How to Choose a Wine Rack Fridge
You need the right tools for storing your collection regardless of whether you serve wine at dinner parties or consume it at night on weeknights. We looked for racks that were easy to put together, could hold standard bottles and had enough space to accommodate an extra decanter and other accessories.
We also emphasized niche size as well as ground clearance and energy efficiency. Check out how our top choices compare!
Temperature Control
When you are storing wine, it's crucial to take into consideration the temperature of the surrounding environment. Too cold can damage the cork and label and humidity too high can cause the bottles to mold or rust. A wine rack fridge has an individual temperature control feature to help keep your bottles at the appropriate level of humidity and temperature appropriate for the type of wine. It is also important to shield your wine from harsh sunlight and vibrations since they can adversely impact the quality of your bottle.
A wine refrigerator is constructed with a double-paned glass door that blocks UV rays and helps insulate. It also comes with an automatic lock which prevents accidental opening of the doors, which can alter the temperature inside. It usually comes with a humidifier to keep the air inside fresh and helps protect your wine from oxidation that is prematurely occurring.
Another benefit of a wine cellar refrigerator is its distinct temperature zones. This allows you to store different kinds of wine at their optimal temperature and can improve the quality of your collection. Lighter reds, like Pinot Noir and Gamay tend to do better in cooler temperatures, whereas bolder, darker reds, like Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah/Shiraz, and Cabernet Franc, are better off at a slight increase in temperature.
Wine rack fridges as well as regular refrigerators can be used to store your bottles of wine. However, a wine cooler is specially designed for this purpose and comes with an ideal temperature for storage between 45 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Many regular refrigerators run with temperatures that are too cold for wine storage, and can harm the bottles through breaking or exploding the corks.
Many wine refrigerators are constructed with wood because it gives them a chic and traditional look, however you should be careful when selecting your wood since certain kinds of wood may alter the taste of your wine. Avoid storing wine on wood racks that are stained, as the odors can be absorbed by the cork and cause a smudge on the wine. Wine racks are typically constructed from stainless steel or wrought iron, which are robust and resistant to stains.
Humidity Control
Many wine cellars feature an active humidity control system. This means that a sensor is able to detect the amount of moisture in the air and then uses an air blower to push cool humid air into the fridge increasing the humidity to an ideal level. This ensures that the corks stay soft and seal the bottles securely to protect the wine from the oxidation. This also helps to keep the labels legible and prevents mold growth.
This is crucial for wines that require long-term storage because oxidation can alter the flavor and color of the wine. Controlling humidity prevents the development of these issues and ensures that the wines remain in good condition for a longer period of time.
A standard refrigerator isn't the ideal place to store wine, as it often doesn't provide enough humidity control and might be too cold. Extremely cold temperatures can cause liquids in bottles to freeze. This can crack or pop corks, and cause damage to the contents. A wine rack fridge does not expose the bottles to these cold conditions, ensuring that they do not freeze and maintain their integrity.
Another issue that could occur in regular refrigerators is the possibility of being exposed to smells. Food leftovers and other foods can be transferred into the wine, which can affect its flavor and taste. This problem can be avoided by keeping the wine-only storage area in the wine refrigerator.
Anyone who wishes to preserve and age their wine collection in a safe and controlled environment will find a wine rack refrigerator incredibly useful. It can be used to store wine for a short time in high traffic areas and also help preserve wines for long-term aging by limiting their exposure to light. Many models are equipped with UV-protective glass to protect wine from light damage. There are many kinds and sizes of wine racks available. You can choose from a variety of materials, from metal to wood, so you can find the perfect suitable for your home.
Adjustable Shelves
If you have a relatively modest wine collection, a wall-mounted wine rack is the best choice for your wine fridge. These units look much like a picture or clock on the wall, and they generally have a more appealing appearance than freestanding wine cabinets. They are also typically less expensive than a full size wine refrigerator.
A wine fridge with adjustable shelves is the best option for those with a large wine collection. These models let you customize the amount of space available for your bottles. You can do this by sliding the dividers upwards and down. This gives you more flexibility in the amount of bottles you can keep. These models also help to keep a constant temperature inside your bottles, which is crucial to age wine.
A wine refrigerator with adjustable shelves will feature a unique wood-metal hybrid design. The base of these shelves is made of a durable metal that isn't prone to warping and the top has beautifully carved wooden cradles that hug bottles of different sizes and shapes. The cradles reduce the movement and vibrations that could damage aging wines, and they can even assist in keeping your bottles in a straight line. This will help you avoid having stacking your bottles on shelves, which decreases the space on each shelf.
This type of wine storage also shields your bottles from UV rays, which can prematurely age your wine and alter the taste. Certain models also have a hygrometer, which is a device that monitors humidity levels within the cabinet. This lets you know when the humidity is too high or low, so you can adjust the wine fridge accordingly.
Certain wines have a specific temperature range, where they taste best. It is essential to select an wine refrigerator that has two zones of cooling in case you have multiple types. You can store every wine at the ideal serving temperature.
Another useful feature that many wine refrigerators with adjustable shelves come with is a security cage built in. This keeps any bottles from being stolen and it can also be secured to prevent unwelcome guests from entering the fridge even when you're not present.
Dual Zone Cooling
Many wine drinkers appreciate a wide range of varietals and a dual zone refrigerator is an excellent choice for these. The cooling technology included with these units permits you to customize two distinct temperature profiles. For instance, you can keep white wines at a cooler, crisper 46-56 degrees Fahrenheit and reds at a warm more cellar-like temperature of 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. This lets you take a taste of your favorites simultaneously, and keep each at its ideal serving temperature.
Another benefit of these units is their ability to accommodate large magnum-sized bottles. They typically include additional space for larger wine bottles, giving you room to store and serve more of your preferred labels. Many models also have shelves that are removable, making it easy to adjust the racks to accommodate different sizes of bottles.
These wine refrigerators don't just control the temperature, but also preserve the integrity of any collection. They are insulated against heat transfer and harmful UV rays that could degrade the wine. Doors are usually double-paned in order to increase insulation. Some even have locks that stop accidental openings.
Certain models come with a drip pan that protects the inside from spilled wine. under cabinet wine refrigerator stops it from staining. They are designed to hold wine bottles horizontally so that the cork stays wet, protecting the wine against drying.
If you're in search of an additional wine refrigerator to your bar in the home or kitchen, or even a dedicated wine storage space, a wine rack fridge is the ideal fit. These coolers are designed to be practical and elegant, and can be customized for any space. They are more energy-efficient than single-zone wine fridges due to their sophisticated cooling systems and insulation. You can save the cost of electricity. They are also an affordable option for those looking to add an element of luxury to their collection. What are you waiting for now? Start browsing today and find the right unit.