Does Wine Go Bad in the Fridge?

You know that an unopened wine bottle can be stored for years, but what about after you pop the cork? Does wine go bad in the fridge? Or can you just keep it there for a while until you have the urge to drink more?

Let’s take a look at the best wine storage practices, and answer whether wine storage in the fridge is actually a good way to go about it.

Don’t Let It Remain Open!

Wine coming in contact with too much air is bad news for the wine. Oxidation of the elements of the wine, drastically interfere with the chemical makeup of the wine and as a result, render it discolored, smelly and unfit for consumption. Oxidized wine will turn brown and sharply acidic after sufficient time.

Therefore, always re-cork a wine bottle when putting it in the fridge to finish later.




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Is Refrigeration the Right Answer?

While refrigeration of opened wine is a nice idea, one has to be really careful in its handling. White wine and sparkling wine, like champagne, is often recommended to be chilled in a fridge. However, red wine can be chilled only after it has been opened. The ideal temperature to store any wine is between 40 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Opened wine once stored in the fridge is prevented from decaying rapidly, thereby successively preserving the taste and flavor of the wine for a few days. For this to work, the wine should be tightly corked in order to prevent more air from entering the bottle.

How Long is OK to Keep Wine in the Fridge?

So once placed in the fridge, how long can it be stored before the wine is unfit for consumption?

The answer depends on the type, but a good rule of thumb is three days. Once a bottle of wine has been opened, it is imperative that you consume it within the next three days.

It’s true that there are special inserts available that once fixed into the stopper, remove the air from the bottle to a large extent. These are great for making sure wine doesn’t go bad quickly during the first few days after opening, but it can’t return your wine to an un-corked condition, because oxygen has already been mixed in when you first popped the cork.

Therefore, it is just best for you and the wine that you use it up within a couple of days at the most. This way, you will be able to make the best of the freshness of the wine, without which, all flavor is lost to oxidation.

Bottom Line

The three day limit is the rule to live by for storing and consuming wine from the fridge. Moreover, opened wine should be safeguarded from light, strong smells and unnecessary movement, just like unopened wine is.




Compressor vs. Thermoelectric Wine Coolers

For wine to have a good taste it needs to be stored under stable conditions. This is because wine is made of different chemicals which continuously react with each other in order to give the wine a better taste. If the wine is not stored under the correct temperature there will be an unbalanced reaction of the chemicals and this may ruin the taste of the wine. There are various ways of storing wine. However, most people are increasingly turning to wine coolers as a means of storing wine. This is because the wine cooler creates a perfect temperature which improves the taste of the wine and also the aroma. There are two types of wine coolers based on the technology used: thermoelectric wine coolers and compressor wine coolers. They both preserve wine but using different methods. As they both have their advantages and disadvantages, a common question when comparing compressor vs thermoelectric wine coolers is “which is better?”

Thermoelectric Wine Coolers

Thermoelectric wine coolers preserve wine using a peltier plate. The plate has two sides. One is hot and the other is cold, resulting in a heat transfer. The plate works in such a way that it absorbs warm air from the wine cabinets and disperses it out into the surrounding air.




Advantages of a Thermoelectric Wine Cooler

1. It is Energy Efficient – A thermoelectric wine cooler uses a peltier plate which uses little amount of electricity. The fact that it also has less moving parts also makes it use less energy. This benefits the user as well as the environment.
2. Quiet Operation – The fact that it has less moving parts makes it generate little noise when it is operating. This is convenient especially if the user is irritated by noise.
3. Vibration Free – Thermoelectric wine coolers do not vibrate at all. This helps them create a favorable environment for wine, especially if one intends to store wine for long.

Read Thermoelectric Wine Cooler Reviews HERE

Disadvantages of Thermoelectric Wine Coolers

1. Weak Cooling Levels – The peltier plate has weak levels of cooling. The peltier plate is often only able to store and chill wine at temperatures ranging from 55-65 °F and it can’t cool wine down more than 20°F below the ambient room temperature. This makes it inappropriate to use in a room which has higher temperatures because it will be overwhelmed in terms of cooling the wine.
2. Expensive Operation – Although they use less energy, thermoelectric wine coolers need to be on all the time and thus they increase the cost of operation.
3. Small Capacity – They are only convenient to use with wine refrigerators that have small capacity. This makes it expensive to use if you have a large amount of bottles that you want to cool.

