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Connoisseurs sooner or later think about the proper storage of wine for a private collection or for serving in a cafe or restaurant. If you do not have a huge cellar, a wine cooler will be the way out of the situation. It will help to preserve the wonderful taste of the drink in order to fully enjoy its bouquet.
What is remarkable about a wine cooler
Due to the way the refrigerator is arranged, it ensures the safety of the drink in all respects:
- Darkness. The absence of light and ultraviolet rays prevents oxidation, which changes color and taste. Tinted glass protects from UV rays.
- Temperature. The optimum temperature is + 10-14 ° C – then the wine fully reveals its bouquet. In overheated, only alcohol is felt, and in supercooled, all taste qualities are not manifested. Special sensors control the temperature, slowing down the fermentation process.
- Ventilation. The ventilation system in the cabinets for storing wine ensures the absence of foreign odors and mold.
- Humidity should be at least 50% to prevent the cork from drying out and allowing air to enter. Humidity is maintained in cabinets from 75% to 80%.
An important factor affecting the safety of drinks is rest. Since the cooling system of a wine refrigerator is based on a compressor, it is attached in a special way, without coming into contact with the walls. Also, the absence of vibrations is ensured by pallets made of dense wood, equipped with shock absorbers.
The compression principle of operation is based on cooling the air and distributing it in the chamber with the help of fans. Before entering the compartment, the air is cleaned by a carbon filter.
Modern models work on the principle of “weeping wall”. Moisture is absorbed on the walls inside, which flows into the drainage hole and is removed from the system. Electronic control with a display allows you to adjust the parameters of the equipment. Some models have a remote control.
Types of wine refrigerators, characteristics
There are cabinets designed for the home, and there are cabinets for restaurants, bars, cafes. The same companies produce equipment as conventional refrigerators: Ariston, Bosch, Smeg, Electrolux. It is worth choosing depending on the type of wine: some ripen during storage, others “wait” to be opened.
Climatic departments are created for wines that have not yet revealed their potential and must reach certain taste qualities. The technique repeats the climatic conditions of the cellars, maintaining the optimum temperature of 10-14 degrees.
Temperature chambers are not designed for long-term storage. They allow you to prepare the drink for serving, so it is important to consider what varieties you are going to put in them.
- Two-temperature. Such a refrigerator can be two-zone. In one compartment, + 6-10 ° С is maintained, which is ideal for white wine, in the other – + 10-18 ° С for red.
- Three compartments allow you to place sparkling, red and white varieties. Here they can be stored, cooled and brought to room temperature. Level from +16 to +20 degrees is supported.
- Multi-temperature. The number of departments varies from 4 to 6.
Chambers in multi-temperature refrigerators are designed for:
- red wine (16°C);
- sparkling (+6°С);
- white, dry red, burgundy, merlot (+12°С);
- pink (+8°С);
- white dry (+10°С).
How to choose the best wine cabinet? Focus not only on the characteristics, but also on the placement possibilities. According to the installation method, they are built-in and freestanding.
Built-in will fit perfectly into the kitchen set, under the countertop. Its dimensions can be 90x60x30 cm. You can also build the equipment into the wall or place it next to each other. There is a corner accommodation option, which is also convenient.
No space to install a freestanding option? Then choose refrigerators with a wine chamber. The climate there is respected as in a cellar. The type of separation operation depends on the motor. If there are two compressors, then the department can work part-time with the freezer.
Freestanding appliances can be narrow and standard. Case height from 28 cm (mini) to 180 cm.
A small home cabinet can hold 18 to 20 bottles. Capacious devices are designed to accommodate from 200 pieces.
Shelf material
When stored, the bottles are placed horizontally. The cork must be lowered into the liquid and not dry out, otherwise air will penetrate, the drink will begin to oxidize and evaporate. For presentation, the collection can be placed at an angle of 45 degrees.
Retractable shelves may have stoppers or plastic plugs at the edges. They are made of tempered glass, wood, polymer, metal. There are also combinations of several materials.
Sometimes the appliance is not equipped with shelves. Instead, there are holes for the neck in the back wall.
Doors
Doors can be deaf. In this case, they are equipped with a registrar, which indicates the date of placement of the wine.
Transparent doors are made of quartz or tinted glass. The shutters can be re-hung on the other side, closed with a key.
Functions and technologies
Useful functionality will help you store wine with convenience:
- Small models are equipped with thermoelectric or absorption cooling. Therefore, the body does not vibrate.
