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Choosing a wine storage cabinet
May 5th
One of the best things about being alive is surely the joy of savouring a good glass of vino. Whether is a goblet of red sipped slowly by the fireside, the chilling refreshing sensation of a crisp chardonnay during the day or the magical fizz of champagne to celebrate there are few things that truly compare. A key to enjoying these drinks is they must be at optimum drinking temperature and wine coolers ensure that this is never a problem.
Contrary to popular opinion a useful wine storage cabinet is not the domain of serious collectors or large restaurants only. The truth is that any person who enjoys a tipple and has a few bottles they would like to store should definitely be making use of these. This is even more vital if one intends to store it for a few years, in order to mature optimally wine needs to be kept at a constant temperature.
The types of fridges required to store a collection in this manner start very basic and keep getting fancier. A basic model will be able to hold something like 18 bottles. Temperature is the most important consideration but there are other factors that come into play. Humidity and vibrations are two other things that could be to the detriment of a budding vintage collection.
The right type of cooler will avoid all these pitfalls and preserve the beverage till it is ready to be enjoyed. Some fridges are dual temperature units meaning they are cognisant of the fact that red and whites have different recommended temperatures and adjust the air vents accordingly.
The bottom line is anybody wanting to enjoy all the benefits of drinking a decent glass while its at its best, no matter how old the bottle is, should take a closer look at wine coolers.
Whats a wine cooler?
Feb 13th
A wine refrigerator, also called a wine cooler, is made especially to chill your wine to the perfect serving temperature for great taste every time.Ideally wine is stored in a wine cellar – most people think this is to keep cool. It is to a certain extent, but most importantly its to keep the wine at a constant temperature.
The best temperature for most wines is lower than what you think… more like 16- 18 degrees and not room temperature as in the commonly help belief. If you don’t have a cellar, like most people, then a wine cooler is intended to keep the wine at a good consistent temperature. Rich, red, and full-bodied wines are best served between 15-19 degrees C. If you’re going to be using your wine refrigerator for long term storage, choosing a temperature at the lower range will give you the best results.
Wine should always be stored on its side, to ensure the cork doesn’t dry and contaminents permeate the wine inside. On the outside of the bottle its also important to keep the air at humid, and most cellars provide this naturally, but if you are buying a wine cooler, then find one with humidify built in.
The choices open to you include dual or single temperature cellars, and its essential to ensure they have a charcoal filter built in so that the air inside doesn’t get contaminated in any way.