Wine is among the most beloved beverages on the planet, but you must store the bottles properly if you want to get the most out of them.
Wine should be stored in wine cellars if possible, as these places can maintain the correct amount of humidity and ambient temperature, but not everyone has the good fortune to own one.
But where and how should the wine be stored? Let try to find out the answer.
Where should wine be stored?
If you want your wine’s organoleptic properties to stay the same over time, keep the bottles in a moist and cool setting. The ideal humidity level for preventing mold growth and cork drying is 75-80 percent.
However, humidity isn’t the only thing to consider if you want to keep your wine’s quality. You can also decide the proper temperature based on the type of wine you want to protect.
The temperature for sparkling wines, such as champagne and prosecco, should be between 39 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit. The white and rosé wines should be kept between 42 and 54 degrees Fahrenheit. The red wines should be kept between 50 and 64°F.
So, depending on the kind of wine you want to make or collect, pick a wine cooler that can keep the wines at the proper temperature.
Now the question is, what are wine coolers?
About Wine Coolers
A wine cooler is a refrigerator-like device that comes in various styles to satisfy both aesthetic and functional requirements. As a result, some manufacturers produce excellent wine refrigerators for both wine lovers and winemakers.
When getting a wine cooler, the first thing to consider is whether you want to use it to store wine for a more extended time or only to chill it before serving.
If you have a set of various styles of wine, a dual-zone wine cooler is the way to go. A dual-zone wine cooler is a good option if you want to use the same unit for storage and cooling before serving.
There are some characteristics to look for before purchasing a wine cooler, regardless of the type you’re considering:
- Class on energy
- Dimensional Ability
- Number of temperatures
- Dual-zone cooling, a safety lock, digital controls, and other options are available.
But these coolers take a lot of space and are a bit expensive, so what’s the solution for this? A small under-counter wine cooler may suffice if you intend to store your wine in a wine cellar and use the wine cooler to chill the drink before serving.
What is an under-counter wine cooler?
Many manufacturers also make small under-counter wine coolers suitable for people who have limited space in their homes or who own a wine business and need to chill a few bottles away from prying eyes.
The Different Types Of Wine Coolers
The wine coolers can be classified as follows, depending on where they are placed in your home:
Freestanding coolers: These coolers are very similar to standard refrigerators and come in a wide range of sizes. These wine coolers are incredibly versatile because their construction allows them to be used in various locations. For example they can be used in the kitchen, living room, and even the wine cellar.
Countertop coolers: These coolers are suitable for those with limited space or need a wine cooler to chill wine before serving rather than to preserve it. These models are minimal, and you won’t store more than 24 bottles in them.
Built-in coolers: These wine coolers are suitable for those with limited space in their homes. Also, they can be a good choice for those who own a wine business and want to serve chilled wines; you will need to invest in the cooler. The difference between these coolers and the rest is that they don’t need any ventilation space around them. However, if the manufacturer does not explicitly state that installing a wine cooler in a cabinet is safe, you should not do so. Small under-counter wine coolers make up the majority of the built-in appliances.
The Advantages Of Having A Small Wine Cooler Under Your Counter
Small under-counter wine coolers have several advantages in addition to being lightweight, making them suitable for any home-
The first and most significant benefit is that they are specifically built to store wine, so you can rest assured that your prized beverage will be held in the best possible condition at all times. Even if you could fit a standard minibar refrigerator under your kitchen counter, those refrigerators aren’t designed to store wine.
Second, since there are so many small under-counter wine coolers on the market, you’ll almost certainly find one that suits your decor.
When it comes to storage, there are various choices, including a wine cooler that can hold up to 24 bottles.
Finally, you can select between a single zone cooler and a dual-zone cooler, depending on your set’s diversity.
Additional benefit: If you’re concerned about the cost, keep in mind that most of these devices are inexpensive, so you’ll most likely be able to find one that suits your budget.
Reviews of the Best Small Under Counter Wine Cooler
EdgeStar 18 Bottle Built-In Wine Cooler
The EdgeStar 18 Bottle Built-In Wine Cooler is one of the most common small under-counter wine coolers. This device is slim and elegant, making it easy to incorporate into your kitchen cabinet under the counter.
This device has a single cooling zone that can be easily controlled thanks to the integrated digital controls and can accommodate approximately 18 standard-size bottles. This unit’s temperature ranges from 40 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, making it suitable for both preserving and cooling your beverage.
This wine cooler can successfully fit any form of décor thanks to its ultra-slim design and beautiful finishing, while its anti-freeze feature keeps your wines healthy.
Pros:
Elegant design: this wine cooler features six stylish wooden shelves and a traditional black cabinet in a sleek and sleek design.
Tinted glass: the tempered glass door has a dot pattern to provide better UV protection.
Shelf bottle layout: the shelves are built in a convenient design to optimize the cooler’s capacity.
12-inch width: space is no longer an issue since this unit is just 12 inches wide and fits comfortably into tight spaces.
Cons:
Because of its narrow dimensions, this wine cooler is only suitable for regular Bordeaux bottles. The larger bottles are too big to match.
