A wine collection can be just as valuable for its geographical variety as for its taste. But discovering and collecting fine wines is just as dependent on a well-cooled cellar as on exploration. Reaping the full rewards of a wine collection, in the short and long term, requires attention to the safe storage of the wine. For this reason, it’s important to understand the variety of wine storage solutions on the market, as well as what wine cellar cooling units will be the best for you.

The Benefits of Cellar Cooling

The need to regulate temperature, light, and movement has long made the basement a popular place to set up a wine cellar. A basement setting will go some way to restricting wine’s exposure to UV light and high temperatures. As well as this, keeping wine raised above ground and away from heat sources will prevent spoiling. Vibrations caused by the activities of boilers and heaters can also adversely affect wine quality over the long term.

At the heart wine storage is minimising the fluctuations in temperature. Whilst an underground cellar will help keep temperatures lower, the ideal ambient temperature for wine is around 12°C or 14°C. When designing a cellar, you can take many design steps to reduce temperatures and keep lighting down. Low wattage bulbs will help keep light levels low, which will also mean less heat is generated by lighting. As well as this, swapping out carpeted flooring for stone can also keep the space cool.

All these measures will go some way to achieving lower temperatures in your wine cellar. But to keep temperatures low and stable year-round, you will require the use of cellar coolers. Getting the right cellar cooling system for your cellar depends on a variety of factors, but it doesn’t have to be complicated.

Picking the Right Wine Cellar Cooling Unit

Generally, there are three kinds of wine cellar cooling units to look out for. Firstly, a simple through-the-wall, non-ducted system can work for smaller cellars. You can mount these self-contained units straight onto a wall; and they will vent heat out of the cellar into another room. These cooling systems are a good choice for smaller wine cellars.

Secondly, you could consider a self-contained ducted cooling system. These can keep even the largest cellars cool year-round. An evaporator and condenser located outside will vent cool air into the cellar. These systems do not need to vent hot air into another room. They are also extremely quiet, but do require extensive in-wall installation.

Thirdly, you might bear in mind a split cooling system, which can be ducted or ductless. In these systems you can keep the evaporator indoors. Meanwhile, the condenser is a free-standing, outdoor unit.

Cellar Cooling from Welch Refrigeration

Keeping your vino in tip-top condition requires the right wine cooling unit. After all, without the ideal cellar cooling system, your wine collection could be affected. At Welch Refrigeration, we have the expertise to help you pick the most suitable wine cellar cooling unit for your needs. For advice and information, get in touch with our friendly team today.