Why Wine Refrigerators are a Wine Lover’s Best Friend
The best wine refrigerator is essential for the long-term preservation of your wine and maintaining the highest quality of taste for serving. We can help you find the best wine refrigerator for your lifestyle and needs.
Chances are, if you are a serious wine lover, you will have considered purchasing a wine refrigerator as you try to stack bottles of your newest flavor of the month into the fridge next to the milk and leftovers.
Storing your corked wine in an upright position in a regular fridge can make the cork dry out and shrink, which in turn leads to air entering the bottle and changing the flavor. However, laying the wine on its side will allow the cork to stay moist and maintain its quality.
Having a specific fridge for your wine also ensures that it will be kept at the perfect temperature for preservation and serving.
Our Top Pick
Of all the Italian wine coolers we have reviewed, the Koolatron WC20 Thermoelectric Wine Cooler is by far our top pick! It is priced very reasonably and considering it has a 20 bottle capacity and still is of such high quality.
It also comes with UV reflecting glass to protect your wine collection and interior LED lighting, and a digital temperature gauge on the exterior of the refrigerator.
It is a stylish and modern design that is freestanding, so it will fit wherever you desire a wine fridge inside or outside your home. The only issue with this refrigerator is that it has a single temperature zone, so for those wanting to store both red and white wine simultaneously, you may wish to purchase a dual-zone.
Top Wine Cooler Picks
- Koolatron WC20 Thermoelectric Wine Cooler – Best overall (our top pick)
- NutriChef 12 Bottle Wine Cooler Refrigerator – Best compact
- Ivation 12 Bottle Compressor Wine Cooler Refrigerator – Best for budget
- AAOBOSI 24 Inch Beverage and Wine Cooler Dual Zone 2-IN-1 – Most versatile
- Kalamera 24” Wine Cooler Refrigerator – Best for high end
- WIE 18 Bottle Wine Cooler Refrigerator – Best for mid-range
Best Wine Refrigerator Reviews
Koolatron WC20 Thermoelectric Wine Cooler
Amazon’s Choice for “#1 Best Seller in Freestanding Wine Cellars”
Best Overall
The Koolatron Thermoelectric Wine Cooler is the perfect mid-size wine cooler at a reasonable price for use in the everyday home. It has a capacity of 20 standard 750ml bottles that can be stored horizontally and has five removable metal racks.
The refrigerator has a single temperature zone, ranging between 46-66 degrees Fahrenheit (7.77- 18.88 degrees Celcius) with digital control on the fridge’s exterior to set your desired climate and operate the subtle LED lighting to highlight your collection. The glass door is protected with UV reflecting glass to protect your wines from harmful UV rays, and the wine racks are removable.
The stylish and compact design goes perfectly in any home, and the fact that it is freestanding means you can put it anywhere in the home as long as there is suitable room near the ventilation. It comes with simple installation instructions and rests on four-leg supports for stability.
Customers have very positively reviewed it, although the only downside some have mentioned is that the fan that is constantly running can be loud. The refrigerator is made from stainless steel and measures at 15.75 x 20.25 x 21.25 inches, weighing 32 lbs.
Pros | Cons |
Reasonably priced | Loud fan |
Great additional features |
NutriChef 12 Bottle Wine Cooler Refrigerator
Best Compact
This slimline refrigerator from Nutrichef is ideal for those with a small living space. Although it is compact, it has a capacity for 12 bottles of wine! The stylish stainless steel design will fit seamlessly into any home decor, and it comes with a tall bottom shelf for standing bottle storage to show off your collection.
A digital touch control on the fridge’s exterior can be set in Celsius or Fahrenheit and range from 41-64 degrees Fahrenheit (5-17.77 degrees Celcius). It is also equipped with LED lighting, reinforced glass and is free-standing to be placed anywhere in the home.
It has simple installation and lays low to the floor for stability. Just ensure you leave 6 inches between the sides of the fridge and any other surfaces to allow adequate ventilation.
The circulation fan runs with minimal noise, so it won’t keep you or your family awake at night. It even comes with a one-year satisfaction guarantee, so if you do not love your purchase, you can return it. It is a single zone refrigerator meaning it would only be suitable for whites or reds at a time.
