Wine cabinets are one of the most low maintenance options you can pick for storing your wine collection, however; there are a few tips you can follow to ensure that your cabinet works to its full potential and to boost its longevity.
Consider the Location of Your Wine Cabinet
Wine cabinets are an excellent option for those who do not have space for a full wine cellar, but want to confidently store their wine collection in ideal conditions. As with any wine storage though, the positioning of your cabinet will play a part in its efficiency. For one, it is best to keep wine away from high temperatures and vibrations, therefore, it is necessary to position your wine cabinet away from other appliances such as ovens, dishwashers, washing machines and dryers.
It is also good to avoid placing your wine cabinet in direct sunlight, or close to a window. While many wine cabinets will contain a UV filter if it features a glass fronted door, wine is very sensitive to light and heat, so reducing the level of sun your wine will be in contact with will further help to protect against any potential damage.
Finally, the ventilation of the wine cabinet should be taken into consideration. Wine cabinets will feature vents to help regulate the temperature inside, and these vents will need ‘breathing’ room. Therefore, if the vent on your wine cabinet is at the back or side of your cabinet, rather than at the front, then it would not be suitable for being built-in to cabinets or counters. If you do need to squeeze your cabinet into a tighter spot, then ensure that between two and four inches of room is left on each side of the wine cabinet to allow for proper ventilation.
Occasionally Clean Your Cabinet
A wine cabinet is not like a fridge, as there are only clean bottles of wine stored within, rather than a range of food, and therefore, will not require cleaning out anywhere near as often. If you want to ensure your wine cabinet is well maintained, then giving it a clean every six months or so is a great idea, as it will give you a chance to spot any potential issues, such as frost or moisture building up where it is not meant to be!
When cleaning your cabinet, it should be switched off, and all bottles should be removed and kept in a cool and dark location while the cabinet is being cleaned. The interior of the cabinet should simply be wiped with a clean and soft cloth. Cleaning products should be avoided, as you do not want your cabinet to be permeated with the smells of chemicals, as this may affect the wine, or damage the labels of the bottles. Once clean, switch the cabinet back on and wait for it to return to a consistent cool temperature before reinserting the shelves and bottles.
Change the Filter
Some wine cabinets will require a filtration system to further protect your wine from odours and other elements which may cause damage to your wine. If you have a wine cabinet that uses carbon filtration to help safely store your collection of bottles, the filter will need to be changed annually to ensure that it continues to do its job. Over time, the filter will become clogged up, and when this happens, it will not function as required.
Don’t Overload Your Wine Cabinet
It is very important not to overfill your wine cabinet, so sticking to the bottle capacity given by the manufacturer is essential. These capacities will be based on Bordeaux-style 750ml bottles, unless otherwise stated. If the capacity of your wine cabinet is exceeded, it will be less capable of maintaining a consistent temperature, and so hot spots within the cabinet may cause the wine to go bad. Therefore, it is crucial to keep your collection in a wine cabinet that is big enough for all your bottles, and with space to spare for any new additions to your collection!
To guarantee that your wine collection is kept safely in its ideal conditions, ensure that you are selecting and purchasing a wine cabinet from a trusted, expert seller such as Tanglewood Wines.