Wine Refrigerator Buying Guide

A wine refrigerator offers the same cooling abilities as a standard refrigerator, but the functions are specifically designed for wine. These appliances are very strictly temperature-controlled as wine is a delicate drink. It can spoil or turn if you store it incorrectly. The goal of a wine refrigerator is to create an ideal environment for your bottles, balancing the light exposure, temperature, humidity and movement as much as possible. This will preserve your wine far longer than a standard fridge would. The best part of these appliances is that they offer a smaller footprint with their compact construction and they're easier on the wallet than a large wine cabinet or a completely renovated wine cellar in your home. Purchasing a completely new refrigerator just for your wine may seem superfluous, but here are just a few reasons why these appliances are truly worth it:

Typically, wine refrigerators are split into two types: freestanding and built-in/undercounter. Choosing between these styles is dependent on your overall needs, your kitchen layout and your budget. Freestanding wine refrigerators are standalone appliances that are both portable and easy to place in any room in the home. Because they don't require extensive connections like built-in fridges do, the price points are usually lower. It's important to note that these models ventilate either from the rear vents or side vents, so they need more space to breathe and release hot air safely. Installing freestanding wine refrigerators into cabinetry is not recommended. If you plan on executing a kitchen remodel in the future, though, freestanding models will make the process much easier since you can move them around as needed.

Built-in wine refrigerators, on the other hand, are designed to be installed among kitchen cabinets. They ventilate through the front of the appliance instead. These models can be installed between existing cabinetry or beneath a kitchen counter, allowing for flush placement and a sleek kitchen aesthetic. Both freestanding and built-in wine refrigerators offer flexible placement in different ways.

Choosing a wine refrigerator size often relies upon your wine-drinking habits. How many wine bottles do you plan on storing? Are you a casual wine drinker, a wine enthusiast or a full-on wine collector? Keep in mind that wine is best stored by laying the bottle on its side rather than standing it vertically, so a model with spacious shelves is always the best option. An average wine refrigerator can store 20 to 30 bottles of wine, but truly, you can break the fridge sizes between small, medium and large. Small models can store between two to 40 bottles and range from 10-20 inches wide. Medium models can store between 40 to 100 bottles and are typically 24 inches wide. Large models can store between 100 to 200 bottles and while most are also 24 inches wide, they grow in height as the need for wine bottle capacity increases. If you live in a small area and truly do not have space for any of these sizes, Abt also carries products like cooling cylinders that can be built into your countertop.

Temperature control and humidity control are just as they sound. Does your wine refrigerator maintain a consistent temperature and a balanced amount of humidity? These are specifications to look at when browsing online or good questions to ask your salesperson when shopping at Abt. But why does this matter? Big changes in temperature within a wine refrigerator can cause the wine to age prematurely. The aging of wine simply refers to the way in which the texture, color and flavors evolve and change over time. If wine ages past its prime, it will spoil, resulting in a not-so-good taste or smell. A wine refrigerator with a temperature control feature will work to keep a precise temperature to promote preservation. Humidity control is especially important if you mostly buy wine with corks. To help preserve the composition and flavor of corked wine, you want to prevent the cork from drying out. A humidity control feature will eliminate this issue for you.

Do you have a good palate? Are you an enjoyer of red and white wines, sparkling wines and rosés alike? Just as each wine flavor is different, how they need to be stored is different as well. When a wine refrigerator has separate sections with different temperatures, these are called cooling zones. Some fridges have one zone or two zones and the larger capacity wine refrigerators may even provide multiple. If you typically stick to red or white wine, a single-zone wine fridge will do the job. Single-zone wine refrigerators are more cost-effective, great for long-term storage and are typically smaller in size. If you enjoy both red and white wine, a dual-zone wine fridge will be more up your alley. Dual-zone wine refrigerators feature a partition that separates the different cooling zones and are larger than single-zone units. If you're wondering what temperature your wine should be stored at or why the temperature is so important to your wine preservation, you can check out our wine temperature guide for more information.

