5 reasons you may want to invest in a wine cooler or mini bar fridge

If you’re an Oenophile (A wine enthusiast), you’d know that it is of the essence for wine to be chilled just right, to be able to truly enjoy and appreciate its flavours. However, to chill wine, a normal refrigerator just doesn’t cut it. This is because wine requires temperatures and humidity very different from fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as dairy products.  

It is here, that wine coolers step in. These little appliances appear not unlike a mini-fridge. However, the two are very different. How? Well, as mentioned above, it all comes down to temperature and humidity. While the former is designed specifically for storing that bottle of premium Rosé you picked up while on vacation in the South of France, the latter is designed specifically for fruits and vegetables.  

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And if that isn’t reason enough for you to invest in one, check out this little list of five reasons which may make you want to consider otherwise.

1. Precise temperature control

A mini fridge is designed for preserving perishable foods for as long as possible, which is why its temperature drops as low as 2 degree C. Wines, on the other hand, need to be stored at a higher temperature. Red wines, for example, need to be stored between 12 and 19 degrees celsius, while white wines need to be stored between 8 and 12 degrees celsius. You can store them, and other alcohol at other temperatures, but the quality of the alcohol does be affected in the process. Wine coolers and mini bar fridges offer much more precise control over these parameters, thereby helping retain quality. 

2. The correct humidity is vital

Another important factor to consider when storing alcohol is the humidity level. Refrigerators typically drop the humidity to a low 30-50 per cent, while alcohol is best stored at a humidity level that varies between 55 and 65 per cent. This is both to prevent mould from growing and to prevent damage to wine corks. A good wine cooler will have something like a thermo-hygrometer built in to monitor and control temperature and humidity.

3. Strong aromas and mould

Speaking of corks, strong aromas must be strictly avoided so you don’t accidentally taint the cork. Refrigerators, especially those that have been used to store foods, can have traces of mould and potent smells locked up inside them.

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A wine cooler, on the other hand, has only one purpose so you’re not likely to store foods that can catch mould inside. This keeps the corks as sterile as possible, and your wine’s flavour untainted and smooth. 

4. Vibrations must be avoided

One of the most easily overlooked aspects of storing wines in a regular refrigerator is the vibration of the compressor. Vibrations are very bad for wines and some types of alcohol as they can accelerate the ageing process. Additionally, vibrations can disturb the wine sediment, causing chemical reactions that further damage the flavour of the wine. 

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Wine coolers and mini bar fridges tend to use better-dampened cooling mechanisms that don’t induce vibrations when cooling the alcohol. This ensures better longevity and flavour control.

5. Cost is a factor

Owing to the greater precision required in manufacturing such units, wine coolers and mini bar fridges tend to be more expensive than regular fridges. For this reason, it might be tempting to pick up a regular mini fridge for storing alcohol. However, given the price of alcohol and wines, you’re likely to cause more long-term damage to your stash than the additional cost of a wine cooler, making a dedicated wine cooler a better investment in the long run. 

If your aim is to store alcohol for later consumption, it’s best that you get a dedicated wine cooler or mini bar fridge to ensure that you’re preserving these alcohols and wines in the best possible manner. Mini fridges are not designed for preserving alcohol long term, and are best used for short-term storage.