AKDY 18 Bottle Single Zone Thermoelectric Wine Cooler Cellar
This wine cooler from AKDY has the same size as the EdgeStar. It is and is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a small under-counter wine cooler.
This single zone device uses thermoelectric technology to keep your wines in the best possible condition. This unit’s temperature ranges from 50 to 66 degrees Fahrenheit, making it more suitable for red wines than white or sparkling wines.
This wine cooler is slightly larger than the EdgeStar. It’s still compact enough to fit under your kitchen counter. The chrome wine racks are slimmer and take up less room within the unit than the wooden shelves.
Pros:
Digital controls: this wine cooler has an electronic touchpad that allows you to set the temperature you want.
Celsius/Fahrenheit display: You can choose your preferred metric unit, particularly if you select international wines.
Quiet operation: The thermoelectric cooling system is tranquil and has a low vibration level.
1-year warranty: If there are manufacturing errors, the manufacturer provides a one-year warranty on the parts.
Cons:
This appliance, like many other small under-counter wine coolers, cannot accommodate large wine bottles, such as chardonnay or champagne bottles.
Kalamera 12″ Wine Refrigerator 18 Bottle
The Kalamera 12-inch wine cooler is a device that will fit perfectly under your counter. It is small, has a sleek design, and is exceptionally reliable.
This wine cooler can hold up to 18 standard-size Bordeaux bottles and comes with six wooden racks and soft blue lamp. Remove and rearrange the shelves according to your needs if you want to store larger bottles.
The double-layered tempered glass door will protect your bottles from UV light while also preventing fogging.
The advanced technology used in its construction ensures that it is extremely quiet and vibrations are kept to a minimum.
Pros:
Safety lock: You may easily lock the door to keep your wine secure from children or any unwanted entry.
A broad range of temperature: The temperature ranges from 40 to 66 degrees Fahrenheit, making this wine cooler suitable for red and white wines.
Dual temperature display: depending on your choice, you can set the Celsius or Fahrenheit degrees’ temperature.
Stylish design: the stainless steel door trim complements the black cabinet, making the unit very modern.
Cons:
Some users expressed dissatisfaction with the customer service.
Koldfront Built-In Single Zone Wine Cooler
If you have an enormous wine collection but don’t have space for a large wine cooler, Koldfront’s tiny under-counter wine cooler may be the answer.
With six full-size chrome shelves and a smaller shelf on the bottom, this single-zone compressor wine cooler can hold up to 30 standard-size wine bottles.
All of the shelves slide out quickly for easy access to your wine. Since the cooling temperature ranges from 40 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, this cooler can be used for any reason and with any wine.
Pros:
Digital controls: Thanks to the digital controls and temperature display, setting the temperature and monitoring the unit’s operation is easy.
Blue light: This device is fitted with a soft blue LED light to enhance the elegance of your wine collection and to make it easier to spot the desired wine.
Reversible door: Thanks to the reversible door, you will be able to incorporate this device into any home décor.
Compact dimensions: Even though it has a huge capacity, this unit is highly consolidated, measuring just 15 inches wide and 32 inches tall.
Cons:
As compared to other wine coolers, this one is a little noisy.
Whynter BWR-281DZ Dual Zone Built-In Wine Refrigerator
The Whynter BWR-281DZ, a dual-zone wine cooler that can hold up to 28 bottles, is the final small under-counter wine cooler we recommend.
This wine cooler is ideal for fitting under your counter, with a width of just 15 inches, a stunning design and attractive wooden racks that make it a perfect match for both modern and classical interiors.
The wine cooler is divided into two temp zones, making it ideal for storing both red and white wines. The upper zone can cool the wines to 41 to 50°F, while the lower zone can cool them to 50 to 72°F.
This wine cooler has five adjustable slide-out shelves that can be used to store a variety of bottles. This wine cooler has 18 bottle capacity in the lower compartment and ten bottle capacity in the upper chamber for standard-size bottles.
Pros:
Digital control: Thanks to the convenient digital control, setting the two zones’ temperatures is easy.
Dark tempered glass door: The door is made of double dark tempered glass for better UV protection.
Sleek design: This device has a sleek and stylish design that will go with every home décor.
Convenient features: The device has a malfunction alert system in case something goes wrong. Besides, the device has a temperature memory function.
Cons:
Some users expressed dissatisfaction with the wooden shelves, claiming that they were of poor quality. This wine cooler also appears to have a smaller overall capacity than advertised.
Final Thoughts and Selection
There are some high-quality options on the market for choosing the best small under-counter wine cooler. You can choose between a single zone and a dual-zone wine cooler, depending on the size of your wine collection and your preferences.
The EdgeStar 18 Bottle Built-In Wine Cooler, on the other hand, is our favorite compact under-counter wine cooler. Even though it is less compact than dual-zone units, this wine cooler is the right size for an under-counter unit, with a 12-inch width that allows it to fit even in tighter spaces.
This wine cooler can either protect your stock or chill your wines before serving.