Storing wine at home is a wonderful hobby and an easy way to be ready to entertain friends and family. After all, wine can turn any reunion into a party. However, wine is meant to be enjoyed at the right temperature when its flavors are aromas truly shine.
Also, when stored appropriately, wine can have a long, convenient shelf life, so storing wine matters, especially where you store it. Whether you’re laying down a few bottles for a special occasion, want to have your favorite wine in hand or are a serious collector, you need a wine cooler.
What is the best size for a wine cooler? The answer is not straightforward — we all like distinct types of wine and have particular vinous needs. Concisely, your drinking habits, preference, home decor and available space will determine the right wine cooler size for your home or business. Thinking of our customers and fellow wine aficionados, we’ve put together a handy guide to help you find the perfect wine cooler. Let’s talk about wine storage solutions and find the one that best suits your needs.
Before we get started, we invite you to read along with the Ca’Lefort wine cooler catalog and see the options available to you. We might all have different wine storage needs, but there’s a wine cooler for everyone. What’s yours?
Different Sizes of Wine Coolers
Wine coolers don’t come in standard sizes. Still, high-quality producers and suppliers work with similar measures, making these units easy to compare, ensuring a size for every type of wine enthusiast.
When looking for wine coolers online, sellers describe most units by bottle capacity or by size in inches (in width). You’ll also encounter two main types of wine coolers: single-zone and dual-zone coolers. Most coolers can be stand-alone units and built-in solutions that fit perfectly under your counter or in a cabinet.
Below, we’ll describe the most common wine cooler sizes. Consider that the number of bottles in each size depends on the type of bottle with a typical 750ml Bordeaux bottle as a standard (Champagne and Burgundy bottles take more space).
Countertop Wine Coolers. Countertop coolers can store between 4 and 8 wine bottles. These modest appliances ensure you have wine at the right temperature for everyday enjoyment, but your collection will be limited to one or two of your favorite wines.
15-Inch Wine Coolers. A popular solution with capacities of between 28 and 33 Bordeaux bottles. Single-zone and dual-zone alternatives exist and guarantee you always have a nice wine variety available. These units are ideal if you have limited space.
24-Inch Wine Coolers. With capacities of between 46 and 54 bottles, 24-inch wine coolers are the most favored alternative for serious and amateur wine lovers. There are single-zone and dual-zone versions, and there’s plenty of space to store everyday wine and a few special bottles for later. These units fit nicely under your counter but also make astonishing stand-alone pieces.
30-inch Wine Coolers and above. Wine coolers with capacities of over 54 bottles are large, compressor-based solutions designed for businesses and serious wine collectors. Large wine cooling units are less popular than their 24-inch, and 15-inch versions since restocking a medium-sized cellar is more convenient than having several cases of wine in one large unit.
The Right Wine Cooler Sizes For You
To determine the right wine cooler size for you, you must first identify your wants and needs. Only you can tell if a storage solution fulfills your every wish, and to help you find out, we’ve compiled a few critical questions to ask yourself.
How often do I drink wine? If the answer is at least once a week, consider a wine cooler that allows having at least a few weeks’ worth of wine. That way, unexpected guests will not interfere with your wine habits.
What types of wine do I drink? If you only drink red wine, for example, a single-zone wine cooler is ideal for you. However, a dual-zone unit will work marvelously if you enjoy more than one wine style often.
For how long do I intend to store wine? Age-worthy wine and labels destined to be served on memorable occasions spend a few months or even years in your cellar. If you also store everyday wine, you’ll need a larger capacity.
Where are you planning to install your wine cooler? You can keep countertop units in the kitchen or dining room, but larger units, like a 50-bottle 24-inch wine cooler, need space, whether a custom cabinet or a designated corner in your living room.
What’s your home decor? Wine coolers are lovely pieces that dress any room nicely, but the style matters. If you’re unsure if your new wine cooler will match the decor, go for a timeless stainless-steel unity with wooden racks and a see-through door.
Are you storing more than wine? Many people use their wine coolers to store other beverages, such as sparkling water and craft beer. In this case, a multi-purpose wine and beverage cooler might be for you.
What is your budget? Of course, when purchasing a relatively large appliance such as a wine cooler, you must consider how much you are willing to pay for it. Preserving wine at home saves you time and money, so wine storage units are good investments.
After you’ve answered the questions above, you’ll know the type of wine cooler that suits your needs, and you’ll be able to purchase it confidently. There’s no such thing as the right size of wine cooler; we all have unique needs — just like wine, we’re all different.
Wine Cooler Tips
Keep Your Wine Safe
Wine storage units are more than beautiful centerpieces for any room. Sure, owning a wine cooler shows how much you care about that glorious fermented grape juice we all love, but wine coolers are more than that — they keep wine safe.
Wine might have a long shelf life, and some bottles will evolve for decades, but to meet its potential, you must store it properly and at the correct temperature. Wine storage solutions reduce the risk of opening a bottle that has gone bad while making the wine show its best.
Explore our wine cooler collection at Ca’Lefort and find the proper storage solution for you. Buying a wine cooler is the first step into enjoying wine at home at the next level. If there’s anything worth storing and keeping safe, that’s fine wine.
