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Frequently asked questions
about wine refrigerator

1

What is a wine refrigerator?

2

What is a wine climate control cabinet?

3

What is a wine temperature control cabinet?

4

What is the difference between wine refrigerator, wine climate control cabinet and wine temperature control cabinet?

5

What is a 2-zone wine refrigerator?

6

When is a wine refrigerator worthwhile?

7

For whom is a wine refrigerator worthwhile?

8

How to cool wine to drinking temperature?

1

What is a wine refrigerator?

And what distinguishes the wine refrigerator from the conventional refrigerator in my kitchen?

Wines are best stored in the cellar. This old wisdom is not wrong in the first place. However, very few cellar rooms in modern houses provide the right temperature and humidity parameters per se. Even in air-conditioned rooms, there can be considerable fluctuations over time, depending on the type of system. 

For all wine connoisseurs without a suitable air conditioning system, the classic brick cellar or even for enthusiasts who no longer want to hide their wine stocks, there are technical alternatives for storing the noble drops in a way that preserves their value. 

What exactly makes a wine refrigerator? 

A wine refrigerator is soberly understood to be a cabinet for the refrigerated storage of wine, sparkling wine or champagne. So far, so good. Even though the wine refrigerator is often used as a synonym for a wine climate cabinet, it is strictly speaking the generally applicable umbrella term and combines the two types of appliances wine temperature control cabinet and wine climate cabinet .

A wine refrigerator basically meets the most important criteria of wine storage: 


Temperature of the wine and its environment

A stable ambient temperature is essential for wine. The choice for most cabinets is a temperature range between +5° C and +20°C. 20 degrees for a refrigerator? You could say that the temperature is something like the accelerator pedal for the maturation of wines. The higher the storage temperature, the faster the wine matures. Temperatures above 16°C are more likely to be found in a wine temperature control cabinet than in a wine climate control cabinet.


Humidity during wine storage

A constant high, but not too high humidity ensures stability of the natural cork. In this way, it retains its size and optimally seals the wine bottle. As a rule, the interior of the cabinet must be appropriately humidified to achieve a humidity of between 50 and 75 percent. 


Aeration of the wine and its environment

Due to their open-pored structure, wine corks can absorb aromas and pass them on to the wine in the bottle. Therefore, wine should not come into contact with strong foreign odors during storage. Never store wine bottles in the same room as heating oil, onions, garlic or other strong-smelling materials. In the case of the wine refrigerator, for example, activated carbon filters prevent odors of any kind from entering the refrigerator from the outside. If foreign odors have already entered the wine refrigerator, e.g. when opening it, appropriate filter systems can neutralize them again. 


Ventilation during wine storage

Cold air sinks to the bottom and warm air rises to the top - this is of course also true in a wine refrigerator. To prevent an unwanted heat zone from developing in the upper part, while the lower wines would be stored too cold, high-quality devices have built-in fans that circulate the air and prevent the formation of temperature layers.

Light and wine storage

Wine should always be protected from exposure to UV light, even if the colored bottles can already filter a (relatively small) part of the light. The better you protect the wine from light exposure, the better it can age. UV light destroys the aromas and tannins contained in the wine very quickly within just a few weeks. That's why wine refrigerators usually have UV-impermeable glass on the doors. This allows you to take a look inside your wine refrigerator without letting harmful light in. 


Shaking the wine bottles

Over time, so-called lees precipitate even from clarified wines and are deposited at the bottom of unmoved bottles - this is often referred to as a deposit or tartar. Vibration of the unit prevents this process and thus has a negative effect on the taste. For this reason, high-quality wine refrigerators pay attention to an optimal decoupling of the cooling compressor and the cooling chamber. Moreover, a special mechanism closes the door gently to avoid vibrations. Nevertheless, you should make sure that no additional, strong vibrations affect the stored wine from the outside either. For example, never place it next to a washing machine.


Can't I store my wines in the regular refrigerator or beverage fridge?

If no wine refrigerator is available, the refrigerator is a good place to store wine, at least for short periods. The cold prevents the wine from ripening too quickly and the closed door keeps out harmful UV light. As a rule, the temperature inside a household refrigerator is subject to relatively high fluctuation, which makes it unsuitable for longer-term storage (more than a few months). In addition, the absolute humidity can be very low, so that the cork dries out.

In contrast to a normal refrigerator, the storage temperature and humidity of a wine climate control cabinet can be precisely regulated and controlled. The special cooling technology ensures particularly gentle cooling without special fluctuations. 