Compressor vs. Thermoelectric Wine Coolers

Compressor Wine Coolers

These use a vapor compression cycle to eliminate heat from the wine cabinet. It has four parts; compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator. The compressor pressurizes gas, while the condenser releases heat into the environment. The expansion valve reduces air pressure, while the evaporator absorbs heat from the air which cools the wine.

Advantages of Compressor Wine Coolers

1. Powerful Operation – It has a powerful cooling capacity when compared to thermoelectric wine coolers. This makes it convenient to use with many built-in units. Many large capacity units also make use of compressors.
2. Handles High Capacities – The fact that they have a powerful cooling system makes it possible for them to be used with a large number of wine bottles. This is of great benefit to people who have a large collection of wine.
3. Adapt to the Environment – The compressor wine cooler is able to adapt to changing temperatures of the environment, and is able to maintain a stable internal temperature. If one intends to store their wine in the basement or in a place which isn’t  insulated, then the compressor wine cooler is the best option.

Read Compressor Wine Cooler Reviews HERE

Disadvantages of Compressor Wine Coolers

1. Small Vibrations – They have many moving parts and as a result they vibrate slightly. This necessitates one to use rubber brushing in order to absorb the movements.
2. Slight Noise Output – The moving parts of the compressor cooler result in the production of some noise. It usually produces the same noise as that of a normal refrigerator. If you live in a small studio apartment, this extra noise may be enough to make you favor a thermoelectric cooling model instead.




How Long Can You Store Wine After Opening a Bottle?

Wine drinkers world wide thoroughly enjoy their daily glass of wine, and not wasting a drop. But how long can a bottle of wine really last once it has been opened? There are so many different types of wine, that the question must be split up.

The types of wine that stay fresh for the least amount of time are usually sparkling wines, like champagne. Sparkling wines last an average of 2 days. This is if you have a sparkling wine stopper and have placed the bottle in a refrigerator.

White wines, such as Rosé or Moscato, will usually last an average of 6 days with a cork in it and placed in a refrigerator. A fuller bodied white wine, like Chardonnay or Riesling, will stay fresh for a shorter period of time, usually around 4 days with a cork in it and placed in a refrigerator as well.

Red wines, such as Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon, have a similar expiration date to full bodied white wines, where they usually stay fresh up until about 4 days. The difference with red wine, is that it needs to be stored in dark yet cool place, and it must have a cork in it.

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If you fancy a fortified wine, such as Sherry, your time of freshness is greatly extended, compared to other wines. You can make a fortified wine last around 28 days stored in a cool dark area with a cork in it.

Similar to fortified wines, bag-in-a-box wine can also last somewhere around 28 days. The difference in these two, is that the boxed wine needs to be stored in a refrigerator, as opposed to a cool dark place.

Wine doesn’t necessarily harm you when it has passed its expiration. It just won’t taste very good, and you’ll feel that you’ve wasted money on a fine bottle by letting it go bad before enjoying it.

How Long Can You Keep Red Wine Once Opened?

Red wine can be stored for a long time in bottles, and often gets better with age. But how long can you keep red wine once opened?

Red wines range from delicate Pinot Noirs and Beaujolais to powerhouse Amarone and Malbecs. Regardless of the variety, red wines have a place on our dinner table and wine list. It’s amazing to share a glass of wine with your friend over dinner or during a special occasion. Don’t feel guilty; red wine is rich in the antioxidant polyphenol which is healthy for your heart and prevents memory loss associated with old age. If you have ever wondered how long you can keep your red wine after opening it, read more to find the answers you have been looking for.

