Overview
A wine freezer makes sense if you're a passionate wine collector without access to a real cellar. However, even if you don't save specific vintages for a very long time, one may be useful when you start having trouble putting food in between the piled bottles in your refrigerator.
The issue with purchasing the Best wine and beverage refrigerator is that they are expensive and, when you browse online, they all essentially have the same appearance. If you're going to spend this much money on a new household appliance, you want to be sure it works and that it works for you. Perhaps you need a lot of bottle space, or you need one that will fit into a small kitchen.
I spoke with eight sommeliers, winemakers, and restaurant owners about the wine coolers and fridges they trust with their bottles to help you choose the Best wine and beverage refrigerator for the way you drink. This article also includes some FAQs for your need!
Our top picks
- SCORE8.6
- BrandWine Enthusiast
Last update on 2023-04-02 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
Your best option may be a single-temperature refrigerator if the majority of your collection is red wine. Remember that all types of wine—red, white, sparkling, and fortified—age optimally between the ranges of 53 and 57 degrees, advises Tilden. In other words, a single-temperature refrigerator will work effectively if long-term aging—rather than maintaining wines at serving temperature—is your first objective.
The 18-bottle single-zone wine fridge from Kalamera is stylish and incredibly useful. It has six movable beech wood shelves that won't damage your bottles, innovative cooling technology that reduces vibration, and clever digital control. The refrigerator has a temperature range of 40 degrees to 66 degrees. You may also include it in your counters or leave it as an independent fixture thanks to the front vent.
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Given Berrigan's predilection for keeping wines at a temperature that is close to that at which they would be eaten, dual-zone refrigerators are her go-to (i.e., she likes her reds at cellar temperature, and her whites colder than that). For its frostless, UV-protected tinted glass pane, stainless steel frame, reversible door, LED lighting and display, and energy-efficient fan system, she suggests Frigidaire's 38-bottle cooler.
All of these features were adored by our tester, but the dual zones stood out because they let her keep her drinks at the perfect temperature (55 to 64 degrees for reds and 41 to 54 degrees for whites). She mentioned that putting beer, drinks, and other items in the fridge is also a wonderful idea. Even though our tester adored the sleek, contemporary look, there were a few minor design flaws: the seven shelves don't slide out very smoothly, and the racks are too narrow to accommodate some broad-shouldered bottles, so the fridge could only hold 26 of her collection's bottles rather than the advertised 38.
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It's no surprise that our #1 choice comes from Wine Enthusiast as it has been a dependable source of knowledge on wine and spirits for almost 40 years, as well as related topics like travel, hospitality, and food. This freestanding model was created with wine enthusiasts in mind and is perfect for a smaller collection.
With its four scalloped wire racks, this energy-efficient, quiet wine cooler can store up to 32 regular Bordeaux bottles of wine. It has a touch panel with an LED display and two temperature zones that may be adjusted between 41 and 64 degrees Fahrenheit. For bottles that will be served soon, the smaller top section can be used, while the bigger lower section can be used for longer-term age. You can see what's inside thanks to the glass door, and the LED inside lighting makes it easy to identify what's within by illuminating it.
The first significant thing to note is how well this model works; it maintains a relatively consistent, steady temperature and little vibration, two factors that are essential for wine preservation. This refrigerator's compressor unit performs better than many other models on the market in a wider range of ambient temperatures, keeping bottles chilled even when the room it is in is getting close to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
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A popular built-in wine cooler with multiple temperature zones and a capacity of 46 standard Bordeaux bottles are the Kalamera 46-Bottle Dual Zone Wine Refrigerator. Set the upper zone for whites and rosés between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit and the lower zone for reds between 50 and 66 degrees Fahrenheit with a few clicks of the touchpad.
For simple access to your wines, five beechwood shelves slide in and out. The interior is softly lighted by an LED light that is powerful enough to read the labels but safe for your wines. The second layer of tinted, tempered glass on the door offers additional security and helps to further insulate the cooler by blocking ambient light. Your collection will be protected thanks to the hexagonal bolt lock, and the entire equipment is quite quiet because of the compressor's low vibration.
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Looking for a thermoelectric wine cooler to keep your energy costs down and minimize sediment disturbances in your wine that is also quiet, small, and vibration-free? This Koolatron regular 20-bottle wine refrigerator, which costs about $200, has received good ratings and is one of the most cost-effective options we've seen. The Koolatron WC20 is a straightforward freestanding cooler with one temperature zone and five metal wire racks that are perfect for aging modest wine collections. Even though this model lacks a compressor, several reviewers have voiced concerns with the internal fan's loudness.
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1. Should wine be kept in a conventional refrigerator?
According to our specialists, all wines should be stored at a temperature of about 55 degrees, which is somewhat warmer than your kitchen refrigerator. It's okay to place a bottle of wine in your standard refrigerator to chill it before serving, but extended storage there isn't advised because the vibrations can eventually cause the wine to lose its flavor.
2. How do you load a wine refrigerator with wine?
In general, wine bottles should never be stored upright; they should always be stored on their sides. Keeping the cork's surface in contact with the wine inside the bottle will keep the cork from drying out. Allowing a cork to dry up will result in oxygen getting into the bottle, which is terrible news for the wine (oxidation is one of the main culprits in wine spoilage).
3. What degree should a wine refrigerator be set at?
Classic "cellar temperature" is much cooler than "room temperature," at about 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Reds are best served in the mid-60s and should be refrigerated at this temperature (although Berrigan points out that anything between 50 and 68 degrees is a safe zone). Whites and other chilled wines should be stored between 42 and 50 degrees, which is warmer than the typical refrigerator temperature. Many of these wines can also be served at this temperature, negating the need for further last-minute chilling. Take Tilden's suggestion and keep any bottles you have in a single-zone refrigerator between 53 and 57 degrees; this is the ideal range for all wines to age naturally.
The Best wine and beverage refrigerator allows you to store your beverages and wine collection at a constant temperature to preserve the flavor and texture in addition to having a fashionable appearance. Finding the Best wine and beverage refrigerator for your wine and beer collection might be difficult, though, given the wide variety on the market. If you're unsure which wine and beverage refrigerator to buy for your home or workplace, we hope that this buying guide will assist you in making an informed choice. Consider essential factors including easy-to-use temperature control, energy economy, capacity, construction, style, and temperature range when making your choice. To attain the proper flavor and consistency, you must be aware of the temperature ranges for wine, beer, and soft drinks. Finally, choose the model that best fits your needs and provides value for your money.
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