The 6 Finest Wine Fridges of 2024, In response to Specialists

However these days, whilst you can resort to sticking a number of bottles in a cool space of your own home, there’s additionally the choice to put money into a wine fridge, which supplies you extra management over temperature. “The variables that may unduly speed up the lifespan of a wine—temperature, humidity, mild, and vibration—are pretty properly managed by a wine fridge,” says Carney. A few of our favourite wine fridges, just like the 32-bottle capability Wine Fanatic Twin Zone MAX Compressor Wine Cooler, even have twin temperature zones, which means you may have two racks storing wine at totally different temperatures—fancy!

Single Vs. Twin Zone Wine Fridges 

As we talked about above, some wine fridges provide the choice to have two temperature zones; this characteristic is good when you retailer quite a lot of bottles. Conversely, single-zone fashions, as their identify suggests, provide one zone of temperature management. That each one being mentioned, whereas wines are greatest cellared at totally different temperatures, we don’t suppose it’s a dealbreaker to retailer a number of reds and whites collectively at 57°F. 

Wine Fridges Are Nice for Lengthy-Time period Storage 

Since wine fridges maintain wine in a darkish, temperature-controlled setting, this makes them ultimate for long-term wine storage. Barring {an electrical} outage, this consistency helps guarantee a bottle of wine stays in pristine situation, even when you’re cellaring it for years. The very best wine fridges for this could have tinted doorways and horizontal cabinets, which shield the wine from mild strikes and prevents the cork from drying out, which may result in oxidation. 

That mentioned, some wines aren’t meant to be saved for a very long time. “Some wines are for consuming now, others are for ageing,” says de Nuez. “Major fruit tends to fall away because the wine ages.” Whites, rosés, and a few pure wines are created to showcase delicate fruit and light-weight floral flavors. These bottles are greatest consumed recent and younger. It’s completely high quality to retailer them for a number of weeks and even months, but when they’re saved for too lengthy, the delicate notes will uninteresting over time. If a wine has an artificial cork or a crown cap, that’s signal that it was meant for instant consumption. 

Think about How A lot Wine You Wish to Retailer—and Your House 

“For business functions, it’s not uncommon for a temperature-controlled wine cellar to be custom-built,” says Carney. “[They’re] typically constructed to be displayed within the restaurant to display to their company that after they shell out $800 for a bottle of wine, they are often assured that it has been completely cared for.” 

Whereas dreamy, most folk aren’t seeking to create a literal wine cave of their basement. 

As an alternative, most at-home wine fridges are extra approachable, with capacities starting from as little as 4 bottles to bigger ones, just like the Eurocave, that carry upwards of 146. Which dimension you select relies on how a lot wine you wish to have, although we suggest beginning small for these new to cellaring. Along with contemplating your bottle assortment, it’s good to bear in mind the place you wish to put the fridge since this stuff could be massive (and typically loud).

Particular Options Are Enjoyable, however Not Important

When you decide on a wine fridge that may adequately retailer your bottles, then you may look into ones with upgrades to make your expertise even higher. Some fashions come geared up with touchscreens that assist you to customise settings and simply maneuverable cabinets that’ll take care to not scuff labels. The Rocco Tremendous Sensible Fridge boasts the enjoyable characteristic of having the ability to take stock from the consolation of your cellphone—nice when you understand you’re out of rosé and have a celebration developing (solely barely kidding).

The Standards: What to Search for in a Wine Fridge

When selecting the perfect wine fridge, there isn’t any one-size-fits-all strategy. Think about if you wish to retailer wines at totally different temperatures (through which case, a dual-zone choice is so as), how a lot wine you propose on cellaring, and if the fridge is simple to fill and unload bottles from. Worth is one other issue, and when you’re hesitant to shell out the large bucks, we do have choices which might be below $200. Bonus good options like stock administration by way of an app could be enjoyable additions, although they’re not required. 

Our Favourite, Skilled-Really helpful Wine Fridges 

What we preferred: Sommeliers and wine specialists rave about Wine Fanatic’s assortment of fridges. Carney says The Institute of Culinary Schooling depends on the model for its wine program, which is excessive reward certainly. This mannequin holds as much as 32 bottles, making it appropriate for trade professionals or people simply moving into cellaring. Its dual-zone design lets you customise two separate temperature areas between 41-64°F. It’s additionally quiet, energy-efficient, and releases minimal vibration, which may pace up the ageing course of and taint your sips. Plus, this wine fridge doesn’t take up an excessive amount of area, because it solely requires 4 inches on the again and high for correct air circulation and cooling efficiency.

What we didn’t like: As a free-standing mannequin, this wine fridge could not slot in a selected area in your house, particularly if you’re in search of one to nestle into a selected spot.

