• Hi, I am the owner and main administrator of Styleforum. If you find the forum useful and fun, please help support it by buying through the posted links on the forum. Our main, very popular sales thread, where the latest and best sales are listed, are posted HERE

    Purchases made through some of our links earns a commission for the forum and allows us to do the work of maintaining and improving it. Finally, thanks for being a part of this community. We realize that there are many choices today on the internet, and we have all of you to thank for making Styleforum the foremost destination for discussions of menswear.
  • This site contains affiliate links for which Styleforum may be compensated.
  • We would like to welcome House of Huntington as an official Affiliate Vendor. Shop past season Drake's, Nigel Cabourn, Private White V.C. and other menswear luxury brands at exceptional prices below retail. Please visit the Houise of Huntington thread and welcome them to the forum.

  • STYLE. COMMUNITY. GREAT CLOTHING.

    Bored of counting likes on social networks? At Styleforum, you’ll find rousing discussions that go beyond strings of emojis.

    Click Here to join Styleforum's thousands of style enthusiasts today!

    Styleforum is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

Which wine refrigerator?

Kaizen

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2007
Messages
457
Reaction score
40
I'm starting to get a few bottles of nice wines and figure that I should pick up a wine refrigerator to store them. Does anyone have recommendations for one that will hold about 50 bottles of various types of wines. I tend to keep a little bit of everything around (red, white, port, champagne, etc.). I don't need an under-counter model, since I'll probably keep it in the dining room. I'd also like for it to be fairly quiet.

Thanks
 

SUPER K

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2004
Messages
489
Reaction score
9
I've had the Marvel 50 bottle for 10+ years. Never a problem. At the time, they were one of the few manufacturers, but now I see nice looking models at Sams, Lowe's, Home Depot
 

Henry Boogers

Distinguished Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2003
Messages
1,424
Reaction score
26
I bought the Magic Chef at Home Depot, which is probably the lowest price 52-bottle unit out there.

Pros

- Price (I think I paid $155)..bought the under-counter model which is finished just like any other 'display' model and saved ~$100
- Size and look...this has a glass door and light (which you can turn off) and looks as nice as the higher end models
- Temp. stability - I track this with a digital meter and it has done well. Just put your whites & Sauternes on the bottom and reds on top.
- Noise - does alright, not a concern for me

Cons

- HUMIDITY!!! - I am ordering the 65% humidity beads to try to keep the humidity up in there. No luck with a bowl of water...I think there is a drain I need to plug in there. The ambient RH will be <30% without controlling it which will dry corks out..
- vibration - if you believe this will affect wine then avoid. I'm not concerned.
- Humidity...again - Unlike a higher end model, you will need to babysit the water level with your beads, or alternate method (or throw out corked wine).

All up all in I would recommend the cooler.....once I figure out how to stabilize the humidity.
 

Kaizen

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2007
Messages
457
Reaction score
40
Thanks. I'll check those out. Here in Houston, the only humidity problem I should have is keeping it under 100%.
smile.gif
 

earthdragon

Distinguished Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2006
Messages
3,486
Reaction score
500
I have been researching the 'Vinotemp 52 Bottle.
My local Costco has them at $580, (though cannot fine them on the website).

Looks fairly decent, wooden shelving/trays.
 

SUPER K

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2004
Messages
489
Reaction score
9
I was at a wine bar last night, discussing this with the owner. He suggested you check for a system using just freon coils inside the unit(like the older 1950's refrigerators), rather than fans and coils inside. Fans outside are ok. This older method, used on better wine units, is better at retaining internal humidity.
 

Manton

RINO
Joined
Apr 20, 2002
Messages
41,314
Reaction score
2,879
I got a GE Monogram which I believe holds 60 bottles. I like it very much. I keep it at 55 (it only has one temp zone, not two), and put whites on the bottom drawers where it's a little cooler. Been a year and a half or so and it works wonderfully.
 

Piobaire

Not left of center?
Joined
Dec 5, 2006
Messages
81,723
Reaction score
63,071
IMO there are many good wine coolers in that bottle range on the market at this time. The thing to remember however is that these are not optimal for long term cellaring of wine, as something that sits in your kitchen (or dining room where you plan to put it) is going to get too much light and vibration for really long term cellaring of good wine. These are more for viewing as a "holding pen" prior to drinking vs. the place to put 25 years on a big Bordeaux.

I have a Vinotemp for the last few years and have been happy with it.
 

kabert

Distinguished Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2004
Messages
2,078
Reaction score
7
I've got Eurocave wine fridges in my house. They're well-regarded (reliable/well-made) and have never let me down. They make a variety of styles, including some that have "furniture"-like finishes, so they'd blend in a bit better in your living room. If you want to look at Eurocave or other brands, you might want to check out www.wineenthusiast.com, which will sell them to you.

To some extent, you get what you pay for. You can spend under $100 to over $1,000 for this type of wine fridge. Spend more if you think you'll want to have this same fridge working reliably 7+ years from now.
 

Latimer

New Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2012
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
My wife and I have had a Vinotemp 12 bottle wine refrigerator for the last six months. We love it. The temperature stays nice and cool and the unit is quiet. We found it at http://www.mywineconcierge.com
 

kuslamb

Senior Member
Joined
May 2, 2011
Messages
115
Reaction score
18
5 Years of this - http://www.vinotemp.com/View.aspx/2874/52-Bottle-Wine-Cooler-with-Front-Exhaust

Purchased @ Costco - Not a single problem to date. Consistent temperature, humidity appears fine (though not measured, no bottles have come out with bad corks), quiet, requires a monthly wipe down of the top, sides, and glass (more attributed to my 20 month old daughter than the unit itself), lock comes in handy, seems well built and is pretty damn heavy.
 

Piobaire

Not left of center?
Joined
Dec 5, 2006
Messages
81,723
Reaction score
63,071

My wife and I have had a Vinotemp 12 bottle wine refrigerator for the last six months. We love it. The temperature stays nice and cool and the unit is quiet. We found it at http://www.mywineconcierge.com


Almost a five year necro bump. I think we have this week's winner.
 

eg1

Distinguished Member
Joined
Jan 22, 2007
Messages
5,570
Reaction score
29
We have a GE that we got at the Home Depot years ago -- only use it for white and sparkling. Hell, I even keep a few bottles of beer in the bottom.
 

gregaz

Distinguished Member
Joined
Oct 8, 2008
Messages
1,723
Reaction score
2
Vinotemp has an eBay store (here), where they sell scratch and dent and refurbished stuff. I bought one of their scratch and dent units five years ago, and it was perfect, except for a scratch on a side, that can never been seen if it's installed. It was dirt cheap, under $200 if I remember ... Has worked perfectly ever since, and seems to do a good job. As I recall, the only bummer, is that they cannot tell you where the damage is, and don't offer any refunds ... this may have changed.
 

Patek

Distinguished Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2010
Messages
4,063
Reaction score
1,755
Good info. I have been looking for one.

Edit. On second look their prices aren't that good. The VT 58 is $658 while BJs sells them for $699 with free shipping.
 
Last edited:

Featured Sponsor

How important is full vs half canvas to you for heavier sport jackets?

  • Definitely full canvas only

    Votes: 55 35.5%
  • Half canvas is fine

    Votes: 60 38.7%
  • Really don't care

    Votes: 17 11.0%
  • Depends on fabric

    Votes: 27 17.4%
  • Depends on price

    Votes: 28 18.1%

Forum statistics

Threads
505,161
Messages
10,579,032
Members
223,882
Latest member
anykadaimeni
Top