If you are a wine lover, you must have an obsession with storing your wine at the right temperature. While a wine cooler is the best option to refrigerate wine at the right temperature, you might be wondering how cold a wine fridge/ cooler gets.
Because if you store wine at a very cold temperature, it will lose its richness and fine taste. For instance, white wine may become too sour, and red wine may get totally tasteless when stored at inappropriate temperatures.
Therefore, let’s find out how cold a wine cooler gets and how to set it at the right temperature.
Table of Contents
How Cold Does A Wine Cooler/ Fridge Get?
A wine cooler can get as cold as 46 degrees Fahrenheit. But you don’t necessarily have to store your wine at that temperature. Except for sparkling wines, the ideal temperature for storing most wines is 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
For long-term aging, you should store your wine below 55 degrees Fahrenheit; otherwise, your wine will lose color, taste, and texture.
Plus, the serving temperature of wine varies from type to type. For instance, the ideal serving temperature for white wine is 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, while for red wine, it is 60 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
You can adjust the temperature of your wine cooler accordingly just before serving. However, all wine coolers don’t have the same temperature setting. Some might have just one temperature setting, while others might have multiple settings.
Now that you have an idea of the lowest temperature of wine coolers let’s go ahead and find out the optimal conditions for wine storage.
What Are The Elements Of Storing Wine The Best Way?
If you are searching for wine cooler-related guides, you must be planning to get one soon, right? But before buying one, you must know the right elements for storing wine and set your wine cooler temperature accordingly.
Also, factors like heat, shaking, and direct sunlight will spoil your wine in no time. Considering all these, the following are the necessary conditions to keep in mind while using your wine cooler-
Temperature Stability
As I said above, the ideal temperature to store most wine types is between 53 and 57 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature varies depending on the type of wine. Read the storage directions in the package label and set the temperature accordingly.
Once you set the temperature, don’t keep changing it. Doing so will ruin the wine’s taste, and you will be left with some bitter-tasting liquor.
Keep Them Away From Direct Sunlight
A winery always stores wine in darker and cooler places. Exposure to direct sunlight changes wine’s taste even within hours. Therefore, you must ensure that you keep your wine cooler in a dark place.
Almost all wine coolers are made with UV protection glass, yet don’t forget to enquire about them while buying your wine cooler. Choose a corner where direct sunlight does not reach. Remember, the darker the wine storage area is, the better the wine’s going to taste.
Humidity
While humidity is essential to maintain the quality of your wine, too much or too little of it will again lead to adverse results. The ideal humidity level should be between 50% and 70%.
If the wine cooler gets too dry, it will also dry out the cork and let air seep into wine bottles. If this happens, it will cause oxidation and will again spoil your wine.
If you are using a wine cooler, you should not worry about the humidity because wine refrigerators are designed in a way to keep the environment inside humid.
Vibration
Another reason why wine coolers are the best option to store wine is that they have in-built vibration controllers. As you can see, storing wine is a delicate process, and different factors may damage it, and the vibration is one among them.
Vibrations stir up the sediments in wine leading to faster chemical reactions. This, in return, causes wine to age faster and spoil its taste.
Bottle Orientation
Most people don’t know this, but bottle orientation is another crucial factor in wine storage. You should always keep your wine bottles horizontally. Especially if you are storing them for a longer duration.
The corks get washed by wine in this position, preventing them from drying out. But if your wine bottles have rubber or plastic corks, you can store them vertically as well.
Different Temperature Requirements Of Some Of The Most Popular Wines
By now, you must have understood that storing wine at the right temperature is the best way to enjoy it. People unaware of it simply keep their wine bottles in the refrigerator or at any temperature in the wine cooler, only to get disappointed with some bad-tasting wine.
So to stop you from making the same mistake, I have listed down some popular wine types and their ideal storing temperature. Here is how it goes,
| Wine | Temperature |
| Red Burgundy | 62.6°F |
| Cabernet | 62.6°F |
| Madeira | 66.2°F |
| Vintage port | 66.2°F |
| Rioja | 60.8°F |
| Chianti | 59°F |
| Rose | 53.6°F |
| Zinfandel | 59°F |
| Beaujolais | 53.6°F |
| Viognier | 51.8°F |
| Sauternes | 51.8°F |
| Riesling | 46.4°F |
| Sparkling wines (e.g Champagne) | 44.6°F |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use A Wine Cooler As A Refrigerator?
It’s better not to use a wine cooler as a refrigerator. Wine coolers have a warmer temperature and a more humid environment than standard refrigerators. Therefore, these are not ideal for keeping your vegetables and other food items fresh.
Does A Wine Cooler Get As Cold As A Mini Fridge?
No, the wine cooler does not get as cold as a mini fridge. Wine coolers are designed in a way not to get too cold because wine needs to be stored at warmer temperatures than other liquors.
Can I Store Beer In My Wine Cooler?
You can store beer in your wine cooler, but it will not get as cold as you’d like it to be. Beer tastes best between 35 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit while wine chills best at 46 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Are Wine Coolers Energy Efficient Appliances?
No, wine coolers are not the most energy-efficient appliances. They need to maintain a stable temperature at all times, unlike other appliances. Therefore, they consume more electricity.
Do I Need To Put Ice In A Wine Cooler?
No, you don’t need to put ice in a wine cooler. It already chills your wine at the perfect temperature, so there is no need for extra ice.
Takeaway
Different wines have different cooling requirements, and you must set the temperature accordingly. But the best way to store wine is not simply limited to keeping it at the right temperature.
Other factors like- humidity, sunlight exposure, vibration, etc., play a crucial part in retaining the perfect wine taste.
I have covered everything related to these in this guide; giving it a thorough read will definitely help you keep your wine in pristine condition.
Let me know if you have anything else to ask regarding wine storage; I would be glad to help you.
