Many of us dream about owning a wine cellar that can house thousands of bottles, but the truth is it is often out of budget, or we do not have enough space. To meet the needs of serious wine collectors who cannot have a wine cellar, Vinotemp has created many functional and stylish large wine fridges. Just how tall is a tall wine fridge? Do you really need one?
Do I Really Need a Tall Wine Cooler?
There are several factors to consider before you invest in a large wine refrigerator. First, is there a need for a tall wine cooler? Tall wine fridges hold between 100 to over 300 bottles of wine. In addition, if you need more storage capacity than 300, you can purchase more than one unit and install them side by side. If you only keep a few dozen bottles of wine at a time, then a tall wine cooler may not be practical. On the other hand, if you have hundreds of bottles you need to store, a tall wine fridge is a practical solution. Next, do you have the space for a large wine cooler? We will dive into the details of dimensions in the next section. The area where you will install your new wine cooler should have a flat, level floor and should be able to sustain the appliance's weight when fully loaded with your wine collection. Also, the room you select should be insulated and maintain a steady temperature throughout the year without sudden temperature swings. Wine is sensitive to direct sunlight, so placing the wine cooler in a darker area of your home is ideal. Keep in mind select wine coolers are designed for outdoor use and can be installed in a garage or basement if needed.
Buying a wine refrigerator can be an overwhelming process, especially since there are so many wine coolers to choose from.
Many larger wine refrigerators receive the spotlight because they are impressive and make a beautiful display of wine. What about smaller wine coolers? Small capacity wine refrigerators are perfect for wine lovers who only want to store a few bottles of wine. Compact wine fridges are also great for apartment dwellers, RVs, and home bars. Today we are showcasing our top five small capacity wine fridges with a summary of their features, making it easier for you to shop for your new wine cooler.
A wine cabinet can be a beautiful and functional feature of any home or business.
Where you install your wine cabinet is important to the longevity of your cabinet and can also affect how your wine collection ages. Here are tips to help you choose a location for your wine cabinet.
Proper Placement
Selecting the proper location for your wine cabinet depends on five important factors.
1. Weight Load Factor: When fully loaded with wine, the weight of your new wine cabinet will be substantial. You must select an area where the floor can support the cabinet’s weight when stocked. For example, a wine cabinet that holds 440 bottles of wine can weigh 1,430 lbs or more.
2. A level, hard, and flat floor is needed to support the cabinet’s weight and prevent it from tipping or becoming skewed over time.
3. Ambient Temperature: An active wine cabinet with a cooling system will keep wine at the desirable 55 degrees Fahrenheit if the maximum ambient temperature of the room does not exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Selecting a room that is not exposed to hot afternoon sun and with proper insulation is important. Select cellar cooling systems can handle ambient temperatures above 80 degrees, up to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Speak with a Vinotemp cellar expert if you are thinking about installing a wine cabinet in a room subject to temperature fluctuations.
4. Humidity Factor: Wine cabinets are designed to maintain humidity but not create it. Humidity is important to wine storage because it prevents the cork of the wine bottle from drying out.
5. Ventilation: The cellar cooling unit of the wine cabinet will need to exhaust. Depending on where the exhaust is located, you will need to account for proper clearance. For example, units that exhaust towards the rear need 6 inches of clearance away from the back wall to vent properly, plus 12 inches of clearance at the top and sides of the cabinet.
6. Noise: A wine cabinet with a cooling system will make noise and sound like a kitchen refrigerator. Place the cabinet where the noise of the cooling unit running and turning on or off will not disturb you.
Wine collectors know that how you store your wine is critical to ensuring it will age gracefully and taste great once uncorked.
Wine needs a cool environment around 55 degrees Fahrenheit with the proper humidity, free from vibrations and harmful UV rays. Both wine coolers and wine cellars can keep your wine in optimal conditions. Let’s examine wine coolers and wine cellars and how they differ.
Wine Coolers
A wine cooler is a refrigerator designed for wine storage. Unlike a standard kitchen refrigerator designed for food, wine refrigerators do not suck the humidity out. Wine coolers are equipped with a cooling system, wine racking, and interior lighting. They are insulated and sealed to ensure they maintain a stable environment. Wine coolers are available in various colors and styles, including stainless steel, all black, glass doors, solid doors, curved handles, pole handles and more. Wine coolers have become staple appliances in kitchens, bars, country clubs, restaurants, wine bars, etc.
As you shop for wine storage options, you may notice that wine coolers and wine cabinets appear to be similar.
Both wine cabinets and wine refrigerators control the temperature of a wine’s environment and include wine racking. There are some notable differences and similarities between wine coolers and wine cabinets that should be considered before purchasing.
Style
The most obvious way wine coolers and cabinets differ is how they look. Wine coolers are primarily a combination of metal and glass, most closely resembling a traditional kitchen refrigerator with the bonus of a glass door and specialized racking. Wine coolers are available in various finishes, from all black to stainless steel, making them a perfect match for existing kitchen appliances. Wine cabinets most closely resemble a cabinet with wood doors, metal handles, and furniture-like finishes that help them blend into a living or dining room. When it comes to aesthetics, some who prefer a more modern look will opt for a wine cooler, while those who love the rich, earthy appearance of wood will favor a wood wine cabinet.
There are many ways to ensure your wine ages gracefully; the most important is proper storage.
If you drink wine quickly and rarely store wine long-term, you are likely not familiar with the basics of wine storage. Once you start accumulating five bottles, ten bottles, and then cases of wine, it is time to start storing your wine in the ideal environment. .
How NOT to Store Wine
Wine is a delicate liquid that needs the proper conditions to thrive. Here are some of the worst places to store wine:
● A hot or cold space that is subject to wide temperature fluctuations. For example, a hot garage, outdoors, or uninsulated space are bad places to store wine.
● In a bright space where the wine will be exposed to harsh UV rays or bright lighting.
● In a high traffic area where people are regularly walking by or opening/closing the cabinet’s doors where the wine is stored.
● In a dry location with little to no humidity.
Now that you know where not to store your wine, let’s discuss where you should.
