Oct 19 2009
Choosing the Best Wine Refrigerator to Protect Your Wines
If your enjoyment of wine is a serious hobby- or you simply enjoy a daily glass of wine with dinner - investing in a wine refrigerator will pay off! Everyone who drinks wine understands that all wine tastes best when chilled at its perfect temperature. However, using a regular kitchen refrigerator for storing and chilling wine is not a good plan since a regular refrigerator does not properly control humidity and temperature. You also cannot store wine in a food pantry or cabinet since temperature is not always constant which may cause spoilage of the wine and deterioration in the quality. Also consider the fact that wine bottles should be stored horizontally so that the cork doesn’t dry out, and this way of storing bottles is possible only with a specific wine bottle refrigerator with trays to accommodate vertical bottles.
In case you’re a novice with wines and are looking to buy your first refrigerator, let’s review the ideal wine storage temperatures. The ideal temperature for storing and cooling wines is 55 to 58 degrees Fahrenheit. The best serving temperatures vary somewhat based upon the specific wine: champagne and sparkling wines 53-57 degrees F; light red wines 54-57 degrees F; rich red wine and full-bodied vintages 59-68 degrees F; light red 54-57 degrees F. When you are considering which refrigerator to purchase, make sure to take into account these temperatures and what type of wine you prefer in order to be able to select the best refrigerator for your needs.
Humidity is another important factor in deciding to buy a wine fridge. In order for a wine to maintain its fine taste, humidity levels of around 70% RH need to be maintained. At this level, the cork will not dry out and won’t allow oxygen to penetrate the bottle which would cause spoilage. Wine refrigerators control humidity by maintaining constant optimal conditions which will protect your fine wines.
The last thing to consider, perhaps the most important when choosing a wine refrigerator is your budget. With a limited budget, you can certainly purchase a compact wine cooler (such as a small 12-bottle refrigerator) which is adequate for you to start your wine collection if you plan to store only a few bottles. In this size, there are various refrigerators to pick from which will offer top quality and satisfaction. Conversely, if you are more serious about collecting wine and have a larger budget, you can easily find a refrigerator that will store a large quantity of bottles.
The purchase of a wine refrigerator to store and chill your fine wines is a good investment. Anyone who enjoys wine from the small wine collector to the serious hobbyist will be satisfied when their wines are optimally stored.
Looking to find the best deal on wine refrigerators, then visit www.winerefrigeratorguide.com to find the best advice on choosing a wine cooler.
