Quality wine is a rather capricious and tender drink. Its bouquet depends on many factors, including the temperature of its delivery to the table, storage conditions and the quality of the feedstock. Many of us do not drink the entire bottle at once, limiting ourselves to a couple of glasses of this wonderful drink. As a result, we still have open wine. It can be stored in the refrigerator only in exceptional cases, for these purposes it is better to purchase a wine cabinet.
Good wines - decent conditions
There is no doubt that the cellar is considered the best place to store wine. There are all conditions for the ripening of the drink. In traditional wine cellars, low temperatures and optimal humidity are constantly maintained.
Unfortunately, not all citizens living in apartment buildings have the opportunity to dig a small storage for their collection of fortified drinks. Therefore, very often wine is stored in ordinary refrigerators. However, this equipment is not intended for long-term preservation of a noble drink.
Can wine be stored in the refrigerator?
Of course, this is allowed. One of the most important conditions for storing wine is the complete stillness of the bottle. The drink should not be exposed to vibrations, therefore it is advisable to securely fix the container in one position. Many experienced winemakers recommend storing it exclusively in an upright position, because from the slightest contact with the cork, the wine loses its taste.
An open bottle of champagne can be stored in an ordinary refrigerator for no more than one day, wine - up to three days. High alcohol and sugar drinks can be in an open bottle for about seven days. Moreover, the wine should be tightly closed with a cork. The taste and aroma of the drink will gradually deteriorate in just a few hours. Therefore, it is better to use a refrigerator for wine to store bottles.
Cabinet Types
Today, there are four types of wine coolers. All of them perform various functions.
Single-temperature models maintain a stable temperature ranging from 10-14 degrees. These cabinets are real small wine cellars that unleash the full potential of your beverage collection. In two-temperature models, there are two isolated zones for storing drinks and cooling them before serving.
Three-temperature cabinets are designed for storing and cooling wines. They have three separate chambers in which different temperatures are maintained. The central compartment is used to store drinks, the top - to bring them to room temperature, the bottom - for cooling to 6-10 degrees. In multi-temperature cabinets you can store a variety of drinks. The temperature maintained inside such a refrigerator varies in a wide range: from 7 to 21 degrees.
Capacity and zoning
The simplest models can fit up to six bottles. Their popularity is explained by the ability to work on the vehicle’s battery. Many take such a refrigerator for wine with them on vacation. The small size allows it to be transported inside the car, due to this, such models are in great demand among fans of frequent outings.
For home storage of strong drinks, a wine refrigerator is more suitable, which can hold 12-50 bottles. Similar models differ in relatively small dimensions. Their height does not exceed a meter. Inveterate collectors will certainly be interested in wine racks the size of a good refrigerator. They can store from 100 to 500 bottles.
Inside the wine cabinet can be divided into several separate zones. Depending on the model of the refrigerator, it has two or three isolated chambers, each of which maintains a certain temperature, necessary for storing different types of wines. The third zone is often used to prepare drinks for tasting. In addition, there is a single chamber refrigerator for wine. Home cabinet powered by electricity. When buying bulk models, you should be prepared for impressive electricity bills.
Dimensions and Design
A modern wine fridge is distinguished by a noble and beautiful appearance, so it easily fits into the interior of almost any room. The cost of such products varies between 30-500 thousand rubles. Most models have an exquisite glass door, decorated with tint, absorbing ultraviolet rays. Inside the cabinet, the wine cooler is equipped with special LEDs that do not increase the air temperature and do not violate the internal microclimate. Thanks to this backlight, you can always look at the contents without opening the doors.
What to look for when buying a wine cabinet
In the process of choosing a refrigerator for storing sparkling and fortified drinks, one should take into account several important features that will allow you not to get lost in the proposed range of models. So, the first thing you should pay attention to is the capacity of the equipment. In this case, it all depends on what purpose the wine fridge will be used for. Those who do not belong to the category of collectors can limit themselves to buying a relatively small model.
A modern wine cabinet must have the function of automatically supporting the optimum level of humidity. This is very important, because if this indicator is less than 65% or above 80%, then the inevitable process of cork damage begins. It dries or becomes moldy, as a result of which the drink itself spoils.
Most models are equipped with carbon filters that clean the air entering the cabinet. They need to be changed at least once a year, because the storage conditions of your collection of drinks depend on this.
Custom wine coolers
Today, many manufacturers of such equipment accept individual orders. In this case, the consumer gets an original wine storage cabinet that fits perfectly into the overall interior of the room and meets all your requirements. When placing an order, you can specify not only the design preferences of the unit, but also the desired temperature range.
So, the built-in refrigerator not only provides optimal conditions for storing wines, but also integrates perfectly into the furniture set. Such a cabinet can be installed in almost any room, including in the pantry, hallway or kitchen.
When choosing a place for a wine refrigerator, several nuances must be taken into account. Since the furniture into which the equipment for storing the home collection of drinks will be integrated has small ventilation gaps, it should be located away from stoves and ovens.