A wine refrigerator can be both a wine climate control cabinet and a wine temperature control cabinet. PremiumWineTech plans the VinoViaVai systems completely individually according to the needs of their customers. So the intelligent wine furniture can be a mix of wine rack, wine climate control cabinet and wine temperature control cabinet.. 

2

What is a wine climate control cabinet?

And is there any difference with wine aging cabinet or wine storage cabinet?

A wine climate cabinet is primarily made for longer-term storage and aging of wines. Wine lovers without a suitable wine cellar therefore resort to a wine climate control cabinet for storing their wine collection. This way, you can be sure that the wines will not lose quality or reach their maturation potential during storage. 

A wine climate control cabinet built for the pure aging and storage of wines usually has only one climate zone, which is set to the preferred aging temperature. Red and white wines are usually aged at the same temperature.

Wine ripening cabinet or wine storage cabinet are purely synonyms to wine climate cabinet and by definition do not differ. 

The advantages of a wine climate control cabinet at a glance:

Temperature as constant as possible 

Defined humidity 

Removal of odors through activated carbon filter

No unwanted movement or vibration

due to vibration-free compressor, mechanism for damped closing of the doors and soft-close for the wine storage shelves

UV protection glass

In principle, a wine aging cabinet does not need a glass door. However, an illuminated wine cabinet can be beautifully staged and the choice of the desired wine begins with the door closed, which results in fewer unnecessary door openings when searching for wine. Therefore, many wine lovers reach for a storage cabinet that offers insight into the interior.

Store wines in the wine climate control cabinet for the long term. 

Whether red or white wine, the ideal storage temperature for wine is between 10 and 14 °C at a humidity of about 65 to 80 percent.

High-quality wine cabinets usually have an automated regulation of humidity and activated carbon filters, which protect the wines from foreign odors in the long term.

The storage temperature has a significant influence on the development of the wines, which can also be consciously utilized and controlled. One could say that the temperature represents something like the accelerator pedal in the maturation of wines. The higher the storage temperature, the faster the wine matures. From a temperature of about 7°C and lower, hardly any ripening takes place. This temperature is suitable for slowing down the maturation of wines at their peak. Wine connoisseurs therefore also like to use a wine climate control cabinet with several zones or several wine climate control cabinets with different settings. 

Wine climate cabinets are designed to generate a stable temperature without significant fluctuations. This is fundamental for good storage of high quality wines. Permanent fluctuations of as little as 1 degree Celsius can have a negative effect on the development of the wines and thus reduce their quality. 

In addition, a wine storage cabinet with its climate provides a constant high quality of air by balancing the humidity, fresh air supply and activated carbon filters. 

Vibrations and movements can also have a negative effect on the quality of the stored wines. Therefore, wine climate cabinets are designed to avoid vibrations. A stable stand through adjustable feet is indispensable.

Every bottle counts. 

Maximum storage capacity is the big goal in long-term storage. Therefore, the capacity of a wine climate control cabinet is always specified in bottle storage spaces. As a rule, the specification is Bordeaux bottles. Depending on the bottle formats stored, this can reduce the capacity accordingly. High-class suppliers such as PremiumWineTech plan their wine climate cabinets individually and always specify bottle storage spaces exactly according to bottle shapes, as is the case with the VinoViaVai Cool, for example.

Our energy tip: A wine storage cabinet that is loaded with the maximum number of bottles requires less energy. 

High-quality wines in particular benefit from storage in a wine climate control cabinet. If expensive wines spoil due to incorrect storage conditions, this is tantamount to a considerable financial loss. In a wine aging cabinet, a wine can be stored for years under ideal conditions without hesitation. It is the technical alternative to a wine cellar. 

MORE ABOUT WINE STORAGE

3

What is a wine temperature control cabinet?

And what should I consider when purchasing?

If you don't want to store your wines for several years, but want them to be available at the perfect serving temperature, a wine temperature control cabinet is just the thing. If it has several temperature zones, red, white, rosé and sparkling wines can be placed in one appliance and always be taken out at the optimal and precise drinking temperature. 

The differences when buying a wine tempering cabinet

Not all wine temperature control cabinets are the same. Just as the prices here differ greatly, so do the functionalities. 

Unlike a normal refrigerator, the storage temperature in a wine temperature control cabinet can be precisely regulated and also controlled - in separate temperature zones depending on the model .A special cooling technology ensures gentle cooling in the wine climate control cabinet. 

