The Best Wine Refrigerators
Wine connoisseurs know that temperature is integral to keeping wine fresh. Instead of suffering from a continually fluctuating temp in your regular fridge, the wine cooler keeps temps steady and protects against unwanted humidity. That way, every sip of your favorite wine is crisp, delicious, and consistently cold.
What to Look For
When we were evaluating our top wine refrigerators, there were a few things we kept in mind: Does it have a single or dual temperature setting? What are the fridge dimensions? How easy is it to install? The front-runner of the group is the Antarctic star refrigerator its advanced cooling system and 12-bottle storage capacity. It’s also ultra-quiet, so you can install it almost anywhere. We also love the Ivation dual-bottle wine cooler that allows you to keep both your whites and reds cool—even at separate temps—making it the ideal option for ultimate wine buffs. Check out these wine refrigerators and more to find your ideal design.
Antarctic Star Wine Cooler/Cabinet
Keeping it chill
The Antarctic Star wine cooler allows you to store your wine at any temperature between 40-61°F. Featuring a reinforced glass door with an air-tight seal, this wine fridge maintains an ideal humidity level for up to 12 bottles of wine, which you can store horizontally. With its customizable rack, you can also store canned beverages both horizontally and vertically. The soft blue LED interior light beautifully showcases your wine without damaging the contents. This unit’s advanced cooling system keeps your beverages at the right temperature without making a noise, which means there’s no vibration to disturb the sediments in your bottles.
Pros:
- A few reviewers had to reach out to customer service and received top-notch care. From replacing parts to walking people through set-up, they all had unbeatable experiences.
- You can fit everything from wine bottles to water bottles in this versatile fridge, allowing you to keep all of your favorite beverages—both alcoholic and non-alcoholic—cold at the same time.
Cons:
- The door closes more easily when the two front-leveling legs are extended slightly.
Kalamera 45-Bottle Wine Refrigerator
A fridge that fits
At 24 inches wide, the Kalamera is designed to be installed into your kitchen cabinetry, making it the perfect built-in wine refrigerator. It delivers even cooling throughout its 45-bottle capacity with an easy-adjustment knob, and with a dual-zone compressor, you can set two separate temperatures, one each for your reds and whites. The entire unit is beautifully crafted in elegant black with gray glass that filters ultraviolet rays to keep your wine protected against premature aging. A seamless, stainless steel frame with a rugged door seal protects your wine against jostling, too. The door is even reversible for this wine fridge, so you can open it from the left or right.
Pros:
- This wine fridge blends the best of form and function for a practical option that also looks sleek and stylish, ensuring you don’t have an eyesore mixed in with your kitchen cabinets. That way, you get a modern and minimal look thanks to the stainless steel and slightly tinted glass.
- It comes in incredibly secure packaging, ensuring that the unit arrives in perfect condition, so you don’t have to worry about broken glass or dents before installation.
Cons:
- There’s no on/off button, so you must control the power by plugging and unplugging the power cord.
Schmecke 12-Bottle Wine Cooler
Keep it compact
At 31″ tall but only 9″ wide, the Schmecke cooler is great for wine lovers looking for a countertop or closet-space wine refrigerator. But don’t judge it by its size. The double-paned glass door not only keeps the interior insulated but also protects your collection from harmful UV light that can damage the tannins and overall flavor of your wine. The reinforced rubber gasket ensures an airtight seal every time, so conditions inside your wine cooler remain ideal. Schmecke’s compressor technology ensures the temperature is not affected by outside heat sources and reaches temperatures low enough to store even sparkling white wines.
Pros:
- This small-but-mighty wine fridge cools down in just a few minutes, so you can start chilling your favorite varietals right away. Some reviewers even reported it reaching temp in just five minutes.
- Each shelf is removable and adjustable, so you can maximize your storage space. That way, you don’t have any forgotten bottles lingering outside of the fridge at room temperature.
Cons:
- There’s an audible “click” when the compressor turns on.
Ivation 33-Bottle Dual Zone Wine Cooler
Twice as nice
Ivation is the perfect wine fridge for people who like to keep their red and white wines at different temperatures. The upper zone has an adjustable temperature range of 54-65°F, while the lower zone ranges from 41–57°F. You can even select Fahrenheit or Celsius settings. Capable of holding up to 33 standard 750ml bottles, this cooler boasts an efficient cooling system and superior insulation that maintain the stable environment needed to protect even the most delicate wines. The advanced-technology compressor doesn’t vibrate, either, so it won’t disturb any sediment in your bottles.
Pros:
- The stainless steel finish and double-paned glass door deliver a sleek and impressive look that effortlessly blends in with other high-end appliances for a cohesive look to your space.
- For bottles larger than 750ml, the wine cooler has a bottom section that can accommodate unusual bottle shapes or sizes. That way, all of your wine stays cool and ready to drink.
Cons:
- The door cannot be reversed, so it can only open in one direction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the proper temperature for serving white wines?
Lighter white wines should be served between 45-50°F. That includes Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Chablis, and others. Bolder white wines — including Chardonnay, Viognier, and other whites with oak aging — should be served between 50-55°F.
Should red wines really be chilled?
Most experts agree that red wine is best served between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Lighter reds should be closer to 55 degrees, while heavier reds like Cabernet Sauvignon should be slightly warmer. Of course, any kind of wine-drinking advice is just that: advice. Drink the kind of wine you like the way you like it.
What’s the perfect temperature for storing wine?
There’s a reason why people call it a “wine cellar.” The best temperature for aging wine is 55 to 57, which just happens to be the temperature between 20 and 30 feet underground. Any temperature colder than 55 degrees can dry out the bottle’s cork. You also want to keep your wine away from light, which is another reason to keep it in the cellar (or the basement).