Wine Cooler Buying Guide

Wine is a valuable commodity for any business. Customers will always be quick to let you know whether it’s too warm or just tastes ‘funny’. To guarantee that you never receive complaints it is essential to invest in a quality wine cooler that protects wine and achieves optimum storage conditions.

Before choosing your perfect wine chiller it is vital to understand how wine should be stored and the basic principles of wine refrigeration as opposed to alternative standard forms of refrigeration.

This buying guide aims to highlight important aspects that should be considered before making a purchase and provide information on why a commercial wine bottle cooler is the only way to store your prized wine collections.

Table of Contents

Wine Refrigeration Vs Standard Refrigeration
Areas to Consider when Buying a Wine Fridge
Additional Design Features to Look For
Ask Advice

Wine Refrigeration Vs Standard Refrigeration

Osborne 290EW wine cooler with triple doors in stainless steel

Wine Coolers

  • Designed to gradually lower temperatures and maintain optimum humidity levels conducive to the storage of wine.
  • Maintains consistent temperature.
  • Solely for wine storage eliminating the risk of other odours permeating into the taste.
  • Typically feature absorption systems to reduce and suppress vibration and noise.

Standard Refrigeration

  • Designed to rapidly drop temperatures and expel humidity.
  • Generally work at temperatures around 4˚C, far too cold for ideal wine storage.
  • Reduced humidity can risk drying out corks and damaging wine.
  • Compressors can cause vibration which interrupts the maturing process.

 

Specialised wine fridges should be at the top of the shopping list for all businesses that take their wine seriously. Understanding what to look for can guarantee that you make a wise investment and always receive exactly what you need.

Areas to Consider when Buying a Wine Fridge

  • Size

The space you have available will dictate the type of wine chiller cabinet you can house. With upright tall wine coolers and under counter wine coolers units available there will be a product for every premises. Always remember to allow for adequate airflow around the equipment to let refrigeration breathe. Generally an approximate 50mm air gap is recommended to aid optimum performance. Also consider the available access to the premises, especially when purchasing larger upright models. Measure doorways and potentially tricky angles that might be encountered when positioning the fridge after delivery.

  • Capacity

The amount of wine bottles you need to store will dictate the capacity you require. Smaller businesses will obviously have less storage demands while larger bars will need considerably more. With a full range of capacities able to hold from 11 x 750ml bottles through to 191 x 750ml bottles there are products able to cope with all demands. Always remember that Champagne and Burgundy bottles will generally be bigger and take up more room so always adjust your capacity calculations according to the products you want to stock.

  • Insulation

Adequate insulation will not only ensure that temperatures remain consistent and performance is enhanced but also that warmer ambient air does not affect the storage conditions. Insulation will aid efficiency and should help to keep running costs as low as possible.

  • Number of Doors

The number of doors will relate to the size and ultimately the capacity of the equipment. With single door units, such as the Tefcold FS1380W and double as seen with the Osborne 357EW upright options available plus single, double and triple door under-counter fridges, it's easy to find a wine chiller that meets your business needs and is suitable for your individual layout.

Polar CE217 dual zone wine fridge

  • Dual Temperature/Dual Zone

A dual zone cooler provides premium storage for both white and red wines achieving perfect serving temperatures for each within one unit. Rather than purchase two separate pieces of equipment, one for red and one for white, it is sometimes more beneficial to combine both and save space. Each of the two sections can be set to different temperatures creating a combined display that doesn’t compromise the integrity of the wine regardless of colour.

  • Temperature Range

The temperature range you require will depend on the wine that will be held prior to service. White wines should be served between 8˚C to 15˚C depending on variety while sparkling wines should be served slightly lower at 5°C to 10°C. Red wines generally have a recommended serving temperature between 12˚C to 18˚C. As a general rule, the lighter the wine the colder the serving temperature. Look for an easy to use control panel and a precision thermostat to allow easy monitoring and full control over conditions.

Looking for flexible wine storage? Although some wine chillers are configured solely for white or red wines with regards to temperature, adjustable temperature ranges are available on select models such as the Osborne 220EW eCold Wine Cooler, creating optimum conditions for and allowing either red or white wines to be stored. This differs from dual temperature/zone models which are designed to hold both red and wine wines simultaneously in separate sections.

  • Number of Shelves

The larger the unit the more shelves there will be. Shelving will generally be adjustable to provide full flexibility when personalising and organising your storage facilities. All shelves should be manufactured from strong and durable materials to offer additional safety for valuable bottles.

  • Price

While this is a major factor you should try not to make it the primary consideration. There are a wide range of prices suitable for all budgets however if you want to keep wines in premium condition and are serious about quality, with wine being the main attraction for your business, it is wise to purchase flagship products to look after your prized wine menu. Want to invest in the best but don't want the large upfront cost? We offer commercial leasing options allowing you to enjoy leading equipment whilst spreading the cost into manageable monthly repayments.

Additional Design Features to Look For

  • It is recommended to purchase equipment that features UV filters on the glass. Strong sunlight on wine bottles can damage the product and reduce quality. Coolpoint CX900R wine chiller with LED lighting
  • A clear temperature display will ensure easy reference, allowing users to closely monitor conditions to guarantee optimum storage conditions.
  • Many wine cabinets are designed with internal illumination, showcasing bottles in the most attractive way.
  • Decide whether your wine cooler would benefit from a secure lock. This feature can provide safety for valuable bottles and act as a deterrent against potential theft.
  • With a choice of exterior colours available you can style the overall unit according to your existing design and décor. With chrome, brown, black, grey and stainless steel to choose from, there is a unit to complement all businesses.
  • The shelf finish can be selected to fit with external materials providing a complete uniformed appearance that is aesthetically pleasing. If you prefer a contrasting effect this can also be arranged with a choice of cream, wood, white, chrome and stainless steel.
  • You may have a preferred manufacturer and wish to stick to what you already know. If this is the first wine chiller you have purchased, always be sure to discover what each brand can offer. You may find that paying slightly more initially will save you money in the long run.
  • Warranties will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. While some will offer full parts and labour warranty other products will be supplied with parts only cover. The period that the commercial warranty covers will also vary. Generally, a full warranty for the longest period is best providing the support and service you need in case of future problems.

Ask Advice

If you have already purchased wine coolers in the past, you may already be aware of the prime areas to consider. If this is your first time shopping in this area and you are unsure of any aspects it is always best to seek advice. This could be from a friend in the same industry however it is important to remember that what suits their business may not be right for yours. Alternatively, speak to an impartial supplier who can listen to your requirements and suggest the products that best fit your criteria. The FFD team are fully trained to assist with your search, coupling you with the best model to meet your business requests.