A wine cooler is a great device that will basically perform two functions:
- maintain wine at the ideal drinking temperature (which is often warmer than the typical fridge will do)
- create ideal conditions for conservation (constant, mild temperature)
So, how should you select your model?
First, you have to determine how many bottles you want to store. While this may seem trivial at first, it really depends on how long you intend to store your wine, and how many bottles you want to have ready for tasting. If you have some premium wines and want to let them age in your wine cellar, you will probably need quite a lot of space, because of the long conservation time.
For instance, if you would like to let some bottles age for 2 years and drink one of them every month, you will need at least 24 places in your cellar (12 months/year * 2 yr). And this is only to drink one bottle/month! Of course, if you buy your wines already at their best age, and don't drink much, you will need a lot less space.
We have 4 size categories, from very small (1-6 bottles) to large (more than 32 bottles). Try to figure out what you intend to do with your wine (have a few bottles ready for tasting, let some bottles age, etc), and use this to estimate the best size for you.
Once you have determined the best capacity for your needs, you have the following choices:
Single zone wine coolers maintain a uniform temperature for all the bottles. This is best if you have only one type of wine (red or white), or if you intend to use your cellar for long-term conservation only (in which case you can have the same temperature for red and whites, around 55).
For tasting, the best temperature for white wines is usually 45-50, and for red wines 60-65. However there may be exceptions for specific wines, in which case the winemaker usually discloses the best temperature.
If you want to store red and white wines at the same time, and have them ready for drinking, then a dual zone cooler is the best choice. This will allow you to maintain the best drinking temperature simultaneously for red and whites.
Another possibility is to use one zone for long-term conservation (red & white together, at 55), and the other zone to "prepare" the wine for drinking (in which case you adjust the temperature according to the type of wine).
There are essentially two types of cooling technology: thermoelectric and compressor.
The compressor type is the same technology you have in your typical fridge. It has the advantage to be more powerful, which means you will usually find this technology in large coolers. However, as you know from your usual fridge, it produces a few vibrations and noise. While these are usually very limited, it might be bothersome depending on where the unit is placed.
Another potential drawback is that vibrations may not be optimal for long-term aging. However, the wine coolers we sell have been specifically designed for the purpose of storing wine, and as such impose very low vibrations to the wine.
The other technology is based on the thermoelectric effect (also known as Peltier effect). It allows to produce cold directly from electrical energy, without any mechanical part. As a consequence, the device is totally silent and vibration-free.
Most small units use this technology, which at the same time allows to place the device anywhere without disturbing anyone. The silent operating is also very pleasant and appealing.
This is of course a matter of personal taste. Most units have a modern, stylish design, that will perfectly fit in most interiors. Others have a more traditional look. Various shapes are available, from towers that take few place on the floor to elongated shapes.
And finally, remember that your wine cooler is a true piece of furniture, and as such may also have a decorative function!
