Wine Fridge Buying Guide

Thinking about buying a wine fridge? With so many different types to choose from, it can be difficult to know which will best match your needs. To help take some of the stress out of deciding how to keep your favourite wines cool, we’ve created a wine fridge buying guide explaining the different types of fridges available, features to look out for and more. Before you head to the shops or buy online, read through our buying guide and find out what you need to know about wine fridges.

A wine fridge, also known as a wine cabinet or wine cooler, is a type of fridge designed specifically for the long term storage of red and white wines. They are standalone units which can be integrated into kitchen cabinetry or made a design feature in their own right. Sizes do vary, from small units to larger fridges, but they are typically quite sleek and stylish in design, making them a welcome addition to any home.

Popular brands of wine fridges: Vintec, Miele, Husky

You might be wondering what sets a wine and champagne fridge apart from other fridges on the market, and, while there are plenty of differences, the main one is the temperature settings used by each. While a regular fridge maintains a temperature of around 4°C, this isn’t optimal for wine storage. If you’re wanting to store your favourite wines long term, you’ll need to aim for a temperature between 12°C and 18°C, which your home fridge or a standard bar fridge can’t achieve. Dedicated to keeping white and red wines at their best, many wine fridges also help to control humidity and reduce the amount of vibrations bottles are exposed to.

SINGLE ZONE WINE FRIDGES

Single zone wine fridges, as their name suggests, have just one internal temperature zone. They can be a good option if you prefer to keep your favourite type of wine on hand, whether it be red, white or sparkling, allowing you to tailor the way you store it to its particular temperature requirements.

• Internal temperature is generally easy to adjust

• Single zone wine fridges, as their name suggests, have just one internal temperature zone. They can be a good option if you prefer to keep your favourite type of wine on hand, whether it be red, white or sparkling, allowing you to tailor the way you store it to its particular temperature requirements. Wide variety of makes and models to choose from

• Typically cheaper than a dual or multi-zone model

• Often smaller in size than dual and multi-zone wine fridges

DUAL AND MULTI-ZONE WINE FRIDGES

If you appreciate many different varieties of wine, a dual or multi-zone wine fridge could be a good option for you. With two or more different temperature zones contained within a single unit, this type of wine fridge is flexible and well suited to a varied wine collection, allowing you to chill each type of wine to its optimum temperature.

• Allow you to store a variety of different wines at their optimum temperature within a single unit

• Offer flexible temperature adjustment, allowing you to adjust each zone individually

• Tend to provide more storage space than smaller single zone wine fridges

• Often more expensive than a dual or multi-zone wine fridge

• Capacity. Just like regular fridges, wine fridges are available in a variety of different capacities. Depending on your needs and the size of your collection, you may only need a small fridge, while others will require a much larger model. If you generally buy bottles just before you plan to drink them, a small fridge should be fine, but if you have a larger collection, you may want to invest in a fridge with a larger capacity. The capacity of wine fridges is generally indicated based on a standard 750mL Bordeaux bottle.

• Shelving material.Most wine fridges will feature either metal or wooden shelving. If your budget allows it, look for a model with wooden shelves. Not only do they look great, but they also help to dampen any vibrations that may otherwise agitate the wine you’re storing. Metal shelving can be okay if you plan to consume the wine shortly after chilling but should be avoided if you’re planning to age your collection.

• Temperature controls. Having the option to adjust the temperature inside your wine fridge allows you to tailor storage to the types of wine you love. Red, white and sparkling wines all keep better at different temperatures, making this a feature that helps you to get more from your favourite drop.

• Lighting. Internal lighting is a practical feature to look out for when comparing wine fridge models, allowing you to see to the back of the unit. It’s important to look for soft LED lighting as harsh, bright lights can be harmful to wine.

• Humidity control. If your wine collection contains bottles sealed with corks, humidity controls can help to maintain the optimum moisture levels within the cork itself. If you prefer screw top bottles, this feature is less important.

• Locks.Not only do locks act as a good general security feature, they also help to keep children away from your wine, providing peace of mind when you’re not home.

• Tinted glass.If your wine fridge is set to sit in an area of your home that will be exposed to sunlight, it can be a good idea to look for a fridge model with a tinted glass door. As UV rays can be harmful to wine, the tinted glass helps to shield the contents of your fridge from damage caused by the sun.

• Tempered glass.Stronger than regular glass, tempered glass doors are a good choice as they can withstand greater wear and tear.

• Reversible doors.With units often designed to sit beneath a countertop, many wine fridge models have reversible doors. This feature allows you to choose whether your unit’s door will be hinged on the left or right, making it easy to adapt your fridge to your needs.