Wine On: Why a Wine Fridge is About to Become Your New Favorite Appliance

If you’re anything like me, you’ve found yourself practicing your mixology skills and perfecting the ultimate at-home happy hour in these recent quieter months. And since I already know my favorite cocktail (the margarita!), I’ve focused my efforts on wine, spending hours researching beautiful vineyards to visit, attending virtual wine tastings and trying new bottles from far off destinations. All that effort has made a wine fridge my most essential appliance in 2021, and I know I’m not alone!

From your new vino obsessions from around the world, to old favorites that will enliven your Sunday suppers and weeknight happy hours, having great wine in the house can turn any evening into an occasion. The right wine fridge can make all that – and more – possible.

But what if you don’t yet have a wine fridge? How easy is it to add one and what are the specifications you need to keep in mind before you install? Even though this appliance can be on the smaller side, there are still a number of things to consider before you start your wine fridge hunt.

 

 

For example, how much wine you plan to keep on hand is a great place to start! Knowing whether you’re always on the hunt for that elusive rare bottle or tend to buy your favorite in bulk can help you decide on the size of fridge you’ll need. I recommend erring on the larger side if you think you’ll really be diving into this hobby.

Wine storage should ideally be between 45 and 65 degrees with a humidity level between 50% and 80% to protect your collection. This means you should avoid direct sunlight. That’s pretty difficult to achieve in most homes which is why wine refrigeration is a great solution for longer term storage.

 

 

The ideal area for your wine fridge really depends on your home’s design and personal preference. The kitchen tends to be a favorite spot since it’s the hub of the home. Adding a wet or dry bar near your entertaining area is becoming increasingly popular as well. Imagine hosting a dinner party and being able to choose the perfect wine for each course right from the dining room table! If you have a finished basement where you play pool, watch TV or spend time with friends, unwinding with easy access to a relaxing glass of wine may be your ideal spot. And let’s not forget outside now that the weather is finally starting to turn. Read on for my recommendation on the hot new mobile patio choice!

 

 

That may seem like a lot to consider, but all of it will be worth it as soon as you have all your favorite wines right at your fingertips. Plus, you can gather advice and expertise from design experts like us! Once you’ve zeroed in on your preferred size and dream design for your wine fridge, you can start looking at the latest appliance models available.

 

 

Signature Kitchen Suite Wine Columns: For home cooks and those who want to keep a close watch on the quality of their wine, the Wine Cave Technology in this fridge will help keep your prized bottles protected from the most damaging of elements. You can also connect to the brand’s Signature Sommelier app for recommendations on food and wine pairings based on what’s already in your arsenal. This will help you continue your education long after you install the fridge. If you don’t have room for this full fridge, keep your eye out for the upcoming release of the SKS Undercounter Convertible Drawer Refrigerator that’s only 24-inches.

 

Cafe Wine Center: If you can’t wait for the release of the smaller version from SKS, this undercounter refrigerator by Café is available now. It is a tech-lover’s dream thanks to Wi-Fi connection capabilities, LED light panels, and the ability to remotely change temperature and lighting settings through their SmartHQ app.

  

 

Dacor’s 24-inch WineStation: This integrated wine dispenser stores up to four open wine bottles for 60 days without a loss of flavor. With two separate cooling zones white wine can be cold and red wine can be at room temperature in the same appliance. The WineStation will roll out starting June 1 in both silver stainless steel and graphite stainless steel finishes.

  

 

Plum’s Countertop and Integrated Wine Dispenser: For those who don’t drink wine as often or like to keep finer wines readily available, this design is great because it can hold open bottles for up to 90 days and provide a glass of wine with the touch of a button during that whole time. There’s also a virtual sommelier that offers educational benefits and allows you to create a virtual tasting room right at home. It’s a white tablecloth restaurant experience right in your kitchen!

  

 

Sub-Zero Designer Series Wine Storage: If you have a unique space or want to create an especially sleek design, Sub-Zero’s latest refrigeration offering can be fully customized for you. Choose from freestanding or built-in, column or undercounter in stainless or custom panels to match your cabinetry. They can also be connected to Wi-Fi for remote temperature control, door ajar alerts, and more through a touch screen control panel. Add spill-proof wine shelves onto all that ease and control, and you have a dream beverage center.

 

Dometic MoBar 550 S: Patio-lovers rejoice! The mobile MoBar offers solutions for chilling, preparing, and serving all your favorite beverages in an outdoor environment. We especially like the 550 S model that can hold up to 40 bottles and 155 cans in the dual-zone fridge, plus has a presentation basket that can keep 22 bottles or 32 cans ice-cold. You’ll never run out of sips to share!

 

These models not enough for all your vino? Never fear! We can help you go bigger! If you want something above and beyond the appliance game for your wine, talk to us about adding a wine cellar.

Whether you are new to the world of wine or an expert looking to show off their craft, adding wine storage will help inspire your next meal, become a talking point for guests, and a selling feature for your home. It’s high time your wine had a place to “live” that’s just as beautiful and comfortable as yours!