With an ever increasing level of sophistication about wine, many people are becoming justifiably concerned about how to best store and age their wines. In countries like England, storage is no problem whatever, for most homes have either a basement or a closet that is cool, dark and quiet enough that they can easily double as wine cellar. In many parts of the world, however, where interior temperatures often reach thirty degrees Celsius, storing wines is considerably more difficult. It goes without saying that very few of us have either the physical space or the cash required to set aside a room that will be specially insulated and equipped to maintain the correct levels of temperature and humidity. The good news is that an increasing number of high quality refrigerated wine storage cabinets are becoming available. Although some of these are outrageously expensive, others are quite reasonably priced.

The concept of such cabinets, which many think of as miniature wine-cellars, is brilliant, but it is not new. The very first commercially manufactured cabinets appeared in England and the United States in the mid 1930s. The earliest models, all of which were custom made, were so expensive that they could be afforded only by the rich or the powerful. Multi-millionaire Cornelius Vanderbilt, for example, had five, one for his New York City town house, one for his winter home on Jeckyll Island, South Carolina, one for his summer home on Martha's Vineyard, and two for his yacht (one for the dining room and one for his private cabin). Winston Churchill limited his purchases to two such cabinets, only one of which held wine, however, for he used the other to store his cigars.

Fortunately, wine storage cabinets are no longer as dear as they once were. Far less expensive than building a wine cellar, easy to maintain, and often physically attractive, they offer excellent solutions to two broad categories of consumers: wine lovers who want to build a collection of wines but have neither the room, the available cash or the desire to convert a room into a formal wine cellar; and restaurateurs and hotelliers, for use either as storage or as display cabinets to encourage the sale of the wines listed on their wine menus. Regardless of whether purchased for at-home or commercial use, all well made wine cabinets should meet certain basic requirements. It is critical, for example, that all such cabinets be quiet, odor free and as close to vibration free as possible. They must be also well enough insulated that in case of a power failure that they will maintain their temperature for a prolonged period of time.

All of the cabinets available are divided by shelves, so that one can either store or display wine by categories (whites, reds, roses, sparkling wines). Some also feature shelving areas that are divided into different the different temperature ranges suited for various types of wines that require different serving temperatures. Ideally, such "temperature variable" cabinets will have compartments that range in temperature from 6 - 18 degrees. Those cabinets meant for general purpose or longer term storage (and these are the ones most professionals choose) will ideally have an all over steady temperature of between 8 and 15 degrees Celsius. As in the case of all wine cellars, my own ideal would be 12 degrees because in addition to being ideal for aging red wines and it also has the advantage of leaving the white wines in the cellar or cabinet at or nearly at their perfect serving temperature.

It is also important that such wine storage cabinets maintain the proper level of humidity. Although a humidity level of 50% is acceptable, the ideal is between 70 - 75%. (At more than that labels will become moldy and deteriorate, and at lower than 40% the corks will dry out). Keep in mind as well that such units should have a removable tray so that one can dispose of water that condenses during the refrigeration process. Finally, cabinets intended primarily for long term storage should be arranged so that the bottles can lie in a reclining position so that the corks are covered by the wine in the bottle.

Available in sizes that will hold from 50 - 600 bottles, and in finishes ranging from stainless steel to hi-tech plastic and high quality wood (teak and mahogany among others), there is an enormous price range of wine cabinets currently available. Among the very best of these are the Eurocave wine storage systems. Produced in France, but widely available in North America, the Middle East and Far East, the company offers a large range of sizes and finishes, including modular units that can be built in as a component of the kitchen. The units have excellent temperature and humidity control with easy to view and set thermostats and humidity monitors; compressors that are well balanced and fitted to avoid transmission of vibration; mechanisms for renewal of air in the cabinets and activated charcoal filters that purify incoming air and eliminate unwanted odors; easily adjustable and with easy to move shelving. More than 100 models are available. Among the best buys, depending on individual needs are Models V056 and V256 (56 and 167 bottles); and, the model V264 (250 bottles). Even though they are among the best wine refrigerators available, EuroCave products tend to be considerably more expensive than those of competing brands and comparative shopping is definitely in order.

© Daniel Rogov