It has been ranked number 5 in freestanding wine cellars on Amazon and measures at 9.9’’ x 19.7’’ x 25.0’’ and weighs 28.2lbs. Some customers have reviewed that it does not fit 12 standard bottles due to the size of the racks. However, it would hold 12 skinny bottles.
Pros | Cons |
Compact | Small Capacity |
1-year satisfaction guarantee |
Ivation 12 Bottle Compressor Wine Cooler Refrigerator
Amazon’s Choice in “Freestanding Wine Cellar by Ivation”
Best for budget
This is another compact refrigerator with a 12-bottle capacity that is quite similar in many ways to the NutriChef refrigerator reviewed. However, it comes with a very reasonable price tag and would be perfect for those on a budget who need a basic model with a smaller capacity.
The door comes with a perfect insulated seal to lock in the temperature and moisture, while the dual-pane glass leans UV-blocking for extra protection for your wine. The temperature ranges between 41-64 degrees Fahrenheit ( 5-17.77 degrees Celcius) and can be controlled on the exterior by the digital control system.
The racks are removable and should easily fit 12 skinny bottles of wine. It comes complete with LED interior lights to highlight your collection. There is also a safety locking feature for extra security. When purchasing this model, you will have a 1-year limited manufacturer’s warranty.
Despite its slimline size, the refrigerator is sturdy and durable for use inside or outside the home. It comes in handy to be able to install a wine cooler in your kitchen, and this machine is the perfect size to do so. It is also effortless to install; just plug in and wait for your wines to chill!
It is a single temperature zone, which is not suitable for storing white and red wine simultaneously. It has been ranked number 4 in freestanding wine cellars on Amazon and measures 9.92 x 17.72 x 31.18 inches, and weighs 37.5 lbs.
Pros | Cons |
Compact | Small Capacity |
1-year limited manufacturer’s warranty | |
Cost-effective |
AAOBOSI 24 Inch Beverage and Wine Cooler Dual Zone 2-IN-1
Most Versatile
This is a versatile option for those who regularly entertain guests and want to have several different beverage options for guests or for households who are split into white/red wine and beer lovers. In addition, it has a dual controlled temperature zone so that you can have either two types of wine or any other beverage at its temperature!
The shelves are great as they will fit any beverage, not just wine, and it has a capacity of 18 bottles of wine and a whopping 57 cans of beer! This is sure to be a party favorite and for added security, it has a locking system on the front to protect your beverages.
The left temperature zone ranges from 35-50 degrees Fahrenheit (1.66-10 degrees Celcius) and the right from 41-64.4 degrees Fahrenheit (5-18 degrees Celcius). Your drinks are illuminated by blue interior LED light. With the ventilation on the front of the machine, you can safely store this freestanding model anywhere in the home!
It is an easy-to-install system, and the high-quality stainless steel frame is sturdy for long-term use. In addition, the cooling fan and system run quietly, so you won’t have to worry about battling with the noise at your party.
This wine refrigerator has been ranked number 8 in freestanding wine fridges on Amazon, and measures 38.5 x 27 x 27 inches, and weighs 134.5 lbs. Customers have reviewed that the wooden shelves are great for storing beer but can feel a little unsteady when storing several bottles of wine.
Pros | Cons |
Dual Zone Temperature Control | Shelves feel flimsy |
Versatile |
Kalamera 24” Wine Cooler Refrigerator
Amazon’s Choice in “Built-in Wine Cellars by Kalamera
Best for High-End
The Kalamera wine cooler refrigerator has been ranked number 1 in Amazon for built-in wine cellars, and it is not hard to see why! This model is a high-end product for wine connoisseurs.
It has dual temperature zones, perfect for storing red and white wine at once, and comes with memory-controlled temperature zones, meaning if the power goes off and comes back on, the refrigerator will remember the last setting and keep your wine from being damaged by a change in temperature.
The top zone ranges from 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit (4.44-10 degrees Celcius), and the lower zone between 50-66 degrees Fahrenheit ( 10-15.55 degrees Celcius), and they can both be controlled by the digital temperature control on the exterior of the machine. The total capacity of both zones is 46 standard to large bottles of wine.
