Storing wine in a wine refrigerator
Temperature, humidity and light. There are many factors that affect the wine you want to store. That's why we've written an article about how to store wine in a wine cooler , and at what temperatures.
Ideal temperatures for storing wine
There is no one right answer because it depends on whether the wine needs to be aged or whether the aging process needs to be slowed down. The cooler the wine refrigerator is set to, the less the wine will age. Cheaper wines that are not to be aged should generally be kept cool to limit the aging process.
That being said, there are some approximate temperatures that you should stay within.
The ideal temperature for storing red wine is 10-16°C .
The ideal temperature for white wine is 10-12 °C .
If you have enough refrigerators or temperature zones, you can choose to store the sparkling wines at approximately 8°C .
Too high temperatures (+18 degrees) cause the wine to age too quickly and lose its flavor and balance. Similarly, if the wine is stored too cold, the wine will also lose its flavor. If you have a limited budget, you can make do with a wine refrigerator with one temperature zone, which you set at 12-14°C. In that case, you should have the red wine at the top and the sparkling wine at the bottom.
The most important thing is that the temperature is stable.
If the wine is stored in unstable environments where the temperature fluctuates greatly, for example near refrigerators/freezers, ovens and stoves, the cork can expand and contract, and there is a risk that the wine will draw in air.
The ideal humidity
Humidity is also important to keep under control, and it is typically recommended that it be between 60 and 75% , preferably as close to 70 as possible.
If the air is too dry, the cork can dry out, increasing the risk of the wine aging too quickly, and in the worst case, the wine can oxidize.
If the humidity is too high, the label can become damp and moldy, which can seep into the cork and ruin the wine.
Choosing a wine refrigerator for a restaurant
If your wine stock is changed quickly, such as in a restaurant, it is not necessary to store the bottles in such a controlled environment. Then it is only important that they are cooled to the right drinking temperature . For this you should also use a wine refrigerator. In this case, however, it is not as important that the wine is stored in an expensive cabinet made of special materials, as it is when the wine is to be stored over a longer period.
If there is no room for more wine coolers in the restaurant, you should have one with at least 2 temperature zones . Otherwise, you will not be able to serve both red and white wine at the ideal temperature.
Vestfrost WFG 185
Wine cooler for 197 bottles, with multizone, so you can regulate the temperature at the top and bottom separately. In the middle, the temperature is in between. With alarm, Frost Safety, UV filter and lock. Ideal for long-term storage.
Temptech Classic CL180SB
Wine cooler from Temptech in a modern Scandinavian design, equipped with a front of 2-layer glass with UV protection. It has space for up to 166 bottles, depending on the type. The advantage of this model is the many shelves, so you don't have to stack the bottles. The wine cooler is suitable for long-term storage of wine. 5-year warranty!
The location of the wine refrigerator in the restaurant
You should never place your wine cooler in a room that is too warm. If the refrigerator is in a room that is 30 degrees Celsius and the cabinet has to cool the wine down to 8 degrees Celsius, the cooler will quickly start working overtime. This puts you at risk of the wine cooler breaking down. And, if you don't notice it in time, this can ruin the expensive wine.
Choosing a wine refrigerator for private use
When private individuals need a wine refrigerator, it is because they will be using it to store wine for a longer period of time. Therefore, it is typically more important for private individuals that they get a good wine refrigerator. Preferably one with:
- Tinted glass
- UV filter
- Low vibration compressor
- LED lights, so it looks a bit nice.
The location of the wine refrigerator at home
Even in the private home, it is important to find the right place. For example, the wine cooler should not be placed directly next to a household refrigerator or oven, as this can cause vibrations and high temperatures.
Many people who live in smaller houses would like to have the wine cooler in a garage or shed, but if it is not insulated and preferably heated, it will create slightly unstable conditions with high heat in the summer and low heat in the winter.
Wine coolers for smaller needs (e.g. cafes)
There are many who do not need a cabinet for 150 bottles, but who would like a small model in good quality. Here we can recommend this one:
Tefcold TFW200-2S
Small stainless steel wine cooler with space for 46 bottles. It has two temperature zones that can be set with a maximum temperature difference of 7°C, which means that you can, for example, store white wine at 9°C in one zone and red wine at 16° in the other zone.