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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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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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Comments | Posted By Desiree David

Is Vinotemp a Good Brand?

3/26/2020 3:00 PM

For close to four decades Vinotemp has grown a reputation within the wine industry of being one of the top brands for wine storage solutions, cellar cooling systems, and wine accessories.

Vinotemp’s custom projects can be found in popular restaurants, hotels, resorts, bars, and more. While these luxury wine cellars are certainly impressive, Vinotemp does offer wine storage solutions that are widely available at big-box retailers. With price points both high and low, its no wonder Vinotemp has become a household name for both novice and serious wine collectors.

Custom Wine Cellar by Vinotemp

The Vinotemp Origin Story

Vinotemp is a family-owned and operated business founded by Frances Ravel in 1985. Ravel began first by producing wine. It was during this time that he was introduced to the idea of using a cooling unit inside a sealed cabinet to store wine. At first, he had one factory make wine cabinets while another produced cellar cooling units. Ravel then began to build the wine cabinets himself. During the 1990s, he developed the Wine-Mate cellar cooling unit; the only UL approved wine cooling system of its time. His daughter worked alongside him for 15 years and is now the CEO of Vinotemp.

Vinotemp is a female-owned business and certified member of the Women’s Business Enterprise by WBENC. Vinotemp is now home to multiple brands producing everything a wine lover could need for the storage and service of wine; from wine refrigerators to accessories, Vinotemp has a diverse product offering that is sure to please its customers.

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Comments | Posted By Desiree David

What is the Thermoelectric Wine Cooler?

3/26/2020 2:12 PM

Wine refrigerators have become a popular storage solution because they are cost-efficient, can store a reasonable number of bottles, are widely available, and easy to install.

Wine fridges have many of the same benefits as a traditional wine cellar; they maintain a stable cool temperature, include sturdy wine racking, and many have dual-paned or UV resistant glass doors to protect wine from harmful UV rays. By keeping your wine inside a wine fridge, your wine will age in its ideal environment and develop the taste and aromas intended by the winemaker.

At the heart of the wine cooler is a cooling system that works to maintain the perfect environment for wine. There are two different types; thermoelectric and compressor. Both are efficient at cooling though there are notable differences. To help you make an informed purchase, we will explore thermoelectric wine refrigerators and their pros and cons.

Vinotemp 6-Bottle Thermoelectric Wine Cooler

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Comments | Posted By Desiree David

TAKE YOUR WINE ALFRESCO

3/6/2020 1:20 PM

Spring is nearly upon us, which means picnic and tailgate weather is just around the corner.

Are you planning an outdoor celebration with friends and family that includes tasty treats and wine? Here are our top three tips to keep in mind to help you enjoy your wine outdoors.

PERFECT PAIRINGS

Know your menu before you head to the store for wine. Will you mainly be serving picnic-style food such as sandwiches, potato salad, fruit, or a sampling of cheese and charcuterie? Try pairing your food with a crisp sparkling white or rose’ that feels as casual and light as the occasion. For heavier foods such as steak, barbecue, and other grilled meats, serve your favorite Syrah, Zinfandel, or Barbera.

Since most outdoor gatherings tend to last for several hours under the warm sun, pace your guests with wines that have a lower alcohol level and provide plenty of other fluids such as water or juice to prevent any medical emergencies.

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Comments | Posted By Desiree David

A GUIDE TO WINE STORAGE AND SERVING TEMPERATURES

3/5/2020 3:27 PM

Did you know that not all wine is meant to be aged?

Today we are talking about how to determine if your wine is meant for long-term or short-term storage as well as the proper serving temperature. We hope you find this guide helpful and that it will enhance your wine drinking and storage experience.

LONG-TERM VS. SHORT-TERM STORAGE

How Do You Know if Your Wine is Meant for Long-Term or Short-Term Storage?

As a general rule of thumb, most of the wine you have purchased from big box stores are meant for short-term storage and should be consumed within a year of purchase. If you have paid a premium price for the wine or have been instructed by the winemaker to place your wine in a cellar, it is meant for long-term storage. Generally, wines from the “old world”, namely Europe, are meant to be cellared. These wines will require specific conditions to ensure they age properly.

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Comments | Posted By Desiree David