Before specifying the exact time your red wine can last before spoiling, it is worth to understand that wine spoils due to oxygen and light. The ultraviolet rays from the sun degrade your wine. For that reason, most of the red wines bottles are dark in color to protect the wine from the sun. When you pull the cork of your red wine, you expose its content to the oxygen. Oxygen spoils your red wine because it turns it into vinegar due to oxidation. Oxidized red wines lack flavor and turn from bright red to brown.

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The expected time your red wine can last once opened is 3-5 days. Red wine contains tannins which stave off the process of oxygenation. With more tannins, your red wine can last for up to five days. Pinot Noir, for instance, has little tannins and sensitive to light, and can only last for at most three days. Beaujolais lasts for four days and five days for the Rhône.

Always Re-Cork Your Opened Wine Bottle

vacu-vin-wine-saverYour red wine can last less than the stated time depending on how you store it. It is advisable to re-cork your red wine after every glass pour. Keep the red wine bottle out of light. Storing your red wine in the refrigerator keeps it fresh for a longer time. If you intend to keep your red wine for a week after opening it, you may consider having a wine preserving tool like Vacu Vin Wine Saver. This tool is a little pump with a bottle stopper. After opening your wine, you can put the stopper and create a vacuum by sucking out air using Vacu Vin Wine Saver.

Wine drinking is a beautiful experience. If you and your company can finish a bottle of red wine in an evening, that’s great. But if you want to enjoy for a few days, understand how long you can keep red wine once opened, and maintain its quality, taste, and color, for even better experiences.

How Long is it Recommended to Keep Opened Red Wine?

Please note that the information given here represents the maximum amount of time that your opened wine would still be reasonably drinkable. I don’t particularly recommend allowing any opened bottle to go over 3 days. I do, however, find that an opened bottle of red wine often tastes even better on the second day. Provided that you re-corked it, kept it refrigerated, and then gave it about an hour to warm up again (still re-corked) before drinking on the second evening.

I know sometimes the wine is just too tasty and you want to finish the bottle. But other times you just want to enjoy a glass or 2, get the health benefits, and yet still be able to wake up early for work the next day. In that case, it’s perfectly fine to stretch a bottle of red wine out over a couple days.

Kalamera 80-Bottle Freestanding Compressor Wine Cooler Review

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The Kalamera 80 Bottle Freestanding Compressor Wine Cooler uses advanced compressor technology to cool your wine. I like how it can cool my wines to temperatures as low as 40°F. Unlike regular refrigerators, its compressor runs quietly without causing vibrations. It can store up to 80 bottles of wine. That makes this the natural choice if you’re looking for a wine cellar cooler to grow a large collection with.

Product Features

Cools All Bottles Evenly

The Kalamera 80 Bottle Freestanding Compressor Wine Cooler has slat-styled shelves that allow air to flow freely throughout this wine cooler. That allows all the wines to chill to the desired temperature irrespective of their location in the cooler. I love wine that is chilled properly. That is why I like the fact that with this wine cooler, I can enjoy wines that are as cold as 40°F.

Digital Temperature Control

kalamera_80_bottle_wine_cooler_temperature_control_detailSetting the temperature of this wine cooler is a breeze. It has a digital control panel for you to raise or lower temperature using up/down arrows. The desired temperature is then displayed, and the cooler’s advanced compressor will work quietly to achieve that temperature. The digital display and blue interior light give the nice digital look to this 80 bottle wine cooler.

Quiet Compressor

This wine cooler uses an advanced quiet compressor that allows it to run quietly. It does not make that sharp noise that most refrigerators are prone to making. That allows it to stay in your kitchen or living room without drawing any unnecessary attention due to its noise. I prefer storing my pricey wines in the bedroom where I can quickly take inventory whenever I want at the end of the day. A quiet compressor is therefore very convenient for me.

Freestanding Design

The freestanding design of this wine cooler makes it easy to store in any room at home. You do not need to place it on top of the kitchen counter or shelf. Its tall, slim design makes use of vertical space. It is perfect for any situation where you want to take advantage of vertical space to avoid clutter. Whenever I have had to manage my living space, I have come to learn that if you stack some items upwards, you end up with some much needed space left. This wine cooler takes care of that.

