Wine Coolers
- Looking for a wine cooler? On Hi Fi Tower you are just in the right place
- Main differences between freestanding and built-in wine coolers
- Some important facts about wine coolers
- Which extra features to consider before buying a wine cooler?
Looking for a wine cooler? On Hi Fi Tower you are just in the right place
Wine coolers are a must-have appliance for both wine experts and enthusiasts who, to store, age or simply refrigerate bottles at the right temperature. There are many types of wine coolers to choose from: entry-level models are equipped with non-refrigerated wooden shelves to store bottles in an orderly manner, but when it comes to compressor-powered models, the choice becomes much more complex: to find the one that best suits your requirements, it is necessary to carefully observe some very important aspects, to easily find the product that best meets your needs.
On Hi Fi Tower you can find a wide range of wine refrigerators, designed for different types of use. Whether you need a solution for your home or a more robust solution for use in a bar or restaurant, take a look at our product gallery to find the item that best meets your needs. Made with durable materials, and equipped with low consumption compressors to limit energy costs, our wine coolers are a great idea to make the most of your wines in everyday life and, of course, on special occasions. Read on for more information on how these devices work, and to find out what are the fundamental aspects to pay attention to before buying.
Main differences between freestanding and built-in wine coolers
The first element to consider when looking for a wine fridge concerns the structural characteristics: observing these aspects is the first step to make a skimming among the various models on the market. In addition to the wooden wine cellars, which look like shelving for bottles in a horizontal position, we can distinguish two other macro-typologies of products: free-standing and built-in wine coolers.
The differences between these two types are not linked to the operating mechanism, but mainly to their size. Free-standing wine refrigerators have different sizes; it is also important to remember that it is possible to combine two different products, independently creating a wine cooler with a double temperature. Built-in wine refrigerators, on the other hand, usually have standard sizes: about 60 cm width by 60 cm deep and 80 cm high, because they are designed to be installed in traditional kitchen cabinets: although these models can also be equipped with all the optional extras and numerous integrated functions, their capacity is limited compared to free-standing wine fridges. On Hi-fi Tower, however, you can find capacious built-in wine coolers, with almost the same size as a classic refrigerator.
Some important facts about wine coolers
Capacity
The quantity of bottles that can be stored in a wine chiller varies according to the models: products belonging to a high price range are on average larger than the cheaper models. The capacity is usually measured in litres, the minimum capacity usually being about 20/30 litres, a very small value which translates into the possibility of storing about 10 bottles. On the other hand, there is no maximum capacity value, as it is possible to find professional wine cooler fridges on the market that are very large (the most expensive up to a maximum of 800 litres), but which are not suitable for domestic use.
Shelves
The quantity of litres of wine that can be stored in a wine cooler does not coincide with its overall capacity: this is because the internal space of these products is divided into shelves specifically designed to store bottles horizontally. The inclination of the bottle is fundamental both for storing the wine properly and for the delicate ageing process. Experts argue that the bottle should be positioned in such a way as to allow the cork to moisten with wine, to keep intact the aromas and organoleptic properties of the wine. The number of shelves that can be found in a wine cooler is variable and is closely linked to its overall capacity: the more spacious models will allow you to store more than 100 bottles, while the more compact products will be equipped with 2 or 3 shelves of 4 bottles each.
How does a wine cooler work?
The way wine fridges operate is another important element to take into consideration before purchasing a product, as it is closely linked to the use you want to make of them. Also with respect to this factor, we can identify three macro-categories of products: tempered, air-conditioned and hybrid wine refrigerators. Before observing their main characteristics it is necessary to specify that, as with classic refrigerators, the cooling action can be linked to a compressor motor.
- Air-conditioned wine coolers
You should opt for this type of wine fridge if you need to age the bottles and not only keep them for a short time. The peculiarity of these coolers is that they have an internal ventilation system allowing the temperature to remain constant over time, even in the long term. It is important to remember that each wine needs a specific temperature for ageing. - Tempered wine coolers
This type of wine refrigerator is ideal for storing wine and not for ageing. The main characteristic of these models is the fact that they have different temperature zones, to bring the various wines to the ideal tasting temperature. - Hybrid wine coolers
As the name suggests, this type allows both the possibility to age the wine and to preserve it at the ideal tasting temperature. These models are usually equipped with two separate compartments, in which it is possible to set the temperature and humidity levels. The purchase of these products is therefore recommended if you are looking for a more versatile appliance.
