Only wine racks can save wine

Such a complex product must have ventilation, because the maturation of the wine does not tolerate extraneous odors, because the cork is not completely tight and passes some external air into the bottle. To choose the right wine cabinet, you need to take into account changes in several parameters, for example, how many temperature zones you need, and other nuances.
Fans of this noble drink will be interested to know the features of some models for long-term storage and maturation of wine, their technical parameters and individual advantages. To get acquainted with such an extraordinary technique, you need to carefully read our article.

What is a wine rack

The device for storing bottled wine resembles in appearance fridge, which stores various drinks in supermarkets, but he has much more responsibilities. In addition to constant cooling to the optimum temperature, it is necessary to maintain a constant humidity, which is of great importance for the proper maturation of wine.

Some household refrigerators for long-term storage of wine are equipped with electronic controls in the form of sensors and displays, which reflect the main parameters, to control the temperature and humidity in this case is much more convenient and much simpler.

Optimal storage temperature

Home winemakers should know that temperature is the main condition for the proper long-term preservation of wine. Professional winemakers advise: the optimum temperature during long-term storage should be within plus 12-13 degrees, but different varieties require a more careful attitude to themselves in terms of temperature conditions.

To do this, the wine cabinet must have several temperature zones, because some varieties are cooled differently before serving:

• red wines up to + 16-18 ° С;
• white wines have slightly wider limits - + 7-12 degrees;
• champagne cools the most - + 5-8 ° С.

The home wine keeper should have at least 2 zones - for ripening and cooling before serving.

Types of Cabinets

All models of wine coolers are divided into 4 main types:

1. Standard - these are relatively cheap products designed for the mass consumer.
2. With increased comfort - this is for lovers of a fragrant drink.
3. Elite - they are acquired by professionals: sommeliers, winemakers.
4. An exclusive option - gourmets who drink wine, like the Chinese tea, get an original ceremony, and not just drink it.

In each form, special attention is paid even to small details, because in winemaking there are no trifles, everything is done for the benefit of the main process, so any nuances should be considered.

The effect of shelves on vibration

The location of the wine bottles is at a certain angle so that the wine ripens properly and the user sees the label through the doors. The cork must be constantly washed by a ripening liquid to prevent it from drying out. The shelves of standard-type cabinets are made of metal or plastic, which is not very good, because they are not able to absorb the vibration that may occur due to operating equipment.

A home winemaker should remember that any, even slight vibration, is detrimental to the biochemical process of ripening: a precipitate may appear. For the same reason, cabinets for the home should not be installed near household appliances with increased vibration during work.

Shelves made of wood perfectly dampen any vibration, especially cherry. Compressors are installed in a slightly different way, using damping pads or other devices. More expensive models are thermoelectric type and are able to maintain optimal temperature for a long time.

Control methods

All models of modern wine storages are equipped with an electronic control type, which allows you to quickly create the desired temperature and maintain it for a long time. Electronic equipment can work offline, and display parameters for user information. Changes in temperature and humidity are made on the control panel or from the remote control, which are equipped with only expensive products.

Humidity

The optimal value of this especially important parameter is in the range - 57-75%, ideal humidity for the condition of the cork wood cork part. If the humidity is reduced, the cork will dry out, the tightness will be broken, and the noble drink will turn sour due to ingress of air. High humidity negatively affects wine.

Standard products work on the principle of a refrigerator, while more advanced specimens are equipped with auxiliary means, for example, lava stones, which are able to absorb excess moisture or give off moisture when air is dry. These natural formations are light, very resistant to any temperature, because it is a frozen lava from the red-hot bowels of the earth.
They retain moisture well and can release it, so they are used in some models of wine cabinets, but such exclusive products for standard products must be purchased additionally.

Outside door

It is made transparent, but with tinted glass, because excessive illumination oxidizes the drink, so the interior lighting is done without the participation of fluorescent lamps. Some models are available with opaque or darkened doors, and lighting is done using special lamps.

Ventilation

It is of a natural type, since the use of a fan is not recommended in order to avoid excessive vibrations. The intake of fresh air from the outside is quite important for the proper storage and ripening of wine, so the design of the products provides for special openings protected by a charcoal filter. Such measures are reasonable, because foreign odors harm the noble wine, especially when it matures in a comfortable environment.

External design

The appearance and its materials do not affect storage, with the exception of damping vibration with wooden shelves. But consumers should remember that this is a rather expensive pleasure, because the price range can be quite significant: at least 30 thousand, and the maximum for exclusive models reaches 500 thousand rubles.

Therefore, this technique should not only be useful and functional in everyday life, but also have a beautiful design. Exterior finish is any: stainless steel, durable plastic, wood panel or natural fragments, as well as leather. Elite and exclusive products are made to order, so the finish can be different - it all depends on the whim of the customer and his financial capabilities.

Functionality

In cabinets for permanent storage of bottled wine there is a division into climate classes - this directly depends on the temperature that they are able to maintain:

1. N or normal mode - + 16-32 degrees.
2. SN, subnormal with temperature ranging from +10 to 320C;
3. ST, subtropics - + 18-38 degrees.
4. T, tropical option - + 18-430C.