Key Specs

• Capability: 32 bottles
• Dimensions: 33.4 x 19.5 x 16.9 inches
• Guarantee: 1 yr components and labor; 3 years sealed system

What we preferred: The Rocco fridge boasts a contemporary design and has a classy ribbed glass panel on the door. It is available in a number of colours, too: stylish white, mustard yellow, and shiny graphite. “It has twin temperature zones and a mid-century vibe (very aesthetic!), and the racks are spacious, with horizontal bars that maintain bottles in place,” Riddley says. “Its high doubles as a bar cart, and it’s comparatively quiet, too.” The good options assist you to toggle between a temperature vary of 37-64º F, and the app (theoretically) allows you to see what’s inside your fridge (name it an “stock administration system” to make it sound skilled). 

What we didn’t like: This mannequin is kind of dear, and when you’re merely in search of a spot to maintain wine at acceptable temperatures, you would possibly discover the good options extreme. The stock administration system may very well be higher at recognizing manufacturers.

Key Specs

• Capability: 27 bottles
• Dimensions: 34.5 x 24 x 16 inches
• Guarantee: 10 years; 30-day risk-free trial 

What we preferred: The Eurocave carries 146 bottles making it a fantastic decide for trade professionals who have to retailer circumstances of wine. It has touchscreen management panels that assist you to toggle the temperature between 43-64°F. Plus, it has an alarm characteristic that notifies you of necessary modifications like humidity ranges so you may shield your bulk purchases. 

What we didn’t like: This fridge emits a low-pitched hum, which could be annoying. It is also fairly an funding when it comes to value.

Key Specs

• Capability: 146 bottles
• Dimensions: 71.85 x 26.8 x 28.3 inches
• Guarantee: 1 yr components and labor, 5 years sealed system (components solely)

What we preferred: This petite, reasonably priced fridge is nice for folk seeking to dip their toes into wine cellaring. Its adjustable cabinets can maintain as much as eight bottles, and the compact fridge suits completely on a counter or bar cart. Plus, its thermoelectric cooling system makes this mannequin quieter and extra vitality environment friendly.

What we didn’t like: It is a single temperature zone fridge—that mentioned, we don’t essentially suppose this can be a con given the value tag.

Key Specs

• Capability: 8 bottles
• Dimensions: 10.5 x 17.5 x 17.25 inches
• Guarantee: 3 years

What we preferred: This mannequin is a good starter equipment for studying easy methods to look after wine. It could possibly maintain as much as 12 bottles and has dual-zone options, which is fairly candy for a $200 decide. Plus, its double-paned glass door helps keep an optimum local weather, making certain that your investments stay fragrant and sophisticated.

What we didn’t like: This wine fridge does run a bit loud, and the guarantee is shorter than others.

Key Specs

• Capability: 12 bottles
• Dimensions: 34.4 x 23.9 x 26.4 inches
• Guarantee: 1 yr

FAQs

What’s the ultimate long-term storage for wine?

The time required to protect wine relies on a number of elements, resembling the kind and taste profile you want to obtain. Wine fridges can help you in monitoring your bottles to safeguard them from potential threats resembling temperature, humidity, mild, vibrations, and improper positioning. In the event you plan to age your bottles, preserving them in a fridge for a number of years is feasible, relying in your objectives. No matter whether or not you plan to age your investments for 5 years or twenty, sustaining them in an optimum setting will assist lengthen their lifespan and keep their high quality.

Do it’s important to retailer totally different wines otherwise?

Several types of wine require particular storage temperatures. For instance, Carney says most reds ought to be saved at 60°F, whereas most whites ought to be stored at 55°F. In case you are uncertain concerning the temperature required for a selected wine, you may test the label on the bottle for additional directions. Twin-zone fridges can be found that can assist you retailer wines in various environments. By preserving bottles within the acceptable local weather, you set your self as much as take pleasure in fragrant and scrumptious pours.

How lengthy does a wine fridge final?

A wine fridge’s sturdiness relies on how it’s constructed and maintained. We suggest buying a mannequin with a top quality guarantee coverage to make sure your funding is protected. Our analysis exhibits that the majority coverages final between three and 10 years

Does the guarantee coverage matter for a wine fridge? 

Relying on the mannequin you select, wine fridges could be pricey. Like all home equipment, they’re vulnerable to mishaps, so it is sensible to put money into one with guarantee. When researching the winners, the perfect coverages ranged from three years as much as ten. 

Why We’re the Specialists

• Ashia Aubourg is a contract author who has labored in kitchens (and on farms). 
• For this story, she spoke to Aubrey Bailey (the primary feminine sommelier on the French Laundry and proprietor of Cadet and Chispa) and Scott Carney (grasp sommelier, and dean of Wine Research on the Institute of Culinary Schooling).
• Madeline Muzzi is an authorized sommelier who has written extensively for Critical Eats. 
• For this piece, Madeline interviewed Daniel de la Nuez of Forthave Spirits and Cesar Vega of Les Vins de Barbichette.