserved and to ensure each sip is refreshing.

Wine coolers are by far the best place to keep your wine collection in - whether you just want to store your bottles there or get the bottles ready for serving.

You’ll find that wine coolers come in different shapes and sizes - so you’re sure to find a wine cooler suitable for your needs.

Most coolers are equipped to hold standards 750ml bottles of wine, but most fridges can accommodate various different sized bottles.

For larger bottles such as Champagne or Prosecco, you may be able to remove shelves to fit them.

A wine cooler is also a type of refreshing beverage - however, this isn’t the type of wine cooler we’ll be talking about today.

 

Why Choose A Wine Cooler?

There are many benefits to owning a wine cooler - the main benefit being that your wine will taste and look fantastic.

Wine has an optimal taste, and this quality taste can be achieved by storing the wine at the correct service temperature.

Each wine has its own ideal storage conditions. Red wine should be stored at a higher temperature than white wine. Wine coolers vary in temperature ranges but most models have a temperature range of between 5-20˚C

Serving wine at the right temperature will bring out the right flavours, aromas, and textures when drinking wine, which is something that any wine lover will be able to notice.

If you are a wine lover, or just have a wine collection for guests or dinner parties, then a wine cooler is essential.

Not only would a wine cooler look great in your home and display your wines perfectly, but it will also ensure your guests that your wine will be top quality (even if it isn’t!).

Wine coolers come in all shapes, sizes, and designs, so you’re sure to find the perfect wine cooler to match your living room, kitchen, or dining room.

Many wines improve as they age, and with a wine cooler, your wine is sure to last much longer than it would without.

 

How Do I Choose a Wine Cooler?

Choosing a wine cooler can be overwhelming, as there are so many options out there - different designs, different shapes and sizes, different colours, different temperatures zones, and different brands.

Thankfully, we’re here to help guide you through the purchasing process.

Before you start shopping for wine coolers, it’s important that you know how much storage space you’ll need, and how big the wine cooler will need to be.

Ask yourself how many wine bottles you usually have at one time, where your wine cooler will be stored, and what your price range is.

 

Design

There are three main types of wine coolers - freestanding wine coolers, fully integrated wine coolers, and built-in wine coolers.

 

Freestanding Wine Coolers

The key to freestanding wine coolers is in the name - this type of wine cooler is specially designed to freely stand alone, instead of fitted into your kitchen.

Freestanding wine coolers are great at mimicking wine cellars if you want to store and preserve your wine collection for longer periods.

You mustn’t use freestanding wine coolers as built-in coolers, as overheating can be an issue.

With freestanding wine coolers, the heat exits from the rear of the unit where the cooler air is also drawn in - so warm air won’t be able to escape the unit.

If freestanding wine coolers are stored in the wrong place, it can be dangerous and could even be a fire hazard.

The best way to store a freestanding wine cooler is by leaving 2 or 3 inches around each side of the unit and leave space above the unit for the air to flow freely and to prevent overheating.

Click here to learn more about how many bottles a freestanding wine cooler can hold. 

 

Fully Integrated Wine Coolers

Fully integrated wine coolers are great for fitting into cabinet space or nooks of your kitchen or dining room.

This type of wine cooler is designed to be incorporated into your kitchen design, to ensure that the airflow is correct and overheating doesn’t occur.

The warm air exits at the rear of the cabinet, like with freestanding wine coolers.

A fully integrated wine cooler is sure to fit in with your kitchen or dining room, and create a seamless, professional look - as well as storing your wines effectively, of course!

 

Built-in Wine Coolers

Built-in wine coolers are generally stored under counters as most designs fit perfectly under most countertops. This type of wine cooler needs about 0.5cm around the sides of the cooler for maximum airflow.

The vents are built around the front of the unit, and the fans are directly underneath to bring the cool air in and release the warm air out of the sides.

Built-in wine coolers are the best option for committed wine lovers, as they can store over 200 bottles of wine.

This is perfect for both storing wine on a long term basis, and storing wine before serving.

 

Temperature Zones

Something else to look out for when purchasing a wine cooler is the different temperature zones.

When shopping for wine coolers, you’ll notice that most of them either have single or dual temperature zones - and some high-end coolers may even offer 3 separate temperature zones for different occasions.

 

Single Temperature Zone

Wine coolers that have a single temperature zone are generally more affordable.

They’re perfect if you only want to store one type of wine, as there’s only one temperature setting throughout the whole unit.

This enables you to keep your wine fresh and preserved for longer and keeps the serving temperature consistent.

 

Dual Temperature Zone

Wine coolers that offer dual temperature zones are ideal if you plan on storing different types of wine, as you’re able to have two or more temperature settings in the same unit.

Although dual temperature wine coolers tend to be more expensive, it’s definitely worth the money as you’ll get far more flexibility in storing your wine collection.

This means you can store most of your wines at optimal storing temperature, and others are serving temperature for when you’re ready to drink them or serve them.

Click here to learn more about the difference between the two.