A Compact Wine Refrigerator Is A Great Substitute For A Wine Cellar
A compact wine refrigerator is the ideal way to store your wine collection in prime condition, whether you are an avid collector or just like to have a few bottles on hand to share with guests. 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-counter wine refrigerator will store wines at the ideal wine temperature and it should also be remembered that even those wines that are best served at room temperature should be stored in a cool environment prior to opening 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.
All wine lovers understand that they must look after their wines and treat them with respect; this includes avoiding any vibration of the bottles, to protect the wine. Any good quality wine refrigerator should be free from vibration and some of the better wine refrigerators are now beginning to use LED lighting in the interior to further protect the wine from deterioration.
Even low wattage bulbs can increase the temperature in an enclosed space like a compact wine refrigerator. Wines should ideally be stored in darkness, so the use of LED lights that do not emit any appreciable heat will assist in creating a better environment. It is recommended that you only open the wine refrigerator when necessary.
Most compact wine refrigerators utilize metal racks – the bottles are stored 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 discusses wine refrigerators as an option for storing a wine collection.
