The 6 Greatest Wine Fridges of 2024, Based on Specialists

However these days, when you can resort to sticking a number of bottles in a cool space of your 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, gentle, 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 Enthusiast Dual Zone MAX Compressor Wine Cooler, even have twin temperature zones, that 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 good when you retailer a wide range of bottles. Conversely, single-zone fashions, as their identify suggests, supply one zone of temperature management. That every one being stated, whereas wines are greatest cellared at totally different temperatures, we don’t assume 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 best 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 perfect wine fridges for this could have tinted doorways and horizontal cabinets, which shield the wine from gentle strikes and prevents the cork from drying out, which might result in oxidation. 

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

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

“For industrial 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 reveal 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 trying 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 depends upon how a lot wine you need 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 need to put the fridge since this stuff may be massive (and generally 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 let you customise settings and simply maneuverable cabinets that’ll take care to not scuff labels. The Rocco Tremendous Sensible Fridge boasts the enjoyable function of with the ability to take stock from the consolation of your telephone—nice when 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 one of the best wine fridge, there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all method. Think about if you wish to retailer wines at totally different temperatures (wherein 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 massive bucks, we do have choices which are beneath $200. Bonus good options like stock administration by way of an app may be enjoyable additions, although they’re not required. 

Our Favourite, Skilled-Really useful Wine Fridges 

What we appreciated: Sommeliers and wine consultants rave about Wine Fanatic’s assortment of fridges. Carney says The Institute of Culinary Training depends on the model for its wine program, which is excessive reward certainly. This model 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 might velocity up the growing old course of and taint your sips. Plus, this wine fridge doesn’t take up an excessive amount of house, 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 might not slot in a selected house in your house, particularly in case you are 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 12 months components and labor; 3 years sealed system

What we appreciated: The Rocco fridge boasts a contemporary design and has a trendy 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 preserve bottles in place,” Riddley says. “Its high doubles as a bar cart, and it’s comparatively quiet, too.” The good options let you toggle between a temperature vary of 37-64º F, and the app (theoretically) enables 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 when you’re merely in search of a spot to maintain wine at applicable 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 appreciated: The Eurocave carries 146 bottles making it an important decide for trade professionals who must retailer circumstances of wine. It has touchscreen management panels that let you toggle the temperature between 43-64°F. Plus, it has an alarm function that notifies you of essential modifications like humidity ranges so you’ll be able to shield your bulk purchases. 

What we didn’t like: This fridge emits a low-pitched hum, which may 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 components and labor, 5 years sealed system (components solely)

What we appreciated: This petite, reasonably priced fridge is nice for folk trying 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 stated, we don’t essentially assume it is 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 appreciated: This mannequin is a good starter equipment for studying the right way to take care of wine. It could actually 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 preserve an optimum local weather, guaranteeing 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 best long-term storage for wine?

The time required to protect wine depends upon a number of components, akin to the kind and taste profile you want to obtain. Wine fridges can help you in monitoring your bottles to safeguard them from potential threats akin to temperature, humidity, gentle, vibrations, and improper positioning. In case 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 propose to age your investments for 5 years or twenty, sustaining them in an optimum surroundings will assist prolong their lifespan and preserve their high quality.

Do you need to retailer totally different wines in another way?

Several types of wine require particular storage temperatures. For instance, Carney says most reds needs to be saved at 60°F, whereas most whites needs to be saved at 55°F. If you’re not sure in regards to the temperature required for a selected wine, you’ll be able to 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 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 depends upon 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 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 may be expensive. Like all home equipment, they’re susceptible to mishaps, so it is smart to put money into one with a great guarantee. When researching the winners, one of the best 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 Training).
• 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.