Why you need a wine fridge?

For the wine to mature correctly, storage conditions ought to be as close as possible to an underground cellar. The temperature should be cool but not frigid and, crucially, very stable. The humidity should be relatively high (60% +/- 10%). There should be no disturbance from light or vibration. The vicinity should contain nothing malodorous. Bottles should have space to lie horizontally undisturbed for as long as their owners can hold off drinking them.

Many of these conditions, which are approximated as closely as possible in a wine refrigerator (or “cabinet”), are aimed at keeping the cork seal intact. For example, humidity doesn't affect the wine per se, but in an arid environment the cork will dry out and lose its elasticity, allowing oxygen to leach into the bottle too quickly. On the other hand, humidity is not kind to labels.

Wine refrigerators can be really expensive and the truth is they're just not for everyone. In the right situation, they can be a wonderful asset that keeps your precious wine in great condition and ready to serve at the optimal temperature.

So, how do you know if a wine refrigerator is worthwhile for you?

First, you’re serious about wine drinking.

To you, wine is more than just a liquid beverage. Drinking wine is akin to appreciating fine art.

You do your best to learn about all of the flavors and aromas.

You’ve read about wine tasting and already learned the etiquette. You even know the types of wine grapes used and where to find them.

At this stage, a wine fridge could be of huge benefit to you to get the most out of each bottle and your wine experience.

Second, your kitchen fridge is full of wine and the wine collection is growing fast.

Wines are sensitive to humidity, light, and of course temperature.

A bottle that sits for even just a couple of weeks in a cupboard that's too hot or too cold may taste odd when it is opened. A traditional fridge is just too cold and dry to store wines for long periods. You need consistency in temperature, humidity, and darkness and that's where a wine fridge comes in.

Another sign that you need a wine fridge is your knowing all about serving temperatures.

You know why reds and whites are not served at the same temperature. You even know why various types of reds or various types of whites require different serving temperatures. Since you care so much about serving temperatures, you might also want to enjoy a perfect glass of wine. That’s only possible if you invest in a good wine fridge that can chill your beverage at an appropriate temperature.

How can you choose the right wine fridge?

First of all, you need to know that to keep the wine fresh and in the best condition, you should make sure that your wine is protected from heat, rays, and vibration. Starting from this point, we can easily define a good wine cooler.

Stable temperature – it does not have to be cold, but it has to be stable. The unstable temperature may cause damage to the wine. Hence the temperature control ability and stable cooling system of a wine cooler are extremely important. Check the temperature range before you purchase the wine fridge. If possible, it is better to check if the temperature could maintain at the level you set up.

Light-resistant – light can rearrange a wine's chemical compounds – just like oxygen and temperature – and cause wine faults. The resulting wine is known as light-struck. That means the wine is prematurely aged and its taste, aroma, color, and mouthfeel have been irreparably changed for the worse. Most wine coolers in the market have a glass door, so it is important to check if the glass door could resist the light.

No vibration – Vibration is also harmful to wine. The compressor is the heart of the cooling system and when it is working, it might generate vibration. Therefore, a good quality compressor is necessary for a wine cooler.

In addition, there are many other factors that you need to consider when selecting the right wine fridge. These include size, volume, bottle capacity, length of anticipated storage time, and shelf life of the unit. The better the wines that are in your collection, the longer you are probably going to age them. The only way wines reach their full potential is when stored correctly and prevented from all the damage.

The SMAD wine cooler has a high-quality compressor that generates nearly zero vibration and noise while working. Because of this, the temperature inside the wine fridge is super stable. Moreover, the glass door is covered by a special film that can prevent most light. If you want to buy a wine cooler, SMAD is a good choice.