Nov 11
4
The basics of proper wine storage include: an ambient, constant temperature of around 55 degrees Fahrenheit, proper humidity levels, no direct natural or artificial light and no to minimal vibrations.
A wine cooler is designed to provide all of these storage requirements. How does a regular refrigerator stack up against the basic storage best practices?
Temperature: first, kitchen refrigerators typically maintain temperatures much colder than the ideal 55 degrees Fahrenheit wine storage temperature. most refrigerators run between 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. a kitchen refrigerator is too cold. Wine is supposed to age slowly and gently over time. 55 degrees Fahrenheit is the perfect temperature for wine aging. plus 55 degrees Fahrenheit is the ideal middle ground for proper wine serving temperatures. if wine is stored at 35 degrees Fahrenheit the aging will be disrupted and the temperature will be too cold for drinking. a wine fridge typically has an adjustable thermostat that can maintain a temperature range between 45 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit.
Humidity: Humidity levels in a wine cooler or wine refrigerator are ideally within a range of 50-70%. Kitchen refrigerators have lower humidity levels. too low humidity levels can increase the chances of cork shrinkage. Excess cork shrinkage could allow oxygen to enter the wine bottle, causing oxidation which in turn causes wine to develop an unfortunately familiar acidic, vinegar taste.
Light: the kitchen refrigerator makes the grade on this test maintaining a dark environment.
Vibration: Refrigerators are a an appliance that is constantly used, opened and closed and can be vibration filled. There are differences of opinion regarding vibrations’ impact on wine storage and aging. most people believe that excessive and or constant vibrations can disrupt the natural settling of sediment at the bottom of the wine bottle. Constant vibrations could disperse sediment hard enough so that the vibrations produce fine sediment particles that remain in the wine body and do not settle at the bottle’s bottom. Fine sediment in wine can affect flavor and taste.
To recap, versus a wine cooler, a kitchen refrigerator is too cold, has too low a humidity level and is more prone to vibrations and constant usage. a kitchen refrigerator does not provide the same ideal, constant temperature and humidity environment that a wine refrigerator provides.
Is it Okay to Store Wine in a Kitchen Refrigerator? Use a Wine Cooler Instead
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Household Essentials Goblet-Style Wine Glass Storage Chest, Natural Canvas with Brown TrimStore glassware safely in this cotton canvas storage chest from WHITNEY DESIGN. This chest is designed to hold 12 each goblet style stemware. It is tan in color with chocolate brown piping and the front panel has a clear see-through window to allow the contents to be seen. Cardboard dividers are provided to store a service for 12. Two handles on the side are attached by rivets and can support weight up to 25 pounds. The chest setup size is 10-1/2-inch by 16-1/2-inch by 13-inch .