A plus point for the wine tempering cabinet is a UV light-protected glass door. Especially cheaper models do not have such protection. When it comes to lighting, you should look for built-in LED lamps for the same reason. Their lower heat radiation is not only good for the stability of the temperature in the cabinet, but also for the overall energy consumption.

Wine temperature control cabinets are particularly popular in the catering trade, as many wines have to be kept at serving temperature directly here. After all, the guest does not want to wait until his red wine from the climate control cabinet has reached the right drinking temperature.

The optimal drinking temperature for the perfect wine enjoyment

Wine temperature control cabinets offer precise control of the temperature in the individual zones. But what is the right temperature? In principle, the ideal drinking temperature can range from 6 °C to 18 °C, depending on the variety. That is a wide range. 

The right temperature has a decisive influence on the perception of the complex aromas when enjoying wines. At higher temperatures, our taste receptors perceive sweeteners more strongly. The alcohol also moves closer into the flavor picture and we perceive the wine as fuller and heavier. Lower temperatures, on the other hand, lead to increased acid sensitivity and also the tasting out of bitter substances. Thus, we perceive the wine as fresher. 

Basically, one can say: the heavier the wine, the higher the temperature may be.

 

You drink red wine at room temperature, right? 

The old rule of thumb that red wine is drunk at room temperature no longer applies as a general rule. This is due to the fact that we now spend our time in warmer heated rooms than was previously the case. A room temperature of 20 °C or more is too warm for a red wine. Even heavy red wines should be served at a maximum of 18 °C. 

The optimal drinking temperature of wines

- Storage in wine temperature control cabinet -

Red wine

Red wine

Fruity, young red wines:
12 °C to 14 °C
Light red wines:
14 °C to 16 °C
Medium-bodied and also everyday red wines:
16 °C to 18 °C
Mature, heavy, powerful red wines:
18 °C

White wine

White wine

Semi-dry and sweet white wines:
6-10 °C
Young, light white wines:
8 °Cto 10 °C
Dry, fresh and acidic white wines:
9 °Cto 11 °C
Mature and spicy white wines:
11 °C to 13 °C
Sweet white wines:
12 °C to 14 °C

Rosé wines

Rosé wine

7 °C to 9 °C

Sparkling wine Prosecco Champagne

Sparkling wine

Sparkling wine, cava, prosecco, crémant and non-vintage champagne:
6 °C to 7 °C
Fine vintage champagne, particularly high-quality sparkling wines:
8 °C to 10 °C
Blanc de Noir and rosé sparkling wines:
8 °C to 10 °C




4

What is the difference between wine refrigerator, wine climate control cabinet and wine temperature control cabinet?

And is there also a wine cabinet that combines everything?

Wine refrigerator, wine temperature control cabinet, wine climate control cabinet, wine storage cabinet and wine aging cabinet - actually all the same thing, or are they? What unites them all: they are made to provide wines with an optimal climate. Nevertheless, there are significant differences. 

The term wine refrigerator as a generic term includes all cabinets for tempering wine, sparkling wine or champagne. It includes both types of wine temperature control cabinet and wine climate control cabinet (also called wine storage cabinet or wine aging cabinet).

The crucial question in choosing the right device:

Do I want to store my wines, or bring them to optimal drinking temperature?

Wine refrigerator

Cabinet for tempering wine, sparkling wine or champagne

Wine climate control cabinet

Simulates the perfect environment for storing wine.

also called: wine aging cabinet or wine storage cabinet

Wine tempering cabinet

Cabinet for tempering wine, sparkling wine or champagne

The wine climate control cabinet for the perfect storage environment for your wine

Wine climate cabinet is made for medium and long-term storage of wines. As a rule, one climate zone is sufficient here. However, if you want to keep wines at their peak of maturation during storage, you should rely on at least one additional climate zone in your wine climate cabinet. This gives you the possibility to individually influence the ripening of the differently stored wines. Wine ripening cabinet and wine storage cabinet are pure synonyms for wine climate cabinets and do not differ in their functions. 

For the storage of high-quality wines, the optimal climate is essential so that the wines continue to mature and do not lose quality in the long term. The perfect climate involves much more than a controllable, stable temperature. A wine climate control cabinet also maintains the required humidity in the appliance and, thanks to activated carbon filters, does not allow foreign odors into the interior. 

In addition, it is designed in such a way that it does not allow any major shocks or vibrations, neither from the cooling technology, nor from opening and closing the doors. 

In principle, you do not need a glass door for a wine storage cabinet. Unless, of course, you value aesthetics and want to showcase your wine collection in a beautifully illuminated setting. For this, many wine lovers resort to a storage cabinet with a view into the interior.

