Luxury Wine Cooler Buyers Guide

Whether you're a seasoned wine enthusiast or just beginning to explore the world of wine, proper storage and serving temperature can make all the difference in preserving and enjoying the flavours and aromas of your favourite wines. This is where a wine cooler can make all the difference.

In this buyer's guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know to make an informed decision, from understanding different types of wine coolers to choosing the perfect size and features for your collection.

What is a wine cooler, and what are the benefits?

Wine coolers, also known as wine refrigerators or wine cellars, are perfect for those wanting to aspire to a luxury entertaining experience, enjoyed by friends and family.

The main benefit of a wine cooler is to store your wine collection in a controlled environment ensuring the very best results. If wine isn't stored at the correct temperature for example, it won't mature as intended, can age faster or even become bitter.
A wine cooler also allows you to display your collection in an impressive way and giving your kitchen the 'wow' factor.

Choose your installation type

Freestanding

Freestanding wine coolers can be placed anywhere in your home. With a taller design, more bottles can be housed.

View all freestanding wine coolers

Built-in

For a seamless, streamlined kitchen choose a built-in wine cooler. Smeg offer 60cm and 45cm height options for added flexibility.

View all built-in wine coolers

Undercounter

A built-under wine cooler will slot beneath your kitchen worktop counter.

View all built-under wine coolers

Choose your required bottle capacity

An important consideration is how many bottles you want to store. Below are the options available within the Smeg wine cooler range.

Choose your colour

Colour is a great way to draw attention to your collection or make it discreet in the kitchen

Features we love

Sommelier drawers

Suitable for installation directly beneath 45cm high wine coolers, sommelier drawers contain the essential equipment a connoisseur needs to store and decant fine wines.

Bottle-friendly shelving

Removable shelves are great for creating more space for larger sized bottles like Burgundy and Champagne, as well as a corrogated bottom which adapts perfectly to the shape of bottles regardless of diameter. Sliding shelves meanwhile allow for easy access to your wine collection.

Temperature control

A dual zone wine cooler has two temperautre zones, so you can store white and red wines at the same time. For a simplier option, choose a single zone wine cooler which has just one temperature zone.

UV-resistant glass doors

Light and UV rays can alter a wine's organoleptic structure, so it is important that wine is stored in a protected environment. The UV ray-resistant glass is essential in protecting against these harmful UV rays that damage the quality of the wines.

Anti-vibration systems

Even the smallest vibrations can affect wine by lifting sediments. This causes different components to mix, altering the balance developed during the ageing period. In order to protect the bottles against these damaging effects, Smeg wine coolers are equipped with a cooling system that keeps vibrations down to a minimum. The sliding Oak racks also allow you to easily remove the bottles from the wine cooler in a practical and safe way, preventing rubbing and abrupt movements.

Charcoal air filters

A special carbon filter allows to insulate temperature and humidity within the wine cellar, facilitating the preservation of the set parameters. Furthermore, the filter allows the air quality to remain constant and unaltered, shielding it from external factors such as scents and bad smells, which could interfere with the cooler microclimate, and affect the taste of the wine.

Adjustable lighting levels

Solar light, and UV rays in particular, can alter the wine's organoleptic structure, ruining its balance and flattening its scent; red wine loses its tone, while white wine takes on a typical yellowish colour.

The choice of using cold LED lighting maintains a constant temperature and gives perfect visibility to the racks.

FAQs

What temperature should a wine fridge be?

It is important to select the correct temperature for different types of drinks. Make sure your cooler allows you to set and maintain specific temperatures for different types of wine.

The ideal temperature for wines are:
Semi-sparkling and sparkling wines: 7-10°C
White wines: 9-12°C
Rosé wines: 10-12°C
Young red wines: 14-17°C
Full-bodied red wines: 17-20°C

How long does it take to chill wine?

The time it takes to chill wine depends on several factors, including the initial temperature of the wine, the desired serving temperature, and the method you use to chill it. If you have a wine cooler, these appliances are designed to chill wine more efficiently and can bring a bottle to the desired temperature in a shorter time frame, typically within 15-30 minutes.

Can wine coolers be used to store beer or soft drinks?

While wine coolers are designed primarily for wine storage, you can use them to store other beverages if you wish. Just keep in mind that wine coolers typically have wine-friendly temperature settings, so you may need to adjust the temperature to suit your other beverage preferences like beer which needs a cooler storage temperature.

Do I need to rotate my wines in a wine fridge?

It is a common misconception that rotating your bottles prevents sediment buildup, it actually stirs the sediment into the wine, rather than allowing it to settle in one location. It's is therefore advisable to refrain from disturbing your bottles and ensure they are left on their side until serving.

Need help?

Did you know that Smeg has a dedicated support website that is full of useful information about our products, including how to register your warranty?

Read our FAQ's