For the casual wine drinker storing wine is not difficult. The go-to solution is to place it in the refrigerator for a few hours or days. But for the avid wine connoisseurs or serious collectors of fine wines, long-term storage in a refrigerator would cause serious damage to the collection. When you own a wine refrigerator you may or may not be aware of the fine details needed to store wine properly. Keeping these fine details and conditions in tip top shape will ensure your wine collection is maintained and tastes as expected.

The quality of wine is greatly affected by how it’s stored. Considered among the best, Sub-Zero wine refrigerators provide outstanding solutions to the four major problems of wine storage: light, vibration, temperature, and humidity.

1. Light Protection and Wine

Light exposure, whether natural or fluorescent, prematurely ages wine and negatively changes its color, taste, and aroma. To prevent this damage many wine bottles are tinted, and most wine refrigerators have a tinted glass door for UV light protection. One of the reasons why storing wine in a regular refrigerator doesn’t work is because of the constant exposure to light when the door opens.

2. Anti-Vibration Technology

When wines containing sediments age during storage, the sediments need to settle. Vibrations disturb these sediments, mixing them into the wine again and increasing the chemical reactions that speed up the aging process. This agitation over a long term affects the quality, aroma, flavor and texture of the wine. Vibrations are more of a concern for older collectible wines.

High-end wine refrigerators are more than just wine coolers. They are equipped with anti-vibration technology to reduce vibrations from the compressor. As well, gliding shelves with racks designed to store bottles on their sides keeps them from rolling. This type of design rack also prevents corks from drying out and losing their tight seals. 

3. Correct Humidity Level

The ideal humidity for storing wine is between 50 and 70 percent, with the ideal being around 60 percent. Humidity that’s too high causes the labels to peel, which makes wine identification difficult. Lower humidity dries out the cork, allowing too much oxygen to enter the wine. Oxidized wine is slightly brown in color, and has an unpleasant taste and aroma.

4. Correct Temperature

Storage temperatures for wines range between 45 and 65°F, with 55°F considered close to ideal. When storing red and white wine together, 55°F is best. For storing just red wine, the temperature should range between 60 and 65°F, and for storing only white, the temperature should be 45°F.

Wines become damaged if stored at temperatures above 70°F for a significant amount of time. If stored above 80°F, the wine “cooks”, and develops a sour taste. 

Sub-Zero Wine Refrigeration – Features

1. Light Protection

Sub-Zero uses a UV-resistant, dark-tinted glass in the door, as well as a dark-colored back wall in the unit to protect the wine bottles from exposure to light. When the door is open, Soft-on LED lights gradually illuminate the inside of the wine refrigerator, and can be adjusted to four stand-by accent lighting settings to help you find your bottle. These LED lights have been specially engineered to prevent damage to the wine.

The soft low-wattage lighting can also be controlled independently of the door’s opening if you wish to display your wine collection for special occasions.

2. Vibration Protection

The wine refrigerators are designed with a number of features to reduce vibrations:

• The compressor is mounted to rubber grommets to reduce vibration when turned on.
• Full-extension roller-glide shelves minimize agitation and allow easy access to half bottles, standard-size bottles, and magnums.
• Rust-proof wire shelving holds the bottles in a solid grip to prevent sliding around.
• The door hinge system provides a soft opening and closing.

3. Temperature Control

Two independent storage zones, upper and lower, allow for storage of both red and white wines, and are separated by a divider gasket. A microprocessor checks the temperature every second in each zone to ensure it stays within one degree of the set temperature. It also monitors the wine refrigerator’s operation, and will alert you if service is needed.

Each zone can be set from 38 to 65°F using touch controls that raise or lower the temperature in 1-degree increments. Magnetic door seals around the four door sides prevent cold air from leaking out and keep the internal temperatures constant.

The 30-inch designer with refrigerator drawers has an additional temperature zone for storing items at cooler temperatures than the wine. A separate microprocessor and control panel are situated in the top refrigerator drawer. The control panel LCD display shows the temperature for both drawers, which can be adjusted from 34 to 45°F.

4. Humidity Control

Sub-zero wine refrigerators use dual evaporators to maintain a steady, moderate humidity in each of the upper and lower storage zones. This humidity control prevents wine labels from peeling and rotting, and corks from becoming too dry or too wet.

Extra Sub-Zero Features for Wine Collectors

Display Shelf

Select wine refrigerator models feature an illuminated display shelf for showing off the prized wine bottles in your collection. It’s designed so the wine stays in proper contact with the cork, with the bottom of the bottle against the wood rail, and the top and cork facing toward the back of the cooler.

Inventory Tiles System

Metal inventory tiles are a feature with some models to help organize your wine collection. The tiles have wine varieties pre-printed on each side, and are dropped into slots directly behind the wood shelf fronts.They’re also available as replacements or add-ons in packs of 15 for pre-printed or customizable blank tiles.

Bulk Storage Drawer

A rustproof metal drawer, also available as an add-on or accessory, can store a variety of wines in non-traditional bottles, from champagnes and burgundies to magnums and taller flutes. It has a cherrywood front, and easily glides in and out without agitating the wine.

Dessert Wine Rack

The dessert wine rack is another accessory that holds slimmer, more delicate bottles, such as port wines.

As wine refrigerators are built with a specific intention in mind, keeping them well maintained and tuned-up will help ensure that it is functioning as precisely as possible. C&W Appliance Services will provide the care and exactness required to ensure your Sub-Zero wine refrigerator is in top shape. 

CONTACT US FOR YOUR SERVICE REQUEST FOR YOUR SUB-ZERO APPLIANCES.

Helpful Link: Manual for Sub Zero wine storage. 

C&W Appliance Service can help service your indoor and outdoor appliances when you need it! Helping service the Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin, San Marcos areas for 60 years. Call us at (855) 358-1496 or submit our online service request form for prompt service.