| The basics of proper wine storage include: an | | | | Kitchen refrigerators have lower humidity levels. |
| ambient, constant temperature of around 55 | | | | Too low humidity levels can increase the chances |
| degrees Fahrenheit, proper humidity levels, no | | | | of cork shrinkage. Excess cork shrinkage could |
| direct natural or artificial light and no to minimal | | | | allow oxygen to enter the wine bottle, causing |
| vibrations. | | | | oxidation which in turn causes wine to develop an |
| A wine cooler is designed to provide all of these | | | | unfortunately familiar acidic, vinegar taste. |
| storage requirements. How does a regular | | | | Light: The kitchen refrigerator makes the grade |
| refrigerator stack up against the basic storage | | | | on this test maintaining a dark environment. |
| best practices? | | | | Vibration: Refrigerators are a an appliance that is |
| Temperature: First, kitchen refrigerators typically | | | | constantly used, opened and closed and can be |
| maintain temperatures much colder than the ideal | | | | vibration filled. There are differences of opinion |
| 55 degrees Fahrenheit wine storage temperature. | | | | regarding vibrations' impact on wine storage and |
| Most refrigerators run between 35 to 40 degrees | | | | aging. Most people believe that excessive and or |
| Fahrenheit. A kitchen refrigerator is too cold. Wine | | | | constant vibrations can disrupt the natural settling |
| is supposed to age slowly and gently over time. | | | | of sediment at the bottom of the wine bottle. |
| 55 degrees Fahrenheit is the perfect temperature | | | | Constant vibrations could disperse sediment hard |
| for wine aging. Plus 55 degrees Fahrenheit is the | | | | enough so that the vibrations produce fine |
| ideal middle ground for proper wine serving | | | | sediment particles that remain in the wine body |
| temperatures. If wine is stored at 35 degrees | | | | and do not settle at the bottle's bottom. Fine |
| Fahrenheit the aging will be disrupted and the | | | | sediment in wine can affect flavor and taste. |
| temperature will be too cold for drinking. A wine | | | | To recap, versus a wine cooler, a kitchen |
| fridge typically has an adjustable thermostat that | | | | refrigerator is too cold, has too low a humidity |
| can maintain a temperature range between 45 to | | | | level and is more prone to vibrations and constant |
| 64 degrees Fahrenheit. | | | | usage. A kitchen refrigerator does not provide the |
| Humidity: Humidity levels in a wine cooler or wine | | | | same ideal, constant temperature and humidity |
| refrigerator are ideally within a range of 50-70%. | | | | environment that a wine refrigerator provides. |