For wine lovers, restaurateurs or wine merchants alike: if you want to store wines for a longer period of time or even let them mature in the bottle, the purchase of a wine climate control cabinet is essential. 

The wine temperature control cabinet for the optimal serving temperature of your wine

Wines that are no longer to be stored for a long time, but should be available at drinking temperature, find a suitable home in the wine temperature control cabinet. In order to ensure different drinking temperatures, a wine temperature control cabinet usually has at least 2 climate zones - ideally even more. In this way, both red and white wines can be brought to drinking temperature. 

Wine tempering cabinets can differ significantly in price. However, they also differ in terms of functionality, such as the number of climate zones, temperature stability, the different storage positions in the temperature control cabinet, heat sources from the built-in light and other built-in technology, and UV-protected glass. 

Do I really need two separate units for storing and cooling wine to drinking temperature?

Definitely no, if you opt for a VinoViaVai® Cool. The smart wine furniture is so individually manufactured that you decide for yourself how many climate zones you need for which bottle volume. 

The question of whether you want to store your wine for a longer period of time or whether you always want to have it ready to hand at drinking temperature does not arise here.  

VinoViaVai chills wine. But that's the only thing it has in common with a simple wine refrigerator. VinoViaVai® Cool is a high-quality piece of furniture that perfectly tempers wine and can be seen in all types of rooms.

With the VinoViaVai, the wine refrigerator was not invented, but completely redesigned and rethought. 

5

What is a 2-zone wine refrigerator?

And are there wine refrigerators that have more than 2 zones?

Different types of wine each have different requirements for their drinking temperature. To meet these requirements, high-quality wine temperature control cabinets have 2 separate climate zones whose temperatures are controlled independently. In this way, red and white wines, for example, can be kept at serving temperature in a wine refrigerator at the same time.

2-zone wine refrigerator or more?

Particularly high-quality wine refrigerators can also have more than 2 climate zones. Because if you want to store not only red and white wine, but also rose and sparkling wines, or even more granularly distinguish between the optimal drinking temperature for young and mature wines, it is recommended to choose a wine temperature control cabinet with more than 2 zones . With the VinoViaVai Cool wine refrigerator, for example, you have the option of planning up to 7 temperature zones in one cabinet. The special design of the device thus allows exactly matched to the different wines enjoyment temperatures.

However, it should not be forgotten that the different temperatures set can cause the wines to age prematurely and lose their drinking pleasure. This is especially true for red wines if they are permanently kept in the wine temperature control cabinet at a set drinking temperature of +18° Celsius, for example. From a temperature of 7 ° Celsius and below, one suspends the maturation.

Can I store wines in my 2-zone wine refrigerator for a longer period of time?

In a 2- or multi-zone wine refrigerator, it is possible in principle to store wines in parallel and also to temper them ready for serving. If the wine refrigerator also meets other criteria of a wine climate cabinet (linking), a zone can be used in it for the permanent storage of wines, for example. In addition, you can also use different zones to control the maturation of individual wines by the storage temperature or also to stop them at the peak of their maturation.

With this functional combination, it is recommended to use a wine refrigerator with at least 4 climate zones. Larger wine refrigerators and systems such as the VinoViaVai Cool also often have a larger number of climate zones. This allows you to act completely freely and always adapt the use to your respective storage and consumption.

6

When is a wine refrigerator worthwhile?

And why might a purchase make sense for me?

Wine lovers accumulate a not inconsiderable variety and quantity of wines over time: A few bottles on recommendation, the selection of new, award-winning vintages and then there are the boxes from the last vacation.

But good wines only remain as such or continue to mature into first-class wines if they are also stored under appropriate conditions: Stable storage temperature, constant humidity, protection from UV radiation and from shock are essential. But a wine refrigerator also makes sense for the fast connoisseur or the gastronome: the noble drops are always available and ready to serve at the optimal drinking temperature.

Wine refrigerator: store or enjoy?

A wine refrigerator can be used for different purposes depending on its type: for long-term storage or cooling to enjoyment temperature. Accordingly, it makes a lot of sense even with different preferences:

The collector & stocker

Not everyone has the optimal wine cellar in their home for storing the number of bottles they collect. However, in order to generate the perfect storage environment, more and more wine collectors are turning to a wine climate control cabinet, even in their private homes. This way, you can be sure that your valuable wine collection will find a protected place to mature in peace or to be stored without damage over a longer period of time.