The stainless steel frame has two layers of tempered glass to stabilize temperature levels and prevents the glass from fogging up. The refrigerator also has an automatic defrosting function that works every 6 hours, and Kalamera is the unique design to incorporate a white air outlet.
The installation is slightly more complex than other fridges; however, that is just to ensure it is completely stable and durable whether you want it to be built-in or freestanding. There is a comprehensive instruction manual for setting it up, which users should follow.
It is a built-in design, so it can perfectly fit into your cabinetry and become part of your home, or it can be used as a freestanding unit. The stylish stainless steel design with subtle interior LED lights should complement any interior design. The product measures 22.4 x 23.4 x 33 inches and weighs 121.7 lbs.
Pros | Cons |
Dual Zone Temperature Control | Expensive |
Built-in or freestanding |
WIE 28 Bottle Wine Cooler Refrigerator
Best for mid-range
The WIE wine cooler refrigerator is a great mid-range option for those who do not need a dual-zone refrigerator but still need a large-capacity fridge. This model comfortably fits 28 bottles and has removable shelves with an optional wine glass rack holder for chilling your wine glasses before serving.
It is a freestanding machine and will fit anywhere around the home or even outside. It has a temperature range from 41-64 degrees Fahrenheit (5-17.77 degrees Celcius) and uses compressor cooling to keep the wine at the perfect temperature despite the room temperature. There is also an auto-defrost mode to ensure the wine doesn’t get too cold.
It has been ranked number 17 on Amazon for freestanding wine cellars and measures 16.9 x 17.7 x 33.1 inches, weighing 59.9 lbs. The stainless steel design is sleek and will blend seamlessly into your home decor. The glass is double-paned and UV-resistant to protect the temperature and quality of your wines.
The installation is simple and can be done by the users themselves, as long as they follow the instruction manual. It rests on four legs for stability; just ensure you screw them onto the fridge well! Customers have reviewed that it works very well but can make strange noises when operating. Also, it is slightly larger than advertised, so it did not fit into their cabinetry.
Pros | Cons |
Built-in wine glass holders | Noise when operating |
Large capacity |
What is the Best Wine Refrigerator? How to Pick
Choosing the best wine refrigerator may seem like a daunting task with the amount, variety, and cost of the refrigerators on the market. However, as long as you do your research and know what you are looking for, you will find the perfect fit in no time.
The size of the fridge is a significant factor in the price and space that it will take up in your home. There are options available for chilling 1 or 2 bottles of wine, up to larger models that can hold 50 or so bottles. The size will generally dictate the refrigerator’s capacity, with larger models able to store more bottles of wine.
The refrigerator can also come as a built-in model, perfect for those planning to build their wine cellar into the cabinetry as it features a unique vent system. In addition, the fan will be located at the front of the fridge, meaning you can install it under a countertop without needing an extra room at the back or sides for the ventilation and heat to escape.
If you are not planning to have the refrigerator built into your home’s counters, you can purchase a stand-alone model which will be fine to have anywhere in the house as long as there is room by the ventilation for the heat to escape.
Depending on your lifestyle and where you will store the fridge, you may want to invest in a model that features an alarm system or security locking system. This will ensure the safety of your wine or can act like a child safety lock if you don’t want children accessing the contents of the fridge.
The temperature zone and humidity controls are critical for those who want to store their wine in a specific climate. For example, a dual-zone cooler is perfect for storing whites and reds at their own required temperatures, meaning you do not have to neglect your reds by leaving them at room temperature (which is often actually too warm).
Refrigerators with UV-resistant glass doors are a handy addition for those storing their fridge in an area in direct sunlight to protect the wines from solar damage. It is essential to read reviews from other customers, especially regarding the noise output, as most models claim to run silently, but not all of them do.
If you are looking for a high-end model with all the bells and whistles, you can look for a model with adjustable shelves, reversible doors, an anti-vibration system, and interior LED lighting. These additions may not be essential to store your wine, but for those who want the most convenient and stylish storage solution, they may come in handy!
