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- keri - 11-20-2004

Hi, I am new to this message board (and wine collecting) but I feel like I've learned so much already! However, I am still confused about wine storage. I am debating between a wine refrigerator and a regular wine rack. Can I store both red and white wines in the same refrigerator even though they should be served at different temperatures? I have no idea how these refrigerators work and I don't want to make the wrong decision. I appreciate any help!


- hotwine - 11-20-2004

Hi, Keri, welcome to the board.<P>Your question is one we've all had to ask early in our wine affliction. First, wine storage temperature is different from wine serving temperatures; all wines are best stored at 555-57F and 60-70% relative humidity. But serving temperatures aren't the same for red and white wines, the temps actually are different for different varietals. So if you buy a "wine fridge" (as many of us call such a unit), it will be designed to keep wines in that constant "ideal" range for storage. Some fancy units have different zones for reds and whites, but that's not at all necessary, or even desired, in my opinion. So suggest you find a unit you can afford, that matches the decor of the location in which you want to place it in your home, and of a reliable brand name.... and double the size that you think you'll need, because you'll quickly fill it up.<P>If you browse this storage thread back over 3-4 years, you'll find lots of comments on the various brand names, price ranges, retailers that stock them, etc. Have fun!


- keri - 11-21-2004

Thank you for your answer-that clears so many things up!!


- hotwine - 11-21-2004

Keri, there's something else I should have mentioned: Many wine fridges can only handle a temperature variation (between the environment temp - where it's placed - and the target temp of the unit, for example 57F) of 20 degrees. So if you place your unit in the garage, and live in South Texas, the unit will die an early death; the compressor will simply burn up from over-use. But if you keep the unit in your house, where the max temp is probably no more than high 70's, it should work fine.<P>But also, you need to know that all such units exhaust heat. It's usually not enough to present a problem, but something to consider in your choice of locations for placing the unit in your home.<p>[This message has been edited by hotwine (edited 11-22-2004).]