Whether you’re a wine consumer, wine connoisseur or somewhere in between, serving wines at the correct temperature and storing them properly are two of the biggest factors in an outstanding experience.
This is where cooling comes into play. There’s a vast array of wine coolers and wine fridges that might seem like different terms for the same thing, but it’s far from a tomato-tomahto situation. (And to throw another term into the mix, we can’t forget about wine cellars—more on that later.)
We spoke with industry experts to decode this terminology.
Wine Fridges vs. Wine Coolers
When looking at wine coolers and wine fridges, the terms themselves are often used interchangeably by shoppers, but in industry parlance they are different products with different features and specific uses.
“In its truest sense, a wine cooler is best for chilling wine and a wine fridge or wine cellar is best to preserve and store wine,” says Mahrukh Syed, senior product manager of Danby Appliances.
Marshall Tilden, Wine Enthusiast’s chief revenue and education officer, agrees. “Wine coolers are more of those kinds of smaller, compact, simple units that are kind of just taking temperature into control,” he says.
Something to keep in mind to distinguish the categories is that wine coolers as a whole tend to be smaller, more affordable and have fewer bells and whistles. Meanwhile, wine fridges are larger and offer more nuanced features.
Callum Dooley, director and UK sales manager of Elite Wine Refrigeration points out that “wine fridges usually have more sophisticated technology to ensure stable conditions ideal for aging wine, while wine coolers prioritize convenience and immediate consumption.”
And not to complicate things further, but Wine Enthusiast uses wine cooler and wine cellars interchangeably in its store. What’s more important than a name is to look at the features each unit has.
Long-term Storage vs. Chilling
When shopping for a wine cooler, fridge or cellar take into account your wine storage and serving needs and the area of your home where you’d like to place the appliance. Then find the right product that meets the requirements.
Time is often the determining factor. Are you storing your wine for the long term or getting them ready for now?
Consider this: Many wine coolers offer one consistent temperature (in a range that you can often set manually) that’s ideal for chilling wine. However, they are not meant for long-term storage, aging or protecting wine bottles from environmental factors that could degrade quality.
“Wine coolers are designed to chill ready-to-drink wines to serving temperature, often offering a limited temperature range, typically between 45 and 65°F,” Dooley says. “They focus on short-term storage and quick access. Wine fridges, on the other hand, are built for both short-term and long-term storage.”
Tilden adds that many wine coolers can fluctuate in temperature a bit more than wine fridges or wine cellars—something to keep in mind if you live in an area with big climactic swings or plan to plug in your appliance in a place like a garage that’s not well insulated.
“A wine cooler, you set it at 55 and it might fluctuate between 52 and 58—there might be like an eight- to 10-degree temperature variation,” he says. “When you start getting wine refrigerators and wine cellars, that temperature gradient starts to get a lot smaller and a lot more consistent top to bottom because you start to talk not just keeping it cool, but keeping it the right temperature for longer term aging.”
The Features of Wine Fridges vs. Wine Coolers
Wine fridges will do everything a wine cooler can—and then some. But a wine cooler won’t perform like a wine fridge or cellar.
Many wine fridges offer state-of-the-art features such as humidity control, dual-zone temperatures, UV light protection, LED lighting, anti-vibration components and adjustable shelving. These features all impact the quality of wine over time.
Wine fridges often have more precise temperature control and dual or multi-zone cooling that’s ideal for storing different types of wine at the same time.
Humidity control, which also is featured in many wine fridges, is something to keep in mind.
Syed notes you’ll want 50% to 70% humidity to prevent corks from drying out (and thus, keeping the wines properly sealed) and to prevent damage to bottle seals and labels. Without proper storage, corks can turn dry and brittle and even shrink, causing the seal to deteriorate and oxygen to enter the bottle.
Choosing Between a Wine Fridge and Wine Cooler
Picking the best product for you is a matter of personal choice and aims.
Are you planning to age your wine or store special bottles for years to come? A wine fridge or cellar might be for you.
Do you cycle through bottles quickly and want to have something ready at a moment’s notice? A wine cooler might be your best bet.
Does your drinks repertoire include wine, beer and non-alcoholic refreshments? Then a combination wine and beverage center might offer the flexibility you need.
And sometimes it’s not a matter of one or the other. Kira Ballota, winemaker and partner at Olivia Brion Wines, owns both a cooler and a fridge.
“I like different wine fridges for red versus white, as the optimal serving temperature is different,” she says, noting that she uses a cooler for her whites. “I’m trying to optimize my bottle space, thus the two separate fridges.”
More Wine Storage Coverage
- Why do wine fridges cost more than a regular fridge?
- How to properly store wine and why it matters.
- Seven wine storage tips to keep you and your bottles happy.
- Five tips for storing open wine.
- At what temperature should wine be stored?
- A beginner’s guide to basement wine storage.
From the Shop
The Best Wine Coolers
A refrigerated wine cooler is the best way to ensure your wine is stored properly, and these attractive units allow you to show off your collection in style.
Published: September 12, 2024
