Choosing
The Perfect Storage Place is the Key to Preserving your Favorite
Wines.
The
majority of wine collectors don’t have access to a custom
wine cellar. Those that do may want a secondary unit in the kitchen
for short-term storage. A good wine cooler may be exactly what
you need.
A
wine refrigerator is ideal for those who have limited space in
which to keep their investment, such as those living in small
apartments. They are primarily for short-term storage, though
many will store their wine for years in a high quality unit. There
are many different types and sizes, and prices range from less
than $50 to over $5000. A large number of coolers employ digital
monitoring, offering peace of mind. Many even offer dual climate
zones for different types of wine. The right style is right for
you depends on many factors.
Required
capacity should be the first decision you make. Sizes range from
an inexpensive 1 bottle unit to a behemoth that can hold 500+
bottles, and any number in between. Any collector will tell you
to purchase significantly more capacity than you think you might
need. Every collector starts with just a small group, and is soon
left wondering where to put the additional cases they’ve
acquired. It makes sense to purchase what you'll need before you
actually need it.
There
are 3 main types of cooler to choose from. The most common are
the refrigerated-type. A refrigerated wine cooler is very much
like your kitchen refrigerator. They use a compressor, which passes
refrigerant through the tubing in the walls. They operate very
quietly, and are able to maintain the correct temperature and
humidity at all times. While they can be a little more expensive,
this style can be placed almost anywhere, and will last a very
long time.
Forced-air
styles are also very popular. This style uses an actual cooling
unit, installed in an insulated cabinet. This type of cooler works
quite well, and is able to chill your wines to optimum temperature
very quickly. Typically, the drawback to this type is noise. In
addition, you must allow space for airflow around the unit, which
can limit placement. They also come at a higher price.
The
last type of cooler is thermo-electric. These have become increasingly
popular with today’s wine enthusiast. This is most likely
related to the much lower cost of ownership. Not only are the
units themselves available at a significantly lower cost, they
use less energy. Compressors aren’t used, so vibration is
not a concern, as in refrigerated and forced-air styles. Thermo-electric
coolers also don't use refrigerants like the other two styles,
making them more environmentally-friendly. Unfortunately, most
thermo-electric coolers max out at around 30 bottle capacities.
Another drawback is the actual cooling ability. Usually, this
type of cooler will only lower temps to about 20 degrees below
a room’s ambient temperature.
Now
that you’ve obtained the information you need, it’s
time to start searching for your wine cooler. There is no better
place to begin your search than the internet. Online shops offer
a huge selection and plenty of information to help you make an
educated decision, while saving money. While you’re at it,
you may want to purchase some accessories, or maybe a few bottles
of wine to help fill that new cooler. Enjoy.
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