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Should I Refrigerate Wine?

7/23/2020 11:18 AM

Wine ages best when it has been stored in a cool and humid environment where it can be sheltered from sunlight and vibration.

The best environment for wine is a wine cave or wine cellar. Since most wine lovers do not have the budget or enough wine to fill a wine cellar, what are the alternatives for storing wine? Can you simply place your wine inside a refrigerator?

Vinotemp 15-inch Panel-Ready Wine Cooler

Storing Wine in the Fridge

The kitchen refrigerator is far too cold and dry for long term wine storage. The ideal temperature for wine is 55◦F with a relative humidity of 70%. A standard refrigerator where you store your milk and eggs is normally set for 38-40◦F with no humidity. When wine is in an environment that is too cold it can begin to crystalize. When it is too dry, the corks begin to dry out and contract, allowing for oxidization.

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wine storage

Comments | Posted By Desiree David

What is the Best Way to Store Wine?

7/23/2020 11:06 AM

Has your wine been tasting flat, or even worse, more like vinegar?

Has your wine been tasting flat, or even worse, more like vinegar? Wine is a delicate substance that requires specific conditions to ensure it tastes its best. If your wine is tasting off, it is probably because you are not storing it correctly. Here we will discuss some surefire ways to create perfect wine storage.

Wine caves have long been thought to be a perfect place for long term wine storage. This is because they are naturally dark, cool, and humid spaces where wine can rest undisturbed for many years. Being below the ground, they are taking up little surface area. They are also protecting wine from natural disasters such as a fire. Wine caves are believed to be an eco-friendly solution since the cave relies on the naturally occurring environment rather than a cooling system that requires electricity. Since most wine lovers have space for a traditional wine cave, it is time to get creative and think about some alternatives.

Vinotemp VinCave 450-Bottle In-Ground Wine Cellar

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wine storage

Comments | Posted By Desiree David

Can Wine Be Stored at Room Temperature?

7/23/2020 10:31 AM

Creating the best storage environment for your wine is the first step towards protecting your collection.

If you have been doing your research on proper wine storage, you know that wine is a delicate substance that needs a cool consistent temperature, proper humidity, darkness, and stillness to properly age. In other words, you want to designate a space for wine that closely mimics a wine cave. Can wine be stored at room temperature? It depends on a few factors.

Ideal wine storage conditions are specific. Wine can safely be stored between 40 to 65◦F, with 55◦F being the ideal temperature. Large daily temperature swings greater than 1-3 degrees should be avoided as they can ruin your wine. The room should have a relative humidity around 70% which will keep the corks moist, therefore maintaining a tight seal and preventing oxidization. Wine should sit relatively still as it ages. When wine is moved, it can kick up the sediment inside the bottle which will affect the taste of the wine. UV rays and harsh light are wine’s enemies. White wines in particular are most susceptible to becoming “lightstruck”. When a wine has become “lightstruck” it will have an undesirable odor and smell.

Vinotemp Modular Stainless Understairs Wine Cabinet

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wine storage

Comments | Posted By Desiree David

How Long Can I Store Wine?

7/21/2020 11:10 AM

When you age wine, you place it inside a dark, cool, and damp space, where it can rest undisturbed for many years.

The bottle should rest horizontally so that the wine is always wetting the cork. During this time, the wine improves, developing flavors, textures, and aromas it would not have had if it had been uncorked shortly after purchase. Cellaring wine is a sophisticated practice with a long history, one that is as enjoyable as drinking the wine itself. That being said, should every wine that enters your home be cellared?

Vinotemp Wine Cellar with Cable Racking

How long you store your wine largely depends on whether or not it was meant to be cellared in the first place. Only 1% of the wine in the modern wine market is meant to be cellared or aged. There is the thirty dollar rule that says that if the wine is less than thirty dollars it should be consumed shortly after purchase. The wine above thirty dollars should be consumed within 5 years of purchase. This does not mean that you should place cheaper bottles of wine on top of your refrigerator and forget about it. Even cheap wine benefits from proper storage, you just do not have to be as patient about waiting to uncork it.

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wine storage

Comments | Posted By Desiree David

Where Should I Place My Freestanding Wine Fridge?

7/14/2020 2:44 PM

If you have collected enough wine to invest in a wine refrigerator, you may have a few key questions before you spend money. First, what is the best wine fridge for you? Second, where in your home should it be installed?

The best wine fridge will help your wine collection age gracefully. Wine is delicate by nature and requires a specific environment to ensure it does not spoil. Wine is light averse and requires a dark space. Wine should not be subject to unwanted movement as too much movement or vibration can loosen any sediment and will negatively affect the taste. The temperature should be kept cool (around 55◦F for long-term storage) and consistent. A space that is too warm or subject to temperature swings will essentially cook the wine. Too cool and it will freeze. While a wine cellar is certainly the ideal place for wine, it is out of budget for most people. A wine cooler is a worthy and cost-effective alternative.

The market for wine refrigerators is filled with a wide selection of different units of varying styles, sizes, shapes, and quality. You will soon learn that in addition to selecting between stainless and black trim, you will have to decide if you would like a unit with front or rear exhaust. What is the difference between the two and why does it matter?

