Wine Writing Team on August 21, 2020 0 Comments If you just bought some good wine, then you want to make sure that you keep it safe. This means figuring out where to store it properly. The two most popular options are a wine refrigerator and a wine rack. With this in mind, which are you going to choose? While wine racks are usually less expensive than a wine refrigerator, you need to think about the pros and cons of each as you make your decision. First, it’s important to consider the differences between wine racks and wine refrigerators in order to better understand the implications of each option. What is a Wine Rack? A wine rack is a piece of furniture that has been designed to act as a shelving unit that holds bottles of wine. There are lots of different types of wine racks out there and they come in all shapes and sizes. Some of them are freestanding while others might be mounted on the wall. The number of bottles that can be stored on each wine rack will vary, so make sure to choose a wine rack that can hold enough bottles. Think about your space and needs. While most wine racks are found in the kitchen, some are located in wine cellars as well. It’s important to note that a wine rack alone might not be enough to keep the bottles safe, because it doesn’t control the temperature of the wine inside the bottle. What Is a Wine Refrigerator? Often shortened to a wine fridge, a wine refrigerator is another option when it comes to storing wine. Think about a wine refrigerator as a refrigerator that has wine racks built into it. While this might be a simplistic explanation, this should give you the basic idea of how a wine refrigerator works. There are lots of wine enthusiasts who choose to go with a dedicated wine refrigerator instead of several wine racks. This refrigerator has been designed to keep your wine at the right temperature to preserve its quality. It’s also possible to adjust the internal temperature of the wine refrigerator depending on what it stores. Red wine and white wine are often stored at different temperatures. Should You Choose a Wine Rack or a Wine Refrigerator? This decision hinges on several important variables. If you are able to create a consistent environment that can store wine safely within your home, then you might not need to go with a wine refrigerator. On the other hand, building a wine cellar can be expensive and it’s no fun to keep wine out of sight in a closet or pantry. There are several pros and cons of wine refrigerators and wine racks that everyone should note. The Pros and Cons of a Wine Rack There are several advantages of using a wine rack when it comes to storing your wine. First, a wine rack is going to be the less expensive option. It comes in many shapes, sizes and styles, allowing you to tailor the wine rack to meet your aesthetic needs and be far more than just a place to store wine. On the other hand, the biggest downside of a wine rack is that there is no way to control the temperature of the bottles. Leaving the wine rack in the kitchen could leave the wine prone to spoiling. The Pros and Cons of a Wine Refrigerator The biggest advantage of a wine refrigerator is that it controls the temperature of the wine. This type of cooler is designed to preserve wine for a long time. Many wine refrigerators also have added dual zone controls. This means that you might be able to store red and white wine at different temperatures in the same wine refrigerator. A wine refrigerator will also absorb many of the vibrations that could otherwise damage the bottles. On the other hand, a wine refrigerator is more expensive. In addition to having to pay more money for the product, you will also have to pay for the electricity the wine refrigerator consumes. Choosing the Right Wine Storage Option These are a few of the most important considerations that you need to think about when you are looking for a wine storage option. Consider how many bottles you have and what the environment is like inside your home. Then, make the right decision for your needs.