The gradation is similar to the energy-saving classes of refrigerators and other household appliances.

Selection options

Before proceeding with the selection of the wine storage, it is necessary for each user to understand for what specific purposes the cabinet is intended.

Spaciousness

This parameter directly depends on the area allocated for its placement and the number of bottles that need to be placed in it: for small-sized apartments there are such models - a small cabinet with a width of only 150 mm, where the bottles are arranged in a row. There are built-in or free-standing specimens of different volumes, for example, for a bar, the best option is miniature cabinets built into the bar, for especially valuable wines.

Temperature mode

Mono-temperature equipment is ideal for restaurants serving elite wines, or for home collections. A complement can be an exclusive version of the humidor - a mini-cigar storage box that maintains optimal humidity or a special canopy to house wine glasses.

In restaurants with a large flow of visitors, it is better to install wine racks with a multi-temperature regime, when the temperature gradually changes from the lower to the upper shelf, for example, from + 4 to 18 degrees, so any client demanding for wine cooling will be satisfied.

Cooling technology

Compressors are used for standard products, only their fastening is made with damping gaskets in order to reduce the possible transmission of vibration to the main structure. Their advantages are high reliability, cooling efficiency, can be built into any furniture.

Thermoelectric products, the operation of which is based on a module with contact plates, between which a temperature difference is created. For the first time, such a module was created by the French inventor Peltier, their advantages: practicality and rather low cost.

Execution option

The standard is a minimal set of necessary functionality and a fairly simple design. Dear models have additional functions in their assets, they are distinguished by a wide variety of forms and external design options. The exclusive is mainly made to order, for specific wine lovers with individual storage features.

Manufacturers pay special attention to doors that should show the goods face, but at the same time protect the wine from exposure to sunlight and sources of ultraviolet rays. For true gourmets, they make wine cabinets with blank doors so that the splendor of the collected collection is not visible from the outside, since the sacrament is opened only to trusted representatives from among the same fans of wine production.

Rating wine racks for home

Vestfrost VFWC 350

Model from the largest manufacturer of refrigeration equipment in Denmark at a price of 69.99 thousand ₽, coating material - silver metal, electronic control. Class C, one chamber, but two temperature zones of 5-18 degrees, dimensions 595x680x143 mm, weight 82.8 kg, noise level 39 dB, capacity 102 bottles of wine, internal volume 350 l. It is possible to build in, all shelves from a strong beech, a fringing of glass from stainless steel.

Dunavox DX-12.33DSC

A wine cabinet from Hungary worth 21.9 thousand rubles, black metal, class A energy consumption - 133 kWh / year, dimensions 255x515x667 mm, weight 13.8 kg. Capacity 12 bottles, temperature 8-18 ° С, single chamber, volume 33 l, noise level 38 dB, climate class N.

Cavanova CV-021-2T

A model from Spain worth 39.9 thousand ₽, two chambers with a temperature regime of 6-18 degrees, a volume of 16 liters, holds up to 21 bottles, weight 17.4 kg, dimensions 340x500x810 mm. There is an indication of temperature, touch control.

Liebherr WKB 1812

Austrian experts have pleased with an excellent model at a price of 52.65 thousand rubles, 66 bottles of wine are freely placed, energy class A - 146 kWh / year. Volume 168 l, mono-temperature variant, climatic class SN, ST, suitable for storing all types of wines from dry white to champagne. Dimensions 600x613x890 mm, weight 45 kg, noise level 38 dB, warranty for 2 years.

Caso WineMaster Touch 38-2D

A model from China worth from 68.49 thousand ₽, a stainless steel case, seven wooden shelves on which 38 bottles of 0.7 l each are packed. Two chambers with a climatic class N, ST, temperature condition 5-22 degrees. Dimensions 1040x630x395 mm, weight 46 kg, volume 220 l. Energy consumption 0.38 kW per day, noise level 40 dB, LED display and similar backlight, LG compressor, power 60 watts.

findings

Such impressive and expensive models can afford only obvious fans of quality wine, not to mention exclusive copies. So far, such a luxury can only be acquired by a narrow circle of users.

Title	Vestfrost VFWC 350 Z2	Dunavox DX-12.33DSC	Cavanova CV-021-2T	Liebherr WKB 1812	Caso WineMaster Touch 38-2D
Control	electronic	electronic	electronic	electronic	electronic
Energy consumption	class C	class A (133 kWh / year)	class E	class A (146 kWh / year)	class A
Dimensions (WxDxH)	59.5x68x143 cm	25.5x51.5x66.7 cm	34x50x81 cm	60x61.3x89 cm	63x39.5x104 cm
Ice maker	absent	absent	absent	absent	absent
Noise level	up to 39 dB	up to 38 dB	up to 38 dB	up to 38 dB	up to 40 dB
Price	from 81600 rub.	from 22000 rub.	from 40,000 rub.	from 61500 rub.	from 82000 rub.