How to Choose a Wine Rack Fridge
You need the right tools to organize your collection regardless of whether you serve wine at dinner parties or consume it at night on weeknights. We searched for racks that were easy to put together, could hold standard bottles and was large enough to accommodate an extra decanter and other accessories.
We also considered niche size, ground clearance, and energy efficiency. See how our top picks stack up!
Temperature Control
When storage wine, it is important to consider the temperature of the surrounding environment. wine refrigerator small can damage the cork and label while too much humidity can cause the bottles to rust or develop mold. A wine rack fridge has an individual temperature control feature to help you store your bottles at the appropriate level of humidity and temperature for the type of wine. It is also essential to shield your wine from harsh sunlight and abrasions since they can adversely impact the quality of your bottle.
A wine fridge is designed with a dual-pane door that aids in insulation and block harmful UV rays as well as an automated lock to stop the accidental opening of the door, which could disturb the temperature inside. It also usually has a humidifier to keep the air inside fresh and keep your wine safe from premature oxidation.
A wine cellar refrigerator also comes with independent temperature zones. This allows you to store different kinds of wine at their optimal temperature and can improve the quality of your collection. The lighter reds, like Pinot Noir and Gamay, do best at cooler temperatures, while bolder, darker reds, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah/Shiraz and Cabernet Franc, can benefit from an increase in temperature.
Both wine rack fridges and regular refrigerators can be used to store your bottles of wine, but a wine fridge is specifically made for this purpose and has an optimal storage temperature of 45-65degF. Many regular refrigerators run with temperatures that are too cold for wine storage and can negatively impact the bottles by breaking or exploding the corks.
Many wine refrigerators are built out of wood, which provides them with a fashionable and traditional appearance, but you must be careful when choosing your wood as certain kinds of wood may alter the taste of the wines. You should also avoid placing your wine on wooden racks that have been stained because the odors of the stain could be absorbed into the cork and taint your wines. Other materials, such as stainless steel or wrought iron, are often used to construct wine racks for wine refrigerators since they are sturdy and repel stains.
Control of Humidity
Many wine cellars come with an active humidity control system. This means that a sensor is able to detect the amount of moisture present in the air and uses a fan to blow cool humid air into the refrigerator increasing the humidity to a desired level. This ensures that the corks stay supple and seal the bottles properly and protect the wine from the oxidation. It also ensures that the labels are legible and prevents mold from forming.
This is especially important for wines that must be stored long-term, as oxidation can change the flavor and color of the wine. Controlling humidity prevents the development of these effects and ensures that the wines remain in good condition for longer durations of time.
Standard fridges aren't the best for storing wine. They may not offer enough humidity control or could be too cold. Extremely cold temperatures can cause liquids in bottles to freeze. This can cause cracks or pop corks, and cause damage to the contents. A wine rack refrigerator will not subject the bottles to such cold conditions, so that they don't get frozen and retain their integrity.
Another issue that can happen in refrigerators with regular refrigeration is the exposure to smells. The smells of food leftovers and other food items can be transferred into the wine and spoil the flavor and taste. This issue can be avoided by keeping the wine-only storage space in the wine fridge.
Anyone who wishes to store and age their wine collection in a safe and controlled space will find wine rack refrigerators extremely useful. It can be used for short-term storage in high-traffic areas, and helps preserve wine for long-term cellaring by minimizing the amount of light they are exposed. Many models even come with UV-protected glass to protect the wine from damage caused by light. With a wide selection of sizes and styles there's bound to be a wine rack refrigerator that is suitable for your needs. You can choose from a range of materials from wood to metal to wood, so you can find the best suitable for your home.
Adjustable Shelves
A wall-mounted rack is an excellent option for a wine fridge if you have a small collection of wines. These units look much like a picture or clock on a wall, and they tend to look more appealing than freestanding wine cabinets. They are also typically less expensive than a full size wine refrigerator.
However, a wine refrigerator with shelves that can be adjusted is a superior choice for a larger 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 downwards. This gives you more flexibility in the amount of bottles you can keep. These models also help maintain a constant temperature in your bottles, which is crucial for wine that is aging.
A wine fridge that has adjustable shelves will have the wood-metal combination. The shelves are constructed from an extremely durable base made of metal that will not warp. The top is made of perfectly carved wooden cradles that fit bottles of any size and shape. These cradles minimize movement and vibrations that can harm wine that is old and can assist in keeping your bottles upright. This will help you avoid the need to stack your bottles, which can reduce their capacity per shelf.
Another benefit of this type of wine storage is that the cradles protect your bottles from UV light, which can prematurely age your wine and alter their taste. Certain models also have the hygrometer, an instrument that monitors the humidity levels inside the cabinet. This will inform you if the humidity level is too high or too low, allowing you to adjust the wine fridge accordingly.
Certain wines have a perfect temperature range, which is where they taste the best. It's important to choose a wine fridge that has dual zones of cooling if you have multiple types. This way, you can store each type of wine at its optimal serving temperature.
Another great feature that a lot of wine refrigerators that have adjustable shelves come with is a built-in security cage. This stops the theft of wine bottles and can be locked to ensure that guests who are not allowed to access into the fridge if you aren't there.
Dual Zone Cooling
A dual zone fridge is a great choice for wine lovers who appreciate a variety of varietals. The cooling technology that comes standard with these units permits you to create two distinct temperature profiles. For example, you can keep your white wines at an icy, crisp 46-56 degrees Fahrenheit and store red wines at an a cooler more cellar-like temperature of 55-65 degrees Fahrenheit. This allows you to enjoy a variety of your favourites at the same time while keeping each at its ideal serving temperature.
These units can also hold magnum-sized bottles. These units usually contain extra space for large wine bottles, which means you can store and serve more of the brands you love. A lot of models come with removable shelves, which makes it easy to adjust the racks to accommodate different bottle sizes.
These wine refrigerators do not just regulate the temperature, but also ensure the integrity of any collection. They are insulated from heat transfer and harmful UV rays which can cause damage to the wine. Doors are usually double-paned to improve insulation. Some doors even have a lock that prevents accidental openings.
Some models also come with drip tray, which shields the interior from spilled wine, and also prevents it from staining the interior. They are designed to hold wine bottles horizontally so that the cork is kept moist, protecting the wine against drying.
Whether you are searching for a wine refrigerator to add to your home bar or kitchen, or even a dedicated wine storage space, a wine rack fridge is the perfect fit. These coolers are designed to be both functional and stylish, and they can be customized to fit in any space. The advanced cooling systems and insulation that these models have makes them more energy efficient compared to single-zone wine refrigerators, helping you save money on your electric bill. These models are also an excellent choice for those who want to add the luxury of their collection. What are you putting off now? Find the perfect device for you by beginning your search now.