80 Bottles Capacity

kalamera_80_bottle_wine_cooler_wood_shelf_detailMost wine coolers designed for use at home hold less than 20 bottles. That means you sometimes cannot store enough wine bottles as a collector. This model allows you to grow a large collection over time. The reliable cooling mechanism allows you to store your wine precious vintages at optimal temperature without worrying about them spoiling. And with the even cooling throughout, any one of those bottles will be ready to drink when you’re in the mood.

No Vibrations

This wine cooler uses a compressor that runs not just quietly but also without noticeable vibrations. That is important because vibrations disturb the sediments in wine, ruining its taste. The ability to chill wine to 40°F without causing vibrations is not something that is easy to find in a wine cooler.

Pros

  • Energy efficient, it is designed to use less energy when cooling your wines.
  • Stores 80 bottles, which is enough for home wine storage.
  • Runs quietly and it is totally silent at a distant of 10 feet.
  • Does not vibrate when operating.
  • Free standing and makes use of vertical space.
  • Very affordable for its capacity.

Cons

  • Cools your wines slowly.
  • It needs some effort to take out the shelves when surrounding shelves are full.
  • Small feet, the door, might rub the floor if placed on a carpet.

Summary

If you intend to start a wine collection, this is the best wine cooler to have. It will cool your wine and easily hold its temperature within a range of 40°F-66°F. It will not cause any vibrations, meaning it conserves the quality of your wine. Finally, it runs quietly to make sure that it does not cause any disturbance. I would not hesitate to recommend this wine fridge to my best friends if they were interested in seeking a large capacity cooler.

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Avanti 12-Bottle Thermoelectric Countertop Wine Cooler Review

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The Avanti EWC1201 12 Bottle Wine Cooler is a unique wine storage appliance designed for use at home. It runs quietly and efficiently. Its interior allows you to store wines both in a horizontal and vertical position to accommodate four open bottles. It is environment-friendly, and I love the fact that it uses a digital controller to regulate its internal temperature.

Product Features

No Vibrations

The Avanti 12 Bottle Wine Cooler operates without any vibration because it does not use a compressor. There are no moving parts inside except for small fans that circulate the cooled air. It uses a thermoelectric design to cool its interior. It is the kind of cooler that is pleasant to use at your home because of its silent operation. I find the quality of the wine after being stored inside it to be similar to what you get from use of an actual wine cellar.

Classic Cabinet Design

Its classic design looks great on the kitchen counter or in the bedroom. It has just enough decoration to make it blend with other electronic appliances. Its digital display panel gives it a look of a modern kitchen appliance designed to perfection.

Compact Design

The compact design which takes more vertical space than horizontal space means that you do not waste much of your kitchen counter space. If you have an open kitchen, you will love showing off this unique wine cooler.

Silent Operation

I like the fact this wine cooler does not make any noise when working to cool your wine. I enjoy the fact I can have it in my bedroom and forget it is even there. If you like to meditate or do other activities that require a silent environment, then you will love this wine cooler. It cools your wine and stays silent at the same time.

Power Efficiency

Without the use of a compressor, they were able to not only avoid vibration and noise—they lowered its power consumption as well. You can rest assured your energy bill will not shoot up because you bought this great wine cooler.

Environmentally Friendly

No compressor means this wine cooler has no Freon in it as well. I find that to be a great relief when buying it. It just feels good knowing that you are not polluting the environment at the same time that you indulge yourself.

Pros

  • It is efficient. Your energy bills will not be affected much.
  • It is easy to operate and allows storage of four bottles vertically and eight horizontally.
  • Blends well with other kitchen appliances.
  • Operates silently, you can sleep with it in your bedroom. Great for those living in a studio apartment.
  • Does not vibrate when in the running. Your wine’s sediment, therefore, remains undisturbed just like in a wine cellar.

Cons

  • The door is a little fragile. You have to open it with care to avoid making it come off the hinges.
  • This is not a chiller. You can only use it to store wine down to 53 degrees Fahrenheit. Fine for reds, but whites might need extra chilling before serving.

