Wine is becoming an ever-increasing favorite of many people. With over 1000 different wine varieties, the choices one has seem nearly infinite. As wine's popularity with us increases, the requirements for good wine storage need consideration. Wine is a perishable food that when improperly stored will lose value and flavor and eventually could end up undrinkable.

How does one get the right wine storage appliance to meet their needs? If you are the person that brings home the occasional bottle of wine for that special dinner or party, it is okay to store the wine on its side in the refrigerator until you use it. However, if you are thinking about having several bottles of wine on hand for future use and aging them to perfection, your refrigerator is a poor choice for storing your wine. Several factors need your consideration to find the wine cooler that fits your needs.

FIRST, you need to decide what your wine storage objective is. How much wine do you want to store? What kinds of wine do you want to have on hand? How long do you plan to store it? Wine coolers are available that can store from a few bottles to hundreds of bottles. If you plan to store a mix of red and white wines, a dual-zone wine cooler would be a good choice; different wines should be stored at their optimum temperature. The best place to store your wine undisturbed until it reaches it best age is a wine cooler.

SECOND, especially in today's world, the cost of the wine cooler is an important factor. Wine coolers range in price from under $100 to several thousand dollars. Custom built wine cabinets can easily cost over $10,000. Dual-zone wine coolers will cost more than single-zone coolers and front-venting wine coolers for under-counter applications will cost more than freestanding ones. Some beverage centers can store wine as well as a good mix of canned beverages.

THIRD, the space you have available for a wine cooler is another important consideration. If you live in a small apartment or condominium, several wine coolers are available that can fit on top of your kitchen counter. Freestanding wine coolers come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and can be installed anywhere you have a niche to fill. Built-in wine coolers, designed to fit under your countertop, come in the same dimensions as standard kitchen cabinets.

FOURTH, consider your home's décor when selecting a wine cooler. Wine coolers on the market today come in all different styles and colors. From basic white and black to models with gleaming chrome or stainless steel finishes, there are many choices that will make your wine cooler accent your décor instead of detract from it.

I truly believe that an investment in a wine cooler that fits your needs is an investment in improving your enjoyment of wine. You will need to evaluate and balance all the decision criteria. Consider the factors that are appropriate for you and then invest in a cooler that will keep your favorite wine cool and ready for you to serve. Source