Proper storage for your wine is the key reason to find a wine refrigerator. By now you may have casually looked around and been overloaded by the variety and price difference of the units that are in the market. To narrow down the field there are a few basics you should look at.
Cost
Perhaps the first thing you should look at is your budget, which is probably the easiest way to rule out many models. If you can’t afford it then don’t buy it, so figure out the maximum amount you could possibly afford and eliminate any choices beyond that point.
Location
Where do you plan to put the refrigerator? If you plan to put it in your garage, a location where the temperature gets above 80°F, or if the area has temperature fluctuations then your best bet is to get a standard vapor compression unit that operates the same as your household fridge. Your new unit should also be located in an area with minimal vibration so as not to disturb the sediment.
Size
How many bottles do you plan to store? The amount of bottles is a huge factor when choosing the correct fridge. If you are only going to have six bottles, then do you really need that larger unit? Or perhaps you have plans to expand your collection. Most units operate best when they are at least half full.
Storage
When looking at a wine fridge be sure that it has a proper rack which will store the bottles on their sides and will not allow them to roll around. Many fridges have steel racks specifically designed to cradle the bottles.
Temperature
If you are using the wine fridge for short term storage of wines you may want to look for a fridge with dual temperature zones for red and white wines. White wine should be kept cooler than red, some refrigerator models have dual chambers which allow for different temperature zones. This way your wine is ready to drink right from the fridge!
Once you have gone over some of these basics and narrowed down the choices it is time to read reviews and see the units in person so that you can find the unit that will work for you and your décor.