Conclusion

Even though you will not be able to use this model to chill your white wine, you can happily use it to store both reds and whites without ruining their unique character. I like it that I can have a micro wine cellar at my kitchen counter. And the vertical orientation of this unit gives it a very small footprint on your countertop. The ability to store 4 open bottles upright is another unique feature that will appeal to some. It would make a special gift for any wine lover you know.

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EdgeStar 36 Bottle Built-In Dual Zone French Door Wine Cooler Review

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Like many people, I enjoy a nicely chilled bottle of wine occasionally. It is also nice to have a variety to choose from because I don’t always like to drink the same thing. It can depend on the time of year, the type of food I am consuming the wine with, or even what my guests prefer. If you want to have ready access to a large variety of red and white wines, you should consider getting a dual-zone wine cooler. I decided to give the EdgeStar 36 Bottle Built-In Dual Zone French Door Wine Cooler a try to see if it lives up to my needs and expectations.

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Features

I gave the cooler a through inspection upon buying it. The first thing I noticed was the modern design. The stainless steel and glass construction has the ability to blend into just about any decor. This EdgeStar wine cooler has a 36 bottle capacity which is plenty of room for storing a wide variety of both reds and whites.

It has french style doors and two different zones for greater temperature control. If for instance, you wanted to chill red and white wine at two different temperatures then you could do it with no problems.

edgestar_36_bottle_built-in_wine_cooler_colseupThe glass that forms the front doors is a tempered glass that has a black dot pattern. The cabinet part of the cooler is black with the stainless steel featured on the front. There are locks on each of the doors and matching stainless door handles. The dimensions for the cooler are 34 1/8″ H x 23 1/2″ W x 22 5/8″ D.

Inside of the cooler, there are wooden shelves that feature stainless trim. There is a total of ten slide out shelves for the unit.

Pros

  • This is a very stylish and sleek wine cooler. I love the way it brings a touch of sophistication to the area that you will be using it in.
  • It has a compressor but it runs quietly and smoothly.
  • It also gives you the option of using it as a built-in unit or a freestanding unit.
  • There’s also a double digital thermometer on the front so that you can see the exact temperature on each side.
  • The blue interior light gives the unit ambiance.
  • It also does a good job of keeping the temperature stable on both sides once it is filled.

Cons

The few drawbacks to this unit are quite minor.

  • If you want a completely quiet unit then I would suggest looking elsewhere. Even though it is quiet compared to other coolers with a compressor, it still makes some noise.
  • The light looks great inside but it does little to give you visibility when looking at the labels on the wine bottles.

Overall

If you are looking for a versatile and stylish wine cooler with plenty of features the this is the wine cooler for you. You will, however, have to be willing to look beyond the dim lighting and the slight noise that the compressor makes but if that is something that you can live with, you will be delighted with this purchase. It’s especially good for those who want a built-in model to go under the counter with dual-zone chilling for a collection of reds and whites.

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Igloo FRW133 12-Bottle Wine Cooler Review

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The Igloo FRW133 12-Bottle Wine Cooler is the perfect wine cooler for storage of a modest wine stash at home. I like it that it can hold up to 12 bottles and cool them down to 52 degrees. It does that without making any noise like a regular fridge does. I find its unique compact design blends very well with my other kitchen appliances.

Product Features

Holds a Maximum of 12 Bottles

This wine mini cooler is everything you need at home for storing your wines. It can cool them down to 52 degrees Fahrenheit, which is below the recommended temperature of 55°F for storing wine. So you can safely store your wines for as long as you want. For many casual wine drinkers, this 12 bottle capacity is plenty.

Digital Temperature Control

It uses a micro-controller to keep its internal temperature in check. That is helpful when you are looking for a stabilized temperature to store your wine. All I have to do is set the right temperature on its digital display panel, and then the micro-controller will do the rest. It does not cool the wine instantly. However, it does hold the temperature constant once it reaches the temperature you have set.

Adjustable Interior Space

I found out that you can take out the shelves to increase the interior space of a row if you need to. That is helpful when you have bigger wine bottles to store.