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Comments | Posted By Desiree David

How Tall is a Wine Fridge?

7/14/2020 2:17 PM

If you are on the hunt for the best wine fridge to match your storage needs, it is very important to select a size that works well within your space.

While height is certainly important, you should also pick a wine refrigerator that will match other criteria including your budget, space constraints, and style. Below we will discuss what to consider before you purchase, finding the best size wine cooler for you, as well as other features to look for when shopping.

Vinotemp 300 Bottle Dual-Zone Wine Cooler

What Size Wine Fridge Do I Need?

Before purchasing a wine chiller, there are important factors to consider. The number of bottles you currently own plus your purchase and drinking habits will affect how much wine your fridge will have to store. Next, analyze the space where you will install your new wine cooler. Will you be installing your wine fridge into a kitchen island? Are you looking for a tall refrigerated wine cabinet that will blend into existing cabinetry? Or would you like a counter height wine cooler that will fit seamlessly with your home bar or kitchen? Wherever the location, there is surely a wine fridge that will complement the space. Lastly, determine a budget. While wine coolers are much more cost effective than a traditional wine cellar, there are some cost considerations that may determine the size of cooler you are able to afford.

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Comments | Posted By Desiree David

Can You Put a Wine Refrigerator on Carpet?

7/13/2020 1:31 PM

Installation, location, and maintenance are crucial to extending the life of your wine fridge.

Not only will these three factors help your wine cooler last for many years, but it will help to prevent any unwanted temperature problems. Today we are talking about all three of these important points plus whether or not you should place your wine cooler on the carpet.

Vinotemp’s Private Reserve Series 41-Bottle Backlit Panel Commercial 54 Single-Zone Wine Cooler

Where Should I Put My Wine Fridge?

There are a few things to consider when picking the best location for your wine cooler.

Pick a spot that is level.

Wine refrigerators are made for flat surfaces. Avoid any place where your floor may slope up or down, in other words, the spot should be as level as possible. This will prevent your wine cooler from accidentally toppling over.

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Comments | Posted By Desiree David

How Wine Lovers Adapted to Staying at Home

6/12/2020 1:05 PM

According to WineBusiness.com, sales of wine increased 29% while everyone stayed at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here are some of the creative ways people have supported small local wineries and remained active in the wine community from the comfort of their homes.

Local Wineries

As wineries could not open their doors for tastings, they shifted to virtual outreach through websites, email, and social media. Customers were able to order wine for delivery or pickup, with no contact needed. Some wineries offered a discount on shipping, making it easy to get a bottle of your favorite wine delivered to your doorstep. A drop-off was also available for customers within a certain radius of the winery. Some wine brands offered wine tasting kits through their websites that included a curated collection paired with a virtual tasting. Another popular way to support local wineries was to purchase a gift certificate for use at a later date.

Virtual Wine Education

With most in-person classes canceled, various wine academies hosted virtual school. Courses offered included foundational classes, wine pairings, sommelier coursework, mentorships, and more. Online classes were not the only way fans of wine received a wine education; many libraries offered free access to thousands of books on wine, and with everyone staying at home, it became the perfect time to increase one’s wine knowledge.

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pandemic

Comments | Posted By Desiree David

Vinotemp vs. Wine Enthusiast

6/12/2020 11:42 AM

If you are on the market for a reliable wine refrigerator, two brands stand out; Wine Enthusiast and Vinotemp.

In this article, we will compare and contrast the selection of wine coolers offered through WineEnthusiast.com with Vinotemp wine refrigerators.

What is a Wine Enthusiast?

Wine Enthusiast is a business based in Valhalla, NY. They are a multi-channel marketer working in the retail, wholesale, and consumer direct markets. In addition to offering products, they are the owners of Wine Enthusiast Magazine, a publication informing the wine community about trends, reviews, and more. Their network of companies also includes Wine Express, a wine home delivery service, as well as, Thirsty Nest, which is a resource for engaged couples to purchase wine, liquor, and barware for their wedding.

What is a Vinotemp?

Vinotemp has been a leader in the wine storage industry since 1985. Based locally in the USA, Vinotemp specializes in wine refrigerators, cabinets, cellar cooling systems, wine racks, wine accessories, and more. Vinotemp’s work can be found in popular Las Vegas hotels, sporting venues such as Dodger Stadium, popular hotels like the Ritz Carlton, and in private residences all over the world.

Comparing Large Capacity Wine Refrigerators

Private Reserve Series 188-Bottle Backlit Panel Commercial 300 Wine Cooler

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Comments | Posted By Desiree David

Wine Cocktails for the Summer

6/11/2020 9:18 AM

Summer is upon us, which means it’s time to spice up your life with easy wine cocktail recipes that you can make in the comfort of your kitchen.

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From trendy frosé to the classic sangria, below are some of the most delicious mixed drinks that are sure to keep you cool as the temperatures rise.

Frosé

This easy frosé recipe requires only four ingredients and a sheet pan for freezing. Fresh strawberries and lemon juice combine with rosé to create a refreshing cocktail that is both sweet and tart. The best part of this recipe is you can freeze the wine up to a week ahead. Check out the recipe here from Bon Appetit.

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cocktails

Comments | Posted By Desiree David