Cold Cases
Can’t swing a full-fledged cellar? Give these high-tech fridges a try.
There comes a point in every adult’s life when Two-Buck Chuck no longer passes muster, and $1.99 bottles of Boone’s give way to crisp chenin blancs and earthy pinot noirs. And as tastes mature, so must storage systems. Most young collectors don’t have the space (or the budget) to build an extensive wine cellar, but there are other ways to keep booze cool. Namely, wine refrigerators. Here, our picks for preserving your bottles without digging out and souping up the basement.
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The Model: Sub-Zero 430
The Collector: Obsessive oenophiles with state-of-the-art kitchens.
The Specs: The 7-foot-tall stainless steel mammoth stores up to 147 bottles in two climate zones—temperatures can range from 38 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit—and comes with a sleek transparent glass door.
The High Notes: An illuminated display shelf highlights boast-worthy bottles, but parched preteens, beware: The fridge door locks and can link to a home’s security system.
The cost: $5,739–$6,829.
Get It: Poirier Sales and Service, 244 Needham St., Newton, 617-558-5500, poiriersales.com.
The Model: Howard Miller rosé console
The Collector: Midlevel winos with a penchant for Pottery Barn.
The Specs: With two separate storage areas, the distressed-wood cabinet holds 18 bottles in racks, plus 16 more in its optional fridge.
The High Notes: A sturdy stemware rack and a double-hinged door that swings open 270 degrees and allows for easy selection.
The cost: $1,098.
Get It: Jordan’s Furniture, 50 Walkers Brook Dr., Reading, 781-944-9090, jordans.com.
The Model: GE Monogram undercounter wine reserve with liquid-crystal window
The Collector: Modest millionaires with budding palates.
The Specs: It fits neatly under most kitchen counters—but still packs in seven heart-of-cherry wood shelves and 57 bottles of wine.
The High Notes: An LED temperature gauge speeds up heating or cooling, and shelves slide easily. The real draw, though, is the liquid-crystal door, which can morph from clear to opaque.
The cost: $1,800.
Get It: Yale Appliance + Lighting, 296 Freeport St., Boston, 617-825-9253, yaleappliance.com.
The Model: Haier thermal-electric wine cellar
The Collector: Aging frat boys looking to “date up”
The Specs: The size of a microwave, it holds eight bottles in a temperature-controlled environment.
The High Notes: The low price. Also, the Haier system is coolant-free, making it an eco-friendly storage space for temperamental organic wines.
The Cost: $99.99.
Get It: Jarvis Appliance, 958 Worcester St. (Rte. 9), Wellesley, 781-235-5112, jarvisapplianceinc.com.