Double Layer Glass Design

The double layered glass design improves its cooling capability. That is because the gap of air between panes of glass slows heats loss by convection. It also offers addition structural strength to this compact wine cooler.

Thermoelectric Cooling System

The Igloo FRW133 12-Bottle Wine Cooler is environment-friendly. It does not use a compressor to cool its interior. It, therefore, does not pollute the environment with Freon, a coolant in compressors.

Silent Operation

Since this mini cooler uses a thermoelectric cooling system instead of a compressor, it can run more quietly as compared to other cooling systems. You can have it in your bedroom, and you will sleep comfortably without being kept awake by noise. The only moving parts are small fans that help to circulate the cooled air in its interior.

No Vibrations

Another advantage of this type of cooling system is a lack of vibrations. That means your wine’s sediments stay undisturbed for the entire duration of storage. Therefore, when you finally take out the wine, you can enjoy its crispy taste because it will taste like any professionally stored wine. After that, you will not want to store your wines in your fridge again.

Pros

  • It’s super silent compared to a fridge. You can have it in the kitchen or even in your bedroom.
  • The compact size of this wine cooler is ideal for conserving spaces in your kitchen.
  • Its unique design makes it easy to blend it with the rest of the kitchen appliances.
  • Sufficient capacity for many wine lovers.

Cons

  • The cooling only goes down to 52 degrees F. So it’s not ideal for chilling white wines down to serving temps.
  • If you want to take out the shelf, you have to open the door by at least 90 degrees.
  • Open the door with care. It can come off its hinges if you are not careful.

Conclusion

This wine cooler cannot chill your white wines to 50 degrees F or below. If you, however, want to store your wine, it will do a perfect job. It is environmentally friendly and does not make disturbing noises. I also love its unique design that blends with other kitchen appliances. It is a great small-capacity wine storage device to have at home. I find it to be the kind of wine cooler I would give someone as a gift.

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FireBird 8-Bottle Wine Cooler Review

firebird_8-bottle_thermoelectric_wine_cooler_cellar_chiller_refrigeratorIn recent years, wine coolers have moved out of the realm of wine snobbery and into the mainstream. It’s not just people with expensive and rare vintages who are interested in these handy appliances, but everyday wine drinkers who would like to keep a few bottles at the perfect drinking temperature. While the perception about wine fridges has changed, many still aren’t suitable for the average sized home. And if space is at a premium in your kitchen, finding a wine chiller that will fit in will be a challenge.

One option for those who would like a compact, freestanding cellar is the FireBird 8-Bottle Wine Cooler. It looks good, can easily fit inside most kitchens, and is a cinch to operate. But does its performance stack up? Here’s a closer look at this fun little electric wine cooler.

Details

Size

The most notable feature of the FireBird 8-Bottle Wine Cooler is its size. It’s only 16 inches wide, 19.5 inches deep, and 11 inches tall, making it a candidate for counter top storage or to go into tight spaces. Whether you have a large kitchen or a very small one, you can probably find a place to fit this chiller and have room to spare.

Operation

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Out of the box, the product looks good and only needs to be plugged in and allowed to chill before it’s used. It has two shelves that each hold four bottles, for a total capacity of eight wine bottles. The fan inside of the FireBird 8-Bottle Wine Cooler is thermoelectric, energy efficient, reduces vibration, and runs relatively quietly. It’s not silent by any means, but it definitely won’t drown out what’s going on in your home. You’ll eventually get used to the sound and stop noticing it.

Temperature Control

To control the fridge you use its electronic touchpad, and the temperature is displayed an the LED screen. Here’s where this cooler can get iffy. It doesn’t always reach the temperature that it’s set to. Usually this happens when you don’t position the unit with enough space for ventilation. Make sure you keep it about 2 inches from the wall for best functioning. The lowest the temperature can be set to 44 degrees F. That makes this model best for red wines, as you might need to pop whites into the fridge for a bit before drinking. Still, if you’re a big red drinker and you don’t need tons of storage, this cooler could fit the bill.