How much does a wine cooler consume?
Power consumption must be carefully considered before making the purchase: in fact, wine refrigerators, just like fridges must be regarded as large household appliances that will remain connected to the power socket without stopping, for long or very long periods of time. It is therefore essential to check read the energy label of the product and make sure that the chosen model belongs to a high energy class, to optimize consumption.<
In addition to the energy-saving class, the label usually indicates the average annual consumption, which is generally a rough estimate: to calculate the cost simply multiply the price of 1 kW of energy (which depends on the contract with your energy supply company) by the average annual consumption in kW.
How much noise does a wine cooler generate?
The noise level must also be carefully assessed, especially if you want to install the product in the kitchen or dining room. Since it is a large household appliance that requires a continuous power supply, the energy label also indicates the noise level in decibels. On average, the wine refrigerator produce about 50 dB of noise, a value on average low and comparable to that produced by a normal refrigerator.
Temperature and humidity inside your wine fridge
The possibility of selecting temperature and humidity is one of the key aspects in wine coolers; compared to a normal refrigerator, in fact, in these products the humidity level and the cooling temperature must be selected according to the type of wine and the process to be carried out (conservation or ageing). The most advanced models are equipped with different thermal zones with the presence of different thermostats, each one reserved for a sector of the wine fridge.
With these devices it will therefore be possible to store different types of wine: in fact, we remind you that depending on the vintage and the type of grape, the bottle will need different storage temperatures, as shown in the following table:
| Wine type | Temperature | Humidity |
|---|---|---|
| Red wine (aged) | Between 10° C and 18° C | Between 65% and 75% |
| Red wine (young) | Between 10° C and 12° C | Between 70% and 80% |
| Rosé | Between 6° C and 8° C | Between 70% and 80% |
| White wine | Between 6° C and 12° C | Between 70% and 80% |
| Champagne and prosecco | Between 4° C and 12° C | Between 65% and 80% |
This table shows the ideal temperatures for the conservation of the various types of wine, it being understood that each bottle has its particular characteristics, linked to the specific aromas and the type of grape. Before proceeding with conservation or ageing we, therefore, advise you to read carefully the information on the label, to make sure you are setting the right temperature for storage.
Which extra features to consider before buying a wine cooler?
There are many options available for the wine coolers: these special functions not only optimise the performance but also affect their design and practicality of use. Which options can be found in the wine refrigerators and what are they used for? Here’s a small list:
- LED display: this is a common feature, also available in the entry-level models. Its presence allows a better interface between the user and the product: and you’ll be able to set the temperature and humidity simply and quickly. Displays often come with soft-touch buttons to control the different settings
- Anti-vibration system: for correct conservation of the wine the bottles mustn’t be subjected to vibrations. This function allows limiting the movements inside the wine cooler to ensure that the bottles are kept in an optimal position
- Activated carbon filter: this is a filter integrated with the ventilation system that purifies the air inside the wine refrigerator
- Automatic defrosting: this program allows the automatic elimination of water accumulations, to prevent the creation of zones with temperatures lower than those you set
- ”Party” mode: this function is linked to the possibility of having zones with different temperatures. Coolers equipped with this function will have a compartment independent of the others in which it will be possible to store bottles to be used on a special occasion. These bottles can be stored at different temperature; opening the compartment in which they are stored will not compromise the temperature of the other areas of the cooler
- Lock: this optional is very important for those who want to store or age bottles of a certain value: by locking the wine cooler you can avoid unpleasant surprises
- Alarm: in addition to the lock, in the more advanced models it is possible to set an acoustic alarm that will signal the opening of the doors. This function is useful not only against theft but also against forgetfulness, as it will alert you when doors are left open