Wine Fridges

Whether you entertain large crowds regularly or prefer to nurse a glass solo with dinner, there is a wine refrigerator designed for every type of imbiber. To navigate the options, take time to consider how much wine you drink, what varieties you prefer and how high style ranks in your storage needs.

Wine refrigerators are intended for temporary storage, and bottles chilled in them should be consumed within one year. If you entertain frequently, consider large units, which can hold in excess of 500 bottles; otherwise, opt for smaller fridges that generally range between 18 and 60 bottles.

Capacity is typically based on Bordeaux-sized bottles. If Champagne or magnums make up any portion of your collection, that count will be smaller. Look for customizable shelves that will accommodate those larger bottles. Likewise, if your wine tastes vary, multi-temperature zones will keep each variety at its optimum drinking temperature.

Functionally, the most important qualities of a fridge are temperature control (it shouldn't fluctuate more than one degree) and humidity (it should stay between 50 and 70 percent). Stainless steel interiors with a stippled texture help control both temperature and humidity. And vibration, which can damage wines over time, is reduced with units that use thermoelectricity instead of compressors for cooling.

With function taken care of, it comes down to form. Options, including countertop and integrated units or fridges designed as a stand-alone piece of furniture, come down to personal preference and space. Here are six refrigeration options that suit the needs of wine drinkers, and represent the range of options available.

EuroCave Classic S283

$4,500, eurocelcanada.com

This multi-temperature cabinet has 10 temperature zones ranging from 7˚C for Champagne to 21˚C for reds.

• Custom shelves can hold seven magnum bottles or 33 Bordeaux bottles.
• Bottle capacity is 283 bottles, but smaller cabinets for 92 or 183 bottles are also part of this product line.
• The walls contain a five-centimetre layer of Cellular Quality Insulation.
• The LCD display measures the temperature down to a tenth of a degree.
• An alarm sounds if humidity falls below 50 percent.

Vinothèque Chateau Montelena 500

$9,500, vinotheque.com

With both style and substance, this 360-bottle unit looks like a high-end piece of furniture.

• Design details include Carpathian burl veneer, mouldings and hand-carved corbels.
• The Quiet Touch Cooling System cools the cabinet from the rear forward, minimizing noise.
• A liquid measuring thermostat measures the liquid temperature of wine bottles.
• It is built to order out of maple, cherry, mahogany or black walnut wood.

Preservino Vino Vault Professional

$430, preservino.com

This combination refrigeration and preservation countertop unit cools wine and keeps open bottles fresh for up to 10 days.

• The preservation system has a built-in nozzle that fills open bottles' airspace with argon gas, removing oxygen.
• Click and pour stoppers included with the fridge allow wine to be poured without releasing argon gas. 
• It holds up to 16 bottles.
• The chrome shelves slide out.
• The temperature ranges between 7˚C and 19˚C, and is programmed using an LCD touch screen.

Vinotemp Butler Series VT-34-TS

$255, vinotemp.com

• This cost-effective refrigerator is a good entry-level option.
• It holds up to 34 bottles.
• Wire shelves pull out for easy access.
• The touch screen control panel has a blue LED display.
• A bulk storage section at the bottom accommodates irregular shaped bottles.

• The double-pane glass door insulates and provides UV protection.

Sub-Zero 315W

$2,000, Subzero.com

Measuring 38-centimetres wide, this 26-bottle cooler can be built in to small spaces.

• The roller glide shelves are faced with cherry wood.
• The front exhaust is necessary for all built-in units.
• The full-view door is made of UV-resistant bronze-tinted glass.
• It comes in a stainless steel or overlay model to match surrounding cabinetry.

Liebherr HWS-1800

$3,000, liebherr.com

This integrated unit provides an alternative to under-counter fridges and an opportunity to display wine at eye level.

• The single temperature zone can be programmed for between 5˚C and 20˚C.
• Untreated wood shelves hold up to 18 bottles.
• A charcoal filter purifies incoming air, and a glass door with UV protection guards against damaging elements such as odour and light from the kitchen.
• Compact 56- by 46-centimetre size includes a recessed handle that allows it to sit flush with cabinetry.
• The LED ceiling light is dimmable to cast a glow across the room.