Pros

The FireBird 8-Bottle Wine Cooler has some features and benefits that we worth noting:

  • It’s small and can fit in just about any kitchen space.
  • Its color palette and design are neutral enough to complement most decor styles.
  • This fridge is easy to set up and use.
  • It holds eight bottles, which will meet the needs of many.

Cons

For all its good features, this wine cooler has some points of concern:

  • It’s temperature control isn’t 100% reliable.
  • If you need to store more than eight bottles, this isn’t a good option.

Summary

If you most frequently drink red wine, or you don’t mind using this cooler just for storing reds, its price point makes it a decent option. It’s small, has no fuss operation, and works for the most part. However, if you’re thinking of storing sparkling wines or whites, and your intent is to get a cooler that will keep them at drinking temperature, it’s best to look into a different cooler.

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Kalamera 30-Bottle Built-in or Freestanding Wine Refrigerator Review

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The aroma and flavor of wine is way more enhanced when it’s served chilled properly. The trick, however, is in achieving the right temperature. Before I knew any better, I used to put all my wines in an ordinary refrigerator—and the results were always disastrous. Either the wine was too cold or too warm.

I realized I needed more precise control—to find that threshold where the temperature is just perfect, so I decided to buy a wine refrigerator. A wine refrigerator is not like an ordinary refrigerator—it’s specifically designed to store wine. Not only does it keep your wine cool but it also ages it to bring out its true characteristic and full flavor potential.

After reading a few reviews online, I decided to purchase the Kalamera 30-Bottle Built-in Wine Refrigerator as my first wine fridge.

Kalamera 30-Bottle Wine Fridge

This is a versatile unit that you can set up in any activity area in your home such as the living room as a freestanding wine cooler. It is also designed so that it can be used under the counter as a built-in refrigerator. It keeps your wine perfectly chilled to your desired temperature thanks to a proficient single-zone system. The product has an elegant look what with the interior being illuminated by a soft blue light and a gleaming stainless steel frame. This wine cooler basically has everything you need to benefit from the best, perfectly chilled wine.

Features

The refrigerator can hold up to 30 bottles of wine on slotted beech wood shelves. It’s made of a stainless steel frame and it has two layers of tempered glass. This ensures that the temperature inside doesn’t fluctuate and it also prevents fogging.

It’s not as noisy as an ordinary refrigerator and the vibration levels are very low thanks to the pre-installed advanced compressor technology.

The LED control display lets you set the temperature very easily so you can always rest easy knowing that your wine is cooling at the perfect temperature at all times.

You can install it anywhere. It does not take up a lot of space so you can store it in the bar or kitchen area.

Pros

  • First, it’s very easy to install and easy to use. Installing the door handle was a breeze. All I had to do was peel back the seal on the interior side of the door to reveal two screw holes.
  • Also, I like how the compressor is very quiet and cools very fast. I thought the reviews online had exaggerated this feature but it appears that this wine refrigerator is actually very reliable. I still bought the four year extended warranty even though it appears to be a far much more reliable unit than most of the other wine coolers. Many other inferior models seem to fail after one or two years.
  • Another wonderful feature is that this unit will cool all the way down to 40 degrees F. I personally don’t set it that low since I mainly drink red wines. However, if you’re a big fan of whites you should be happy to know that this model will chill your vino down much cooler than thermoelectric models typically can.

Cons

  • It’s a little more expensive than some other models with a similar capacity. However, as with all things, you usually get what you pay for. The quality in this unit is really top notch.
  • One thing I noticed when the unit arrived was that the glass door was cracked. it must have gotten damaged during shipping. That said, the company sent me a replacement door immediately, and the Kalamera representative was very helpful and friendly.

Summary

Overall, this wine cooler is really well made. It’s not noisy, it cools wine very fast and the temperature inside remains constant at all times. It’s solid and a little hefty at 72 lbs, but doesn’t take up much floor space and can practically fit anywhere. I’d say it’s rather attractive and provides good value. I would definitely recommend this unit to anyone looking for a mid-sized wine cooler who plans on storing more than 20 bottles.

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