- For installation of equipment in a room without heating, a heating / cooling mode is provided.
- The chamber may have several holes at the level of the shelves for high-quality ventilation.
- The charcoal filter allows only clean air to enter the compartment.
- An audible signal warns of a loose door.
- The presence of the display allows you to monitor the temperature.
- Lava stone is a moisture stabilizer. It absorbs excess and releases it in dry air.
- Elite samples have a retractable bar. This way you can show off your collection. Some models have a humidor – a compartment for cigars.
For prestigious houses and apartments, the design of the equipment must match. Manufacturers offer a wide selection from classic to modern. Finishing is made of natural wood: oak, walnut, cherry.
Bar options are made of plastic and metal. Wheels help move the refrigerator.
Right choice of
To find the perfect option for your collection, pay attention to:
- Capacity (how many bottles will fit in the compartment).
- Housing dimensions, installation method.
- Number of zones and temperature regimes.
- cooling method.
- Organic design.
- Manufacturer brand. There are firms that produce both household refrigerators and wine ones. And there are brands that deal only with special equipment: Tesler, Braun and others.
- Cost.
We have compiled a rating of popular models from reliable manufacturers. Let’s take a closer look at each of them.
Overview of wine coolers
The most popular cabinet brands in 2017, according to customer reviews.
Liebherr WKes 653 Grand Cru
Small model, great bar option. Can be built into a niche. The case is made of metal, dimensions: 61,2×42,5×47,8 cm. The Grand Cru series is the best solution for small spaces and small collections. The chamber holds 12 bottles (0,75 liters).
One zone is divided into three mesh wooden shelves. Multi-temperature mode is regulated by electronic control from +5 to +20 degrees. Climatic conditions correspond to the microclimate in the cellar. The device economically consumes electricity – 75 kW / year (A ++).
Features:
- The possibility of storing wines until they are fully ripe.
- Carbon filter for air purification.
- Forced ventilation.
- The door open alarm will sound after 60 seconds.
- Child lock allows you to save the collection, prevent accidental shutdown.
- At the bottom there is a drawer for accessories.
The door is made of tempered glass. The chamber is hermetically sealed. How much does WKes 653 Grand Cru cost? You can find it for 94 rubles.
Liebherr WKb 4212
Liebherr’s Vinothek cabinet is narrow enough to fit compactly in a kitchen or bar. In total WKb 4212 holds 200 bottles of 0,75 liters. Dimensions: width – 60 cm, depth – 73,9 cm, height – 165 cm. The side walls of the body are made of steel. Tinted glass doors do not let in UV rays.
Inside there are 6 shelves-lattices made of solid wood. The rear wall provides excellent air circulation. The temperature regime from +5°С to +20°С is set on the keypad and displayed on the display.
Features:
- Power Cooling technology effectively cools the air and distributes it throughout the chamber. When the door is opened, a sensor is triggered and the fans turn off to save energy.
- The low vibration compressor will not disturb the storage process.
- The Fresh Air activated carbon filter circulates fresh air into the compartment.
- The control panel helps to control the humidity in the chamber.
- The built-in heater allows you to prepare drinks for serving. For example, red wine is served at +18°C.
- The door is equipped with an open signal and a child lock.
- The door can be re-hung.
Inside there is a backlight for easy selection.
The price is from 75 rubles.
Shallow desktop cabinet for 12 products. Model dimensions: 25,5 × 51,5 × 66,7 cm. Laconic and discreet case design – black steel. The glass door is enclosed in a black frame, the glass is tinted with UV protection. Beautiful figured regiments are chromeplated. Thanks to the thermoelectric system, condensation does not form in the chamber.
- Touch control panel.
- Temperature from +12 to +18 degrees.
- No Frost defrosting system.
- Economical energy consumption, class A – 133 kW per year.
- Carbon filtration technology, high-quality ventilation inside.
Storage in the DAT-12.33DC is convenient and practical. Inexpensive choice – 23 rubles.
Caso WineDuett Touch 21
Two-door device with two zones. The upper compartment is suitable for placing white wine (+7-18°С), the lower compartment is suitable for red wine (+10-18°С). The stylish black case is equipped with tinted glass doors and ergonomic handles. The temperature is separately regulated in each zone. Capacity – 21 bottles.
Cooling is based on the Peltier effect – thermoelectric, so the technique is vibration-free. You can turn on the blue light in the camera. The display shows the operating conditions of the refrigerator.
The cost is from 31 rubles.
