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

However these days, whilst you can resort to sticking a couple of bottles in a cool space of your own home, there’s additionally the choice to put money into a wine fridge, which provides you extra management over temperature. “The variables that may unduly speed up the lifespan of a wine—temperature, humidity, mild, and vibration—are pretty effectively 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’ll be able to 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 function is right in case you retailer quite a lot of bottles. Conversely, single-zone fashions, as their identify suggests, supply one zone of temperature management. That each one being mentioned, whereas wines are greatest cellared at totally different temperatures, we don’t assume it’s a dealbreaker to retailer a couple 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 perfect for long-term wine storage. Barring {an electrical} outage, this consistency helps guarantee a bottle of wine stays in pristine situation, even in case you’re cellaring it for years. The most effective wine fridges for this could have tinted doorways and horizontal cabinets, which defend 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 contemporary and younger. It’s completely positive to retailer them for a couple of weeks and even months, but when they’re saved for too lengthy, the refined notes will uninteresting over time. If a wine has an artificial cork or a crown cap, that’s a superb signal that it was meant for rapid consumption. 

Contemplate How A lot Wine You Need to Retailer—and Your Area 

“For industrial functions, it’s not uncommon for a temperature-controlled wine cellar to be custom-built,” says Carney. “[They’re] usually constructed to be displayed within the restaurant to display to their visitors 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 a substitute, 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 need to have, although we advocate beginning small for these new to cellaring. Along with contemplating your bottle assortment, it’s good to bear in mind the place you need to put the fridge since these items will be massive (and typically loud).

Particular Options Are Enjoyable, however Not Important

When you choose a wine fridge that may adequately retailer your bottles, then you’ll be able to look into ones with upgrades to make your expertise even higher. Some fashions come geared up with touchscreens that can help you customise settings and simply maneuverable cabinets that’ll take care to not scuff labels. The Rocco Tremendous Good Fridge boasts the enjoyable function of with the ability to take stock from the consolation of your telephone—nice in case you understand you’re out of rosé and have a celebration arising (solely barely kidding).

The Standards: What to Search for in a Wine Fridge

When selecting the most effective wine fridge, there isn’t any one-size-fits-all method. Contemplate if you wish to retailer wines at totally different temperatures (by which case, a dual-zone choice is so as), how a lot wine you propose on cellaring, and if the fridge is straightforward to fill and unload bottles from. Worth is one other issue, and in case you’re hesitant to shell out the massive bucks, we do have choices which can be below $200. Bonus sensible options like stock administration through an app will be enjoyable additions, although they’re not required. 

Our Favourite, Professional-Really useful Wine Fridges 

What we favored: 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 execs or people simply entering into cellaring. Its dual-zone design permits you to 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 particular area in your house, particularly in case you are in search of one to nestle into a specific spot.

Key Specs

• Capability: 32 bottles
• Dimensions: 33.4 x 19.5 x 16.9 inches
• Guarantee: 1 12 months elements and labor; 3 years sealed system

What we favored: The Rocco fridge boasts a contemporary design and has a classy ribbed glass panel on the door. It is available in a couple 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 sensible options can help you 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 sort of expensive, and in case you’re merely in search of a spot to maintain wine at applicable temperatures, you would possibly discover the sensible 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 favored: The Eurocave carries 146 bottles making it an ideal choose for trade professionals who have to retailer instances of wine. It has touchscreen management panels that can help you toggle the temperature between 43-64°F. Plus, it has an alarm function that notifies you of vital adjustments like humidity ranges so you’ll be able to defend your bulk purchases. 

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

Key Specs

• Capability: 146 bottles
• Dimensions: 71.85 x 26.8 x 28.3 inches
• Guarantee: 1 12 months elements and labor, 5 years sealed system (elements solely)

What we favored: This petite, inexpensive 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 matches 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: This can be a single temperature zone fridge—that mentioned, we don’t essentially assume this can be a con given the worth tag.

Key Specs

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

What we favored: This mannequin is a good starter equipment for studying methods to take care of wine. It might maintain as much as 12 bottles and has dual-zone options, which is fairly candy for a $200 choose. 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 12 months

FAQs

What’s the perfect 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 targets. 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 a must to retailer totally different wines in another way?

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. If you’re not sure concerning the temperature required for a specific wine, you’ll be able to examine 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 applicable 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 advocate buying a mannequin with a top quality guarantee coverage to make sure your funding is protected. Our analysis reveals that almost all coverages final between three and 10 years

Does the guarantee coverage matter for a wine fridge? 

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

Why We’re the Consultants

• 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 a licensed 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.