A comprehensive guide to choosing the right electric wine cellar, including useful tips on selecting the right model for your needs.
Keeping wine in optimal conditions is essential to preserving its qualities and enjoying it to the full. An electric wine cellar offers precise control of temperature, humidity and environment, making it an ideal choice for wine lovers. However, with so many models and features available on the market, it can be difficult to choose the wine cellar that best suits your needs. In this comprehensive guide, brought to you by Oeni, your personal sommelier on iOS and Android, we'll take you through the important aspects to consider when making your choice.
I. Identify the use of your wine cellar
Before starting your search, it's essential to identify the use you wish to make of your wine cellar. Depending on your needs, you'll have to choose between different types of electric wine cellars. Here are the main types of wine cellar and their characteristics:
1. Service cellar
The serving cellar is designed to bring wine to the right temperature before serving. They are suitable for regular consumption and can be used to store wine for several weeks. Serving cellars are generally equipped with adjustable temperature zones for white and red wines. Make sure you choose a serving cellar with a capacity suited to your needs.
2. Storage cellar
The conservation cellar enables wine to be stored in optimal conditions for 3 to 5 years. It offers precise temperature and humidity control, enabling the wine to age in the best possible conditions. If you plan to store wine for a longer period, we recommend you opt for an ageing cellar.
3. Aging cellar
The ageing cellar is ideal if you want to store wine for several years, or even decades. It offers similar conditions to an underground cellar, with a stable temperature and regulated hygrometry. Choose an ageing cellar with a capacity suited to your wine collection.
II. Plan the capacity of your wine cellar
Once you've decided on the type of wine cellar that best suits your needs, it's time to consider the capacity required. The capacity of the wine cellar will depend on the number of bottles you plan to store. Here are a few points to consider when choosing the ideal capacity:
- Determine the average number of bottles you wish to store.
- Consider the possibility of expanding your wine collection in the future.
- Make sure you choose a wine cellar with sufficient capacity to store your bottles comfortably.
III. Wine cellar power consumption
The power consumption of the wine cellar is an important factor to consider. Choose a wine cellar with a good energy rating to reduce your impact on the environment and save on your electricity bills. And make sure the wine cellar is adapted to the climatic conditions of your region.
IV. Essential criteria to be taken into account
When making your choice, it's important to pay attention to certain essential criteria to ensure the proper preservation of your wine. Here are a few points to consider:
- UV protection: Choose a wine cellar with a UV-protected door to protect your wine from the sun's harmful rays.
- Anti-vibration system: Vibrations can alter the quality of wine. Choose a wine cellar with an anti-vibration system to minimize disturbances.
- Charcoal filter: A charcoal filter is essential to eliminate unwanted odors and maintain a clean environment inside the wine cellar.
- Functional storage: Choose wine cellars with sliding or removable shelves for easy access to bottles and optimized storage space.
V. Built-in or freestanding wine cellars
You'll also need to choose between a built-in or freestanding wine cellar, depending on your preferences and the layout of your space. Here are a few points to consider:
- Built-in wine cellar: Ideal if you want to integrate the wine cellar into a fitted kitchen or special cabinet. Be sure to allow for the dimensions required for built-in installation.
- Free-standing wine cellar: Suitable if you want flexibility of location. It can be installed in any room, as long as it is away from heat sources and odorous areas.
VI. Recommended makes and models
To help you choose, here are some recommended brands and models of electric wine cellars:
- La Sommelière LS34A: Serving cellar with 34-bottle capacity.
- Climadiff polyvalent ACI-CLI321: 150-bottle capacity storage cellar.
- ArteVino Oxygen OXM1T182NVND: Aging cellar with a capacity of 182 bottles.
In conclusion, choosing the right electric wine cellar is essential to preserving your wines in the best possible conditions. Identify the purpose of your cellar, anticipate the capacity required and pay attention to essential criteria such as power consumption, UV protection, anti-vibration system and functional storage. Finally, choose between a built-in or freestanding cellar, depending on your preferences and the space available. With these tips, you'll be able to select the electric wine cellar that best suits your needs, and enjoy your wines to the full every time you taste them.
