How to Choose the Best Wine Fridge
Buying a wine fridge is a relatively large investment, and you need to get it right the first time. I have seen too many people buy poorly, ultimately becoming disappointed and frustrated with their cabinet, something that can easily be avoided.
To selecting the wine fridge that best suits your needs, consider the following 4 key factors:
1. Capacity – from 12 bottles to over 470
Determine how many bottles you need to store now and consider how your wine collection may grow in the future. In my experience, many wine collectors buy more wine once they find a wine storage solution so buy a larger cabinet than you think you initially need.
If your budget is limited, invest in a larger size wine cabinet before opting for all the bells and whistles such as extra sliding shelves and glass door.
2. Location – within the home/office or in the garage
If you intend to put your wine fridge in the dining room, living area, or on display, consider customising with a glass door or a choice of colours and finishes (including leather and stainless steel). Another option is to build the wine cabinet into kitchen cabinetry or a furniture piece. In this case, ensure that the cabinet is front ventilated or that there is some room left for air circulation or the wine cabinet will not perform properly. Another factor you need to consider if the cabinet is in the home is the amount of noise it will make.
If the wine cabinet is going in the garage, my guess is that aesthetics may not be as important so you can save money by opting for a solid door. If you have a lot of wine that you want to store longer term, storage shelves allow higher capacity and further savings.
3. Temperature zones – one, two, three and multi temperature
Determine how much of your wine needs to be stored longer term versus how much wine you need ‘at call’ for short term drinking. ALL wine should be stored at 14 degrees Celsius with a temperature variation of no more than one degree, whilst drinking temperature varies between 6 degrees Celsius (eg. for champagne) and 18 degrees Celsius (eg. for big reds), depending on wine variety.
Single temperature wine cabinets are best suited to storing wine longer term, whilst 2, 3 and multi temperature units are ideal for restaurants or those who entertain quite regularly and therefore generally require a large amount of wine ‘at call’ at ideal drinking temperature.
4. Shelving – roller mounted, sliding, storage, champagne …
When it comes to the day to day use and functionality of your wine cabinet (and, believe me, the amount of enjoyment versus frustration you will experience), an important factor is the type of shelving.
Firstly, unless the shelves are roller mounted, you will probably struggle to open a fully stacked shelf. Secondly, the style of shelving (ie. either sliding or storage) needed is based on how much of the same wine you buy as well as how long your wine needs to be aged. If you typically buy wine in dozens or half dozens and want to store longer term, you may consider storage shelves which allow greater capacity in your wine cabinet as bottles are stacked on top of each other. Sliding shelves are ideal for wines you want to drink shorter term as they allow easy access to each bottle.
Last but by no means least, consider buying shelves that are specifically made for different wine varieties such as champagne and Bordeaux.
Taking all of this into consideration, please view our list of 'Essential Questions' (to the right) you should ask the organisation you are buying your wine cabinet from
Case Studies
Mr and Mrs Brown - well travelled and well educated couple who enjoy drinking wine and understand that cellaring wine will reward in the long term. They are well informed and want to buy the right product. They require a high quality wine cabinet with a large capacity for storing wine which is aesthetically pleasing as it will be on display within their home. They require a maintenance free wine cabinet and demand a high standard of after sales service which includes automated annual filter postage and specialist who will answer any questions.
Ideal wine cabinet – EuroCave V283 with glass door, 14 sliding shelves (including champagne shelf), single temperature with temperature and humidity display as well as a list of features and benefits.
Young Professional - is discovering the pleasures of wine, investing in good wines and understands the need to store it properly. He wants the best value for money wine cabinet with optimum capacity for storing wine.
Ideal wine cabinet – EuroCave V180 / V266 with solid door and storage shelves.
Discerning – understand quality and are prepared to pay for the best. They are proud of their beautiful home and enjoy entertaining and sharing wine experiences with friends. They buy prestige appliances that are stylish and of the highest quality. Wine needs to be at ideal serving temperature, ready for drinking as required.
Ideal wine cabinet – EuroCave S059, stainless steel frame / frameless glass door or fully integrated in joinery or within a specially designed furniture piece.
Please contact MacPhee’s on eurocave@macphees.com.au or 1800 733 621 to discuss your wine cabinet needs.
Please click here to Request a Brochure