How to Choose the Best Wine Fridge

How to Choose a Wine Refrigerator

Looking to add a new wine fridge to your restaurant, bar, tasting room, or event venue? Finding the right one isn't hard. There are just a few questions to ask yourself as you shop.

How Much Are You Storing & For How Long?

The amount of wine you are storing is obviously going to affect your choice. Different refrigerators have different capacities and types of shelving that affect how much wine they can hold. Something else that will affect the type of cooler you need is the length of time you will be storing the wine. If you will be storing a lot of wine or keeping bottles for long periods of time, you may want to consider building a complete wine cellar rather than relying on a series of smaller wine fridges.

• Bottle Capacity: Wine fridges are available with capacities ranging from just a dozen bottles to nearly 300 bottles. When deciding on one for your business, think about how much capacity you need now and be sure to leave some room for your business to grow over the next several years.
• Type of Shelving: Some types of wine coolers are designed to hold bottles horizontally while others are not. When you are choosing your wine fridge, keep in mind that bottles with natural corks should be stored horizontally if they're going to be kept for long periods of time. If your preferred vintages typically have metal caps or rubber corks this is not as important.

What Types of Wines Are You Storing?

Different types of wine have different ideal storage temperatures. Because of this, you'll want to make sure the unit you buy will accommodate the types of wine you serve.

Wine not a huge part of your business? If you only serve a small selection of wines or your business keeps just a few bottles on hand, 55 degrees Fahrenheit will work for most types of wine if the temperature stays consistent.

• Number of Zones: Decide whether you need the versatility of multiple zones, or the consistency of a single-zone unit.
• Temperature Range: Make sure that the temperature range of the unit you pick will suit your wine reserves.
• Type of Cooling System: Some high-end wine coolers use quiet thermoelectric cooling systems that cool the cabinet without vibrations. Most units will use a refrigeration system with a compressor. The type you choose will depend on the investment you are willing to make and the amount of ambient noise you can tolerate.

Where Are You Storing Your Wine?

Like any other cooling unit, your wine fridge should always be placed on a stable hard surface away from direct sunlight and other large equipment that may cause vibrations or heat. Beyond that, your decisions about whether your wine fridge will be installed in a front of the house area vs. in a storage area will affect the type of unit you need.

• Freestanding vs. Built-In: Some models can be built into countertops to be used behind the bar, but others can stand on their own in bar areas or retail spaces.
• Wine Merchandisers: Looking to show off your favorite vintages or offer bottles from local wineries? Wine merchandisers are made to give customers a clear view while keeping your supply safe and chilled. They're a great choice for customer-facing areas in markets, retail shops, restaurants, and sometimes even tasting rooms.
• Door Styles: If you choose a unit with glass doors, look for multiple panes for insulation and light filtering characteristics to protect your supply from UV rays. Also, you may need door locks to keep your wines safe in customer areas or during off hours.
• LED Lighting: Energy efficient LED lighting is a great feature for wine coolers, especially if you wish to merchandise bottles in customer areas. LEDs are bright but cool and less likely to damage your stock. Plus, blue lights are available in some models to provide classy ambiance.
• Aesthetics: If you want to place a cooler in the front of the house where customers can see it, choose a unit that will look nice in your bar, restaurant, or tasting room. Different styles are available with sleek door frames and finishes that will blend right in with your decor.

How Long Does Wine Last in the Fridge?

After a bottle of wine has been opened, it can typically last between 2 to 5 days depending on the type of wine and how you store it. Using a good stopper can make a big difference.

Remember that the purpose of using a wine fridge in the first place is to protect the profile of the wine by preventing oxidation, exposure to light, and rapid changes in temperature. After you have gone to the trouble of storing your wine properly prior to opening the bottle, use these wine service accessories to keep it fresher longer after the cork has been pulled.