Another precaution to take in order to perfectly preserve your wine is preventing sunlight from making contact with your bottles. Sunlight exposure can also cause your wine to age prematurely. This is why we recommend searching for a wine refrigerator model with UV-protected glass. UV-protected glass is double or triple-glazed or even triple-paned. It's designed to filter out UV rays and protect your wine from aroma, taste and color degradation. This may not be a high-priority feature when shopping for wine refrigerators if your unit will be placed somewhere darker in the home, but it's still important to consider.

Traditionally, before wine cellars were ever created, wine was stored in underground caves. While this was ideal as caves are dark, it was also perfect because caves are still. They do not move. The problem with refrigerators is that they vibrate naturally as they operate, no matter how small that vibration is. Unfortunately, vibrations can disrupt the tannins of your wine, which will change the flavor as well. Wine newbies may be asking: what are tannins? Tannins typically come from grape skins and play a large part in the acidity and structure of red wines. If you're enjoying a "dry" wine, that dry sensation in your mouth can mostly be accredited to the tannins. Wine refrigerators are naturally designed to minimize vibration, but it's still important to note the two different systems they may use and how they will affect both the noise levels and energy efficiency of your appliance.

Wine refrigerators run on either a compressor or a thermoelectric system. Compressor systems will push chemical refrigerant through the coils in your unit, cooling the air whenever your appliance detects the interior temperature increasing. This is quite similar to a standard refrigerator. Compressor units are heavier, noisier and less energy efficient than thermoelectric units, but they can cool more wine bottles faster and all at once. Thermoelectric systems, on the other hand, push electricity through a heat pump in order to pull the heat outside of your wine refrigerator whenever it's detected. Thermoelectric units are lightweight, energy-efficient and operate quietly. On the flip side, it will take longer for your wine to cool and they often offer less storage capacity.

The cosmetic style of your wine refrigerator may be the last priority on your list, but having a basic idea of what you like is best, as no one wants a mismatched appliance in their home. Abt offers basic finishes like stainless steel and white, but we also have more unique choices like matte black, clear, platinum, gray and even blue and purple. We also have wine refrigerators that are compatible with custom panels, so you can conceal your fridge within your existing cabinetry. Do you have little ones in the home who may poke and prod the outside of your appliance? Check out models with safety locks or even fingerprint-resistant finishes, as they reduce the amount of exterior cleaning your fridge will need over time.

Another specification to consider is adjustable racks. If you notice that your wine bottles come in different shapes and sizes, choosing a refrigerator with racks that can be changed to different heights will make wine storage much easier. No one wants to spend time sifting through shelves and shelves of bottles to find the exact one they want. Make the search easier by investing in a wine refrigerator with interior LED lighting so each label is illuminated for you. If you have limited space for your wine refrigerator and are worried about having room to open and close your appliance in tighter corners, Abt carries plenty of models with adjustable doors. This means the fridge doors can be reversed or installed on the left or right side of the unit. This will give your wine refrigerator a level of flexibility that allows it to fit almost any space in your home. Lastly, some wine fridges may have a shelf or designed compartment that's ideal for storing wine glasses and other accessories. If you prefer having everything you need in one convenient location, this is something to consider.

Do I need a wine refrigerator?

Where can I buy a wine refrigerator?

Who makes the best wine refrigerator?

What temperature should a wine refrigerator be set at?

If you're just starting to build your wine collection from scratch, now is the best time to invest in a wine refrigerator. These high-quality appliances are guaranteed to keep your wine smelling and tasting fresh. They're also bound to become a statement piece in your home and a great conversation starter between wine lovers alike. As we carry a variety of different units, feel free to shop by brand, size, capacity, finish and more. No matter what you need most for optimal preservation, we are sure to have it. For more general information about the refrigerators we carry, read up on our refrigerator buying guide. We also encourage you to direct any questions you may have about these fridges to our experts at 800-860-3577, so you can purchase the best model for you and your wine.