A Compact Wine Refrigerator Is A Great Substitute For A Wine Cellar

If you’re short on space but have a growing wine collection a compact wine refrigerator is the ideal way to store it. The capacity of a wine refrigerator can range from six bottles up to 800 bottles; a compact wine refrigerator can fit under a cabinet or stand against a wall. Dual zone wine refrigerators are readily available and these can store different styles of wines at different temperatures for long-term aging or drinking.

For the many people who do not have the space to build a mini wine cellar, a compact wine refrigerator can provide an ideal solution. A compact under-bench wine refrigerator will maintain wines at the ideal temperature and it should be remembered that even those wines that are best served at room temperature should be stored in a cool environment to protect the integrity of the wine.

The advantage of a dual zone wine refrigerator is its ability to store different types of wines in the same unit. The recommended storage temperature for white wines is between 46 and 54 degrees Farenheit and for red wines it is 54 to 64 degrees Farenheit. As well as offering best practice temperature control, a wine refrigerator also maintains the correct humidity for wine storage.

The Best Way To Store Wine

Most wine lovers understand that they must treat their wines with respect and avoid vibration to the bottles to protect their wine. Look for a good quality wine refrigerator that will be vibration free and one that may use internal LED lighting to further protect the wine.

Even a low wattage bulb can increase the temperature in a space like a compact wine refrigerator. Because, ideally, wines should be stored in darkness, the use of LED lights that do not emit any appreciable heat will assist in creating a cooler and darker environment. It is recommended that you only open the wine refrigerator when necessary.

Most compact wine refrigerators have metal racks on which the bottles can lie tilted slightly towards the opening end to ensure the corks remain in contact with the wine. Regardless of the space available for a wine refrigerator, tall, slender units that can hold up to a dozen bottles or larger furniture-sized units with a capacity of many hundreds of bottles can protect the wines from environmental hazards that can alter their taste, hasten their aging and reduce their overall appeal.

At his wine blog – ChrisOnWine – Chris Miley occasionally mentions wine refrigerators amongst many other wine topics.