FAQs on Wine Refrigerators
Should you put wine in the fridge?
We all know that white wine should be served chilled. However, many people think that red wine should be stored at room temperature. This is actually is not always the case. Room temperature is often considered too warm for the red wine to age ideally. While red will require a higher refrigerator temperature than white wine, it is best conserved when refrigerated in a wine fridge at the right temperature.
How long does wine last in the fridge?
If you store each type of wine at the correct temperature and condition, it can last for years! Just make sure you follow the directions to keep every kind of wine (red, white, or sparkling).
If you open a bottle and want to store the rest for later, make sure you use a bottle stopper with a solid seal to prevent any spills or moisture escaping from the bottle from being stored horizontally. Once opened, you should enjoy wine within a few days as it will lose its freshness over this period.
You can also purchase a wine preservation system such as a Coravin that will allow you to pour wine without removing the cork, which will help it last longer in the fridge after your first glass.
How do you put wine in the fridge?
Most wine fridges will have racks to lay the wine on its sides and not upright. This prevents the cork from drying out, which can occur when the wine is stored upright. When laying horizontally, the cork is in constant contact with the liquid of the wine, so it maintains its integrity.
When a cork dries out, it will mean that oxygen enters the bottle and can ruin a good wine bottle. The process is called oxidation and is the number one reason a bottle will become “corked.”
What temperature should a wine fridge be?
The temperature of the wine fridge depends entirely on the type of wine you are storing, but the average cellar is about 55 degrees Fahrenheit (12.77 degrees Celcius). So for storing red wines, you should keep them around 55 degrees Fahrenheit (12.77 degrees Celcius), with some types of reds such as Berrigan notes requiring between 50-68 degrees Fahrenheit (10-20 degrees Celcius).
Whites Rosè’s and sparkling whites should generally be kept between 42 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit (5.55- 10 degrees Celcius). This is why wine fridges are so crucial for preserving wine, as this is much warmer than the average fridge.
For those with a single-zone refrigerator who want to store both red and white, you can keep all bottles between 53 and 57 degrees Fahrenheit (11.66-13.88 degrees Celcius). Although it is not the recommended temperature, it can be a happy medium for both whites and reds.
What is the best temperature for serving white wine?
The ideal temperature for serving will depend on the type of wine you are serving. Sparkling wines such as champagne, Prosecco, and Cava will taste best when served at 42-50 degrees Fahrenheit (5.55-10 degrees Celcius).
Light-bodied white wines such as Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc are best served at 44-50 degrees Fahrenheit (6.66-10 degrees Celcius), whereas full-bodied white wines like Pouilly Fuisse and Viognier will require a warmer temperature at 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit (10-12.77 degrees Celcius).
Why Should You Trust The Proud Italian
At The Proud Italian, we pride ourselves on our knowledge of all things Italian! From perfecting a classic risotto to pairing your wine with your pasta, we are here to guide you every step of the way and bring the magic of the Italian way of life to our readers.
Wine is such an essential part of any Italian meal, and when served correctly, it can complement your food or simply be enjoyed on its own to enjoy the subtle flavors in each bottle. As always, the most expensive product is not necessarily the best, so we hope you use our guide and your research to find the perfect product that suits you and your lifestyle.
Our Final Verdict
Suppose you are a wine aficionado or developing a strong interest in wine tasting. In that case, a wine fridge is an excellent investment for getting the best flavor and prolonging the shelf-life of your favorite wines. Our favorite refrigerator that we recommend for the best value for your money is the Koolatron WC20 Thermoelectric Wine Cooler.
We love this refrigerator as it doesn’t compromise on quality but still carries a very reasonable price tag, especially considering it carries a vast 20 standard bottles of wine. You can purchase the refrigerator today and be sipping on a chilled Pinot Grigio in no time!
You don’t need to be stocking your fridge with the fanciest wines for the refrigerator to be a good investment, as serving even your basic wines at their recommended temperature will enhance the flavor palette enormously.
If you are a red and white wine lover, we would recommend investing in a dual-zone fridge to store both at the same time. However, a dual-zone such as the Koolaron WC20 will do just fine if you want to keep one type of wine!
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