Wine Cabinet Buying Guide

Wine Cabinet Buying Guide
  • Wine cabinets are the ideal alternative to a wine rack; store your wine at the perfect temperature.
  • Store up to 250+ bottles in selected wine cabinets.
  • Perfect for alternative types of storage and different varieties of wine/champagne.

Wine cabinets are a great alternative to wine racks as a way to store your wine collection. Wine cabinets offer the perfect conditions for both short and long term storage of bottles of wine.

You need to store and serve wine at its best temperature, and wine cabinets make this possible; they help the cooling and ageing of wine. Not only are they functional, but they can also show off your wine bottle collection. Wine cabinets are the perfect addition to any wine room or kitchen. 

Why use a wine cabinet?

Which Wine Cabinet is right for me?

A temperature-controlled wine cabinet is the best solution for storing your wine bottles correctly. Storing wine in a kitchen fridge is not always the best option as fridges often fluctuate in temperature with the fridge door is frequently opened. Unlike fridges, wine cabinets can maintain a constant temperature which offers the perfect environment for your wine.

Wine cabinets also have controlled lighting, plenty of shelving space, heating and cooling functions that are vibration-free and sometimes use a thermal pump for optimal humidity. In addition, most wine cabinets have a fitted temperature warning alarm to let you know if the temperature fluctuates. Wine cabinets are available in various colours and designs, perfect for fitting in with your home décor.

Wine cabinets offer multiple shelving options to cater to your wine bottle collection. You can also choose from a range of wine cabinets, including single temperature wine cabinets, 2/3 temperature wine cabinets and multi-temperature wine cabinets. Your wine cabinet choice depends on your need for different temperature settings regarding the wine to be stored. 

What to consider when selecting a wine cabinet?

  1. Where do you want to store the wine cabinet within your home or restaurant? This will help you choose between a freestanding, built-in or integrated wine cooler.
  2. Do you need a cabinet for short or long term wine storage? If you favour red or white wine, you should opt for a single temperature cabinet. If you have an equal amount of both, or you wish to store bottles at different temperatures (short or long term for example), you should consider a 2/3 temperature zone cabinet.
  3. How many bottles do you have within your collection that you’re looking to store in the cabinet? This will give you an idea of the bottle capacity to look for.

What are the different types of wine cabinets?

Single temperature wine cabinet

Single Temperature Wine Cabinets

Single temperature wine cabinets are ideal for wine enthusiasts. The wine cabinet maintains one consistent temperature, and this is suitable for the long term storage of wine bottles. In addition, a single temperature wine cabinet is ideal for any home or restaurant/bar/hotel.

Single temperature wine cabinets are available in a range of designs and sizes; for instance, they can fit under your kitchen worktop or can stand alone in your dining room. Either way, single temperature wine cabinets look magnificent. The bottle holding capacity varies with each model. Nevertheless, you can feel assured that your wine will benefit from being stored in a single temperature wine cabinet. 

2/3 Temperature wine cabinet

2 / 3 Temperature Wine Cabinets

2/3 temperature wine cabinets are ideal for slightly larger wine bottle collections, as they can provide 2/3 different temperatures for your wines. In addition, 2/3 temperature wine cabinets offer the perfect conditions for red wines, white wines, roses and champagnes.

There are two or three different sections within these cabinets that offer different temperatures. You can set the sections to different temperatures depending on which types of wine bottles you are storing. The temperature also depends on how long you are storing the wine bottles.

2/3 temperature wine cabinets allow you to store a varied collection of wine bottles appropriately. As a result, these appliances are extremely popular with wine connoisseurs and enthusiasts. 

Multi-temperature wine cabinet

Multi Temperature Wine Cabinets

Multi-temperature wine cabinets offer multiple temperature zones for different wine chilling requirements.

These wine cabinets are ideal for extensive wine bottle collections and offer the perfect long-term storage conditions. The design and style of multi-temperature wine cabinets differ from brand to brand, but all multi-temperature wine fridges offer you plentiful storage. You can store your red wine in the upper section, white wine in the middle section and sparkling wines in the lower section.

Multi-temperature wine cabinets are innovative and functional, perfect for wine lovers. Multi-temperature wine cabinets are also ideal if you do not have a wine cellar.

Where is your wine cabinet going?

You'll need to know where you're putting your wine cabinet before you purchase it and how much room you have. Then, you can choose from a freestanding unit or a built-in/integrated unit.

Freestanding Wine Cabinet

Freestanding Wine Cabinets

Freestanding wine cabinets are the most widely available; you're free to put them anywhere within your home, whether in the kitchen or dining room. The one exception being a garage where the ambient temperature can fluctuate too much. Also, as there are no restrictions on where they sit, the unit's dimensions can be as tall or wide as possible, whereas you are restricted with this on a built-in cabinet. Finally, the bottle capacity can range from 50 bottles up to 250+.

Built-in/Integrated Wine Cabinet

Built-in & Integrated Wine Cabinets

Fully integrated and built-in wine cabinets have the advantage of being on show or neatly hidden away within the kitchen area. They tend to be slightly more expensive than freestanding cabinets, and because of the restrictions with dimensions, there is a limit on how many bottles they can potentially store. A maximum bottle capacity would be around 60 bottles, so if you're looking to grow your wine collection, you would be wise to opt for a freestanding unit or be prepared to purchase additional built-in/integrated cabinets.

Do you still need help choosing your wine cabinet? Wineware will be happy to discuss the needs and requirements of your wine cabinet in detail. Also, please feel free to browse the different types of wine cabinets we offer: single temperature, 2-3 temperature and multi-temperature wine cabinets.

Wine Refrigeration by brand

Further Information

  • Single Temperature Wine Cabinet / Cooler Buying Guide

  • 2/3 Temperature Wine Cabinet / Cooler Buying Guide

  • Indercounter Wine Cabinet / Cooler Buying Guide

  • Wineware's Wine Storage Temperature Guide

  • Wine Cabinet Buying Guide

  • How to Store Wine at Home Guide