What is the BEST Wine Fridge for Champagne?
You wouldn’t believe the number of times I get asked this question on a weekly basis.
Not all wines are the same, and should not be treated the same as well! When they are stored and cared for, each type of wine will have different optimal requirements to maintain the best quality possible, for as long as possible. One type of wine that requires special attention, is Champagne. And to keep this bubbly drink in the best condition possible, we need to find out the best wine fridge for champagne available in the market today. But first, let’s understand what Champagne is and why it is different from regular wines.
So What is Champagne?
Champagne is a spectacular drink, often opened during celebrations, exciting events, upbeat parties, and the like. But champagne is not like any other wine. Aside from it only originating from the Champagne region in France, champagnes are fermented a second time once it is sealed with a cork. This process produces carbon dioxide, or CO2, which is what carbonates the wine. This is what produces the iconic bubbles when the wine is opened and poured, and what makes the cork shoot out like a rocket when the bottle is shaken in celebration.
How is Champagne Different?
Now, some clarifications. Champagnes and “regular” sparkling wines are a bit different, even though Champagne is a sparkling wine in itself. For a wine to be called a Champagne, it has to have been made in the Champagne region of France. This makes a huge difference as everything from the soil the grapes are grown from, to the specific environmental factors present, all play a part in making elite level Champagnes. Also, as mentioned earlier, the secondary fermenting process that produces the CO2. Cheap sparkling wines have carbon dioxide pumped into a giant tank, similar to how soft drinks are made, to produce the same effect, unlike legitimate Champagnes.
But the prestige of Champagnes isn’t the only reason why we need to have a wine fridge that can take care of champagne properly.
Why Do I NEED a Wine Fridge for Champagne?
Champagnes are considered white or clear wines. Even rose colored sparkling wines can be considered such. And white wine is different from red wine in that red wines include the skins, seeds, and stems of the grapes in the fermenting process. Not only do these add the signature red color, they also add lots of tannins in the wine, which is not only healthy, but also helps protect the wine from being oxidized in warm temperatures. This preserves the quality and taste of the wine.
White wines, on the other hand, due to the skins, seeds, and stems being excluded in the fermenting process, have less tannins present. Because of this, white wines are more susceptible to oxidation at warm temperatures. This is why white wines, and by extension Champagnes, need lower temperature storage. But you don’t want it too low to the point of freezing, as this will ruin the wines as well.
That is why it is important for Champagne collectors and enthusiasts to have the best wine fridge for Champagne in their home or place of business. A wine fridge that can specifically store Champagnes for long periods of time at the optimal temperature consistently.
So What Are the Top Wine Cellars for Champagne?
Before we do that, let’s establish some criterias that need to be met, according to the official Champagne website.
- The ideal temperature for storing Champagne is around 50 degrees Fahrenheit or 10 degrees Celsius.
- A good amount of humidity.
- No direct exposure to sunlight, noise, or violent vibrations.
- Racks and shelves that can actually accommodate Champagne bottles. Because some Champagne bottles have bigger sizes than regular wines.
Should these factors be met, Champagne will retain its perfect condition, virtually indefinitely. In fact, a shipwreck found below the Baltic Sea contained Champagne from 1907, and 82 years later, due to the temperatures, no direct sunlight, and the airtight seal of the corks, the wines were preserved perfectly.
We need a wine fridge that can replicate these conditions!
Ideally, dual zone or mixed beverage coolers are capable of bringing the temperature low enough for Champagnes, but some single zone coolers can also do this.
And here are our top picks for the job:
1.Kalamera 15” or 24” Coolers (temperature range: 40-66 degrees Fahrenheit) –
For the casual collector, the Kalamera single zone 15” cooler can do, but for more enthusiastic collectors, or for those who also have red wines, the 24” dual zone cooler can fit the bill. Both share the same blackened stainless steel frame and tempered glass door design that will insulate the wines properly at all times. The glass also helps keep UV radiation out, keeping the wines more safe.
The most important features for the Kalamera units however, are the low vibration and noise reduction technologies. This is good in both keeping the home or the space quiet, but also in the fact that Champagnes store better if they not vibrated. In addition, the Kalamera wine fridges feature strong racks that have enough room for most if not all Champagne bottles.
The 15” is a good under counter wine fridge, while the 24” is great as both under counter, or just a freestanding cooler.
2. Avanti EWC1201 (temperature range: 47-64 degrees Fahrenheit) –
For collectors who want their collection up and visible on the counter, the Avanti EWC1201 is a good option. It is a thermoelectric unit, that makes it virtually noiseless and vibration free, important factors for Champagne storage. It also features a modern and sleek design, with a curved glass door that not only keeps UV radiation at bay, but also provides extra space for bottles even if the unit itself is compact.
There are some limitations however, in that the unit is designed for 750ml bottles, and that the bottom 3 racks are fixed as one unit. This makes it difficult to configure for larger bottles.
Despite these however, due to the compact size and contemporary design, the Avanti EWC1201 is a good choice for countertop wine cooler.
3. Edgestar CWR362FD (temperature range: 40-65 degrees Fahrenheit) –
Seen by many as one of the quietest wine coolers available today, the Edgestar CWR362FD is also one of the most versatile. The different variants available, like the 18 bottle and 30 bottle units, share similar technology as the CWR362FD: front facing ventilators which prevents hot touch points or uneven cooling, stainless steel trimmed doors and frame, modern display, and tinted glass that stops UV light from entering are standard for those Edgestar units.
But what makes the CWR362FD different aside from its 36 bottle capacity, are having two separate compartments that feature different temperatures (the unit is a dual zone cooler) and removable shelves, which allow for big Champagne bottles to be stored. Blue LED lighting inside the cellar makes the collection visible, but not build up any heat.
Not only that, because the fridge is built tough, it can also be used and placed outdoors during events. The glass can stop UV rays from entering, and the strong cooling system can keep wines fresh in the great outdoors.
So What is Our Pick for the Best Wine Fridge for Champagne?
As with all things, it really depends on your specific needs and personality. Any of these three choices will do, and can do the job because of the temperature range and protective capabilities. It also depends on whether you want something compact, under the counter, or visible on the countertop or freestanding. Also, if you plan on collecting just a few, or a lot of bottles, and if you are collecting and storing just Champagnes, or both red and white wines.
But for sheer versatility, temperature management, ease of use, and bottle capacity, our pick is the Edgestar CWR362FD. This unit is able to adjust the interior for big Champagne bottles, it can store both red wines and Champagnes or white wines because of its dual zone feature, and the front ventilation allows it to built-in, freestanding, or under the counter, with no risk of hot spots. The UV protective doors that can protect wines even outdoors is also a big plus, because it allows people to enjoy Champagnes at their optimal state in outdoor parties and events.
So overall, our recommendation is the Edgestar CWR362FD.
- PLEASE NOTE: 36 bottle capacity is ONLY achieved...
- Two temperature zones each with a range from 40 to...
- Built-in or freestanding installation; Front...
- 10 full depth, steel wire rack slide-out shelves...
- External Dimensions: 23-7/16" W x 33-7/8" H x...
sources:
- https://www.champagne.fr/en/
- Kalamera.com
- edgestar.com
- amazon.com
Last update on 2020-09-25 at 19:01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