Cold Vine C12-KSF1
Works on a compressor. The steel body is made in black, the frame of the glass door is also made of steel, metallic colors. Dimensions: 51,5×39,5×52 cm.
Inside there are three wooden shelves, not varnished. Two sliding shelves on the metboxes can hold 4 bottles of red 0,75 liters each, as well as sparkling champagne. The lower shelf allows you to arrange drinks in two rows. There are 12 pieces in total.
The control panel is located inside the compartment. With its help, you can set the mode from +3 to +22 degrees, as well as turn on the blue backlight. This freestanding refrigerator will be a worthy decoration of your interior.
The price is from 25 rubles.
Vestfrost W 38
The compact two-door cabinet “Westfrost” can be built under the countertop due to its dimensions: 59,5 × 57,3 × 82 cm. There are 38 compartments for placement. Two zones can hold 19 bottles (0,75 l.), and the mode is set individually: from +5°С to +18°С. Therefore, you can use a refrigerator for white and red wine.
Installed charcoal filter. Therefore, the contents are protected from the penetration of foreign odors. The compressor maintains a constant temperature and dampens vibrations. Defrosting is done by drip method.
Two tinted glass doors protect the wine from light. The shelves are made of wood.
The cost is from 71 rubles.
Cavanova CV007T
The Spanish brand is engaged in the manufacture and supply of equipment for storing collections. This is a narrow model where the bottles are stacked on top of each other. There are seven in total. Unusual design allows you to compactly install CV007T between kitchen furniture, in an office or other room.
The door is hermetically closed, has the chromeplated handle on all length. Dimensions: 14,7x54x82 cm. The compressor helps maintain optimal conditions. Adjust the indicators in the range from +5 to +20 degrees.
The price is from 39 rubles.
Pozis SHV-120
Produced at the Sergo plant in Russia. All models are made in the classic style of precious wood. This compressor option can be used for a home collection or for restaurants. Case dimensions: 195x61x60 cm. Capacity – 119 pieces.
Features:
- Quality air is created by carbon filters.
- Electronics maintains a constant temperature: + 5-18 ° С.
- LED-backlight does not heat the air, but economically illuminates the contents, saving 70% of electricity.
- The compressor is equipped with vibration protection.
- Humidity is maintained at 50%.
- Tinted glass on the door prevents UV rays from entering.
- Tilt shelves make it easy to showcase your collection.
- The sliding support from below serves for transportation of a drink.
The cost is from 51 rubles.
Eurocave 013 The Small
The French company is considered a leader in this industry. Several series include both conventional models and custom-made designer products. Model 013 La Petite has a modern design. The compact dimensions of 81x30x45 cm make it possible to install the device on a table, in a headset or elsewhere.
Capacity – 12 bottles. Sowine technology adds new features to the instrument. Now wine can be stored not only closed (10 pcs.), but also open (2 pcs.) Like a mini-bar. The Neofresh feature cools the camera quickly to help conserve energy.
The price is from 110 rubles.
Gastrorag BCWH-68
An excellent choice for restaurants, cafes, shops and home settings. Technique combines two in one:
- The wine area on top consists of two chrome-plated shelves. Can accommodate 8 bottles of 0,75 liters. On the panel, you can set indicators + 8-18 ° С.
- Lower section for drinks. Consists of two shelves. Volume – 0,44 liters.
- There are also grates for cans on the door.
The versatile BCWH-68 serves a variety of purposes. It does not have a compressor, but runs on a thermoelectric device. Swing door.
The cost is 15 rubles.
Shivaki SHW-28VB
Made in Japan, can accommodate a bar. The model is made of steel in black color. Tinted glass door. Comes with XNUMX chrome wine racks. The remaining six trays can be used for vegetables and fruits or soft drinks.
Equipment dimensions: 46 × 51,9 × 73,8 cm. The touch panel will help to set the climate: + 6-18 ° С. The thermoelectric method of operation does not require defrosting of the compartment. The inner walls are covered with an antibacterial layer. Inside is 28 bottles.
The price is from 13 rubles.
Gemlux GL-WC-8W
It is used for short-term placement of wine of any sort. Three wooden lattice shelves accommodate 8 bottles. The temperature is kept from +7°С to +18°С. The principle of operation is compressorless, thermoelectric. The case does not vibrate, so the contents are better preserved.
Dimensions: 25,4×46,3×51,4 cm. Touch control with LCD display. The price is from 8 rubles.
We hope our review will help you make the right choice. If you are a connoisseur of wine, then be sure to choose for yourself the best option for climate technology.