If you are an avid wine drinker, or even a collector, a good wine fridge is a no-brainer purchase to protect your investment. These days many new builds will include a small-sized (20-45 bottles capacity) as a standard kitchen appliance, but it’s still not common. A growing number of climate-controlled storage facilities in Houston will offer insured, chilled lockers, but most of us don’t have vast collections that overflow our facilities at home. 

So you decide to go buy a wine fridge. There are several factors you should keep in mind: 

• The size of your collection and plans for growth

• Your budget

• Space restrictions in your home

• Capacity of the cooler

• Reviews and dependability of the appliance

I’ve had my N’Finity Pro by Wine Enthusiast large (6 ft tall, ~200 bottles capacity) wine cooler that I purchased second-hand from a lady in my neighborhood who was moving to Chile to live with her shaman. I spent $500 about 5 years ago (the fridge came with wine the seller did not want to deal with, as a bonus!); 

While I was very lucky to have found this gem, and I suggest you browse your local classifieds if you’re on a budget, buying new often comes with a warranty, which comes in handy when things go awry. 

Large box stores are always a good option: look around the holiday sales, like Black Friday, or ask about purchasing the display or refurbished one, which are often sold at a huge discount. 

If money is not a consideration, and your facilities allow, splurge on a well known, trusted WINE cooler brand, like EuroCave, Vinotemp, or the selections on Wine Enthusiast. Purchase the extended warranty and insurance, as repairs can get spendy.

Some fancy options, even in the smaller dimensions, allow dual temperatures within the unit, so you can keep your whites well chilled!

Happy shopping and don’t hesitate to ask questions!

Cheers!