The fast epicure

This person buys wines for short and medium-term consumption and wants them available at drinking temperature. A wine temperature control cabinet with several zones is just right for this type of wine lover. This allows him to store the different varieties at the optimal drinking temperature for a short time.

 

 

Wine for all senses

However, wine refrigerators score not only functionally. If you don't want to banish your wine treasures to the cellar, but instead want to showcase them in your living room, you can opt for a wine refrigerator with integrated light. Usually in their appearance and your design very valuable - therefore a highlight in any room. With a view through the glass front on the illuminated wine bottles inside the wine refrigerator, each individual bottle is particularly accentuated. A wine refrigerator can thus also become a stylish piece of furniture.

If you like it individual and matching your own interior style, plan your wine furniture with PremiumWineTech from Ludwigsburg. With the VinoViaVai Cool, no wish remains unfulfilled to exclusively design his wine refrigerator like an individual piece of furniture.


How much space do I need for a wine refrigerator?

This depends on the respective number of bottle storage spaces, which defines the volume. In principle, there are wine refrigerators as under- or built-in, as well as free-standing. For example, a wine refrigerator can be integrated into the kitchen to save space, or it can offer the optimum storage space in a separate wine storage room. If you don't have a large wine collection, but still want to keep a certain amount of wine at drinking temperature, you can choose a smaller version.

7

For whom is a wine refrigerator worthwhile?

Isn't that something for wine experts?

For those who want to properly store a variety of different types of wine or have them available at drinking temperature, a wine refrigerator is the perfect home for their wines. And you don't have to be a wine expert.

The private wine lover

Generally speaking, a wine refrigerator is worthwhile if you have more than a few inexpensive wines from discount stores for direct consumption. Even as a private wine lover without greater ambitions, a small wine collection quickly comes together. To ensure that the wine treasures do not lose their quality after only a short period of storage, a wine refrigerator is recommended.  


The restaurateur

Wine refrigerators play an essential role in the catering industry. High-quality wines only develop their full flavor when they are consumed at the right temperature. That's why restaurateurs rely on high-quality wine temperature control cabinets like the VinoViaVai Cool with a higher number of climate zones. This allows different types of wines to be kept at optimal drinking temperatures in the same unit. Which guest wants to wait until the wine has reached the right temperature after ordering it?


The wine merchant

The route from the winegrower to the consumer is not always unproblematic. For wine merchants, air-conditioned storage rooms or even wine climate cabinets are particularly important for the noble bottles without high frequency. This ensures that exclusive drops and rarities do not lose their quality.

8

How to cool wine to drinking temperature?

And what influence does the heat have on the taste of the wine?

Storing wines properly is one thing. But when the moment comes to open the bottle, the temperature is crucial for enjoyment.

The correct cooling of the wines 

Young, fresh white wines can also tolerate being quickly chilled in the freezer. However, even a white wine should never go below 5°C so that the aromas are preserved. Heavy red wines already react at less than 8°C.

Therefore, for high-quality wines, a wine temperature control cabinet with at least 2, preferably more, temperature control zones is highly recommended. This allows you to keep the different wines available at the right temperature at all times without complications.  

Use a wine thermometer to check the temperature of your wines. If your wine is too cool to enjoy, let it stand briefly at room temperature - this usually regulates itself quite quickly.

What does the heat do to the wine?

Heat increases the intensity of sweetness and acidity in the taste of the wine. If it is a rather alcohol-rich wine, this also stands out clearly in the taste. As with a salty meal, this effect masks the variety of flavors. In general, however, the heavier a red wine, the more heat it can tolerate.

White wine is drunk chilled, red wine at room temperature, right?

That is not correct as a general rule. The rule of thumb to drink red wine at room temperature dates back to times when living rooms had a room temperature of about 18 degrees. Today, the same rooms are much more heated - in winter, it's often 20-23 degrees Celsius. In summer, it is - depending on the building situation - at times significantly higher.

This also results in the need for refrigeration of red wine for optimal consumption.

In general, it is better to pour the wine a little cooler than too warm. Particularly in summer, the wine likes to warm up by 1-2 degrees when it is poured.

How do I keep the bottle cool at the table?

To keep white wine, rose or sparkling wines cool, use coolers filled with ice. When using a clay wine cooler, make sure that it does not develop its full effect until it has had a 20-30 minute water bath beforehand. Only then will the evaporative cooling provide the right effect.  

VinoViaVai Cool is not a refrigerator.

... but an individually planned wine furniture that can also cool. 

MORE ABOUT VINOVIAVAI COOL

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