If you are like most wine lovers - or even those who enjoy a casual glass of wine with dinner or when hosting a party - purchasing a wine refrigerator makes sense! Anyone who drinks wine knows that perfect taste is achieved when the wine is chilled. But chilling and storing your fine wines and champagnes in your home refrigerator isn't the answer because regular refrigerators simply will not control and temperature and humidity properly. Storing wine in a pantry or closet is not practical either because conditions can vary, causing deterioration in the quality of the wine and spoilage. Additionally, wine should be stored on its side so that the cork stays moist, and this type of storage can only be achieved with a specially made wine bottle refrigerator with individual compartments for each bottle.
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.
We must also consider humidity when selecting a wine fridge. For maintaining the best taste for wine, humidity levels of approximately 70% RH are optimal. When stored at this humidity level, the cork will stay moist and oxygen is unlikely to seep into the bottle which can result in spoilage. Wine refrigerators are able to maintain a consistent humidity level which will properly store your wine collection.
Last but not least, another factor you must consider when choosing your wine refrigerator is your budget. If your budget is limited, consider purchasing a small wine cooler (such as a compact 12-bottle fridge) which is the ideal way to get started if you have only a few bottles you want to store. There are many models to choose from which will provide you years of enjoyment. Of course, if your wine investment/hobby is more serious and your budget is less restrained, you can select a refrigerator that will easily store 200 or more bottles.
Purchasing a wine refrigerator to store all your wines of different types is a must for anyone who drinks wine or enjoys entertaining friends and co-workers. A beginning hobbyist as well as more serious wine collector will see multiple benefits from optimal wine storage.
