Most Singaporeans say ‘wine chiller‘ or ‘wine fridge’ when they actually mean ‘wine cabinet’. The terms are not really interchangeable. A wine cabinet is used to store wine and a wine chiller or wine fridge chills wine to within the right temperature range just before it is served.
That said, these terms are almost always used interchangeably. Buy the wrong appliance, though, and this careless naming can be an expensive mistake. Think damaged wine and priceless lost hours of wine appreciation. In this article, we show you how to avoid that.
Almost all the essential features of a good wine chiller are usually missing from a basic wine cabinet and regular refrigerators. These are the 5 most important features of a good wine fridge.
- Temperature control system – Temperature is the most important factor in wine storage. The ideal temperature to store wine is between 11⁰C and 15⁰C. A wine cooler generates cold air, which is bad for the cork, the bottle and the wine.
- Humidity management system – Refrigerators are usually designed to reduce interior humidity—this will dry out bottle corks, exposing the wine and possibly causing leakage. Conversely, excessive humidity will swell the cork, causing it to pop out. Moisture may even enter the bottle through the engorged cork. A humidity management system maintains a range somewhere between the recommended 55% and 85%.
- Light control features – There is a reason why wine bottles are very dark green or virtually black: it limits the amount of UV rays that reach the wine. These rays age wine prematurely and alter both its character and appearance. UV-treated glass doors are essential to wine storage.
- Vibration control – While not as important as the preceding 3 factors, vibration control is also a consideration. Vibration agitates the sediment in a wine bottle, adding an unpleasant taste and texture to every sip.
- Cooling zones: Different wines are best stored at different temperatures. If you plan to store both red and white wines, look for a wine chiller with separate cooling zones. Some wine fridges have up to 3 zones.
You should also consider these 4 secondary factors before you decide on the best wine fridge or wine cellar for you.
- Capacity – You may have a few bottles today but will your collection grow in the future? Choose a wine cabinet that will accompany you on a long journey of wine discovery.
- Size: Large capacity is great but the wine fridge must be able to fit where you want it without getting in the way.
- Noise level: Consider the noise level of the wine cabinet, especially if you plan to place it in a living space.
- Style and design: Wine coolers come in various styles and designs, so choose one that suits your taste and decor.
Here are the 10 best wine chillers in Singapore
1. Cuisinart CWC-800CEN Reserve Wine Cellar
- Size (mm): 444 x 530 x 270
- Capacity (bottles): 8
- Cooling zones: 1
- Temperature range (⁰C): 4-20
- Humidity management: No
- Light control: Triple-pane viewing window, soft LED interior light
- Vibration control: No
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2. Europace EWC152
- Size (mm): 480 x 430 x 520
- Capacity (bottles): 15
- Cooling zones: 1
- Temperature range (⁰C): 4-18
- Humidity management: No
- Light control: 3-layer glass door with mirror finish, soft LED interior lights
- Vibration control: Yes
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3. Mayer Wine Chiller with Wood Racks MMWC28MAGWD
- Size (mm): 430 x 480 x 825
- Capacity (bottles): 28
- Cooling zones: 1
- Temperature range (⁰C): 4-18
- Humidity management: Yes
- Light control: 3-layer glass door, LED interior light (white)
- Vibration control: No
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4. EuropAce EWC 331
- Size (mm): 490 x 480 x 840
- Capacity (bottles): 33
- Cooling zones: 1
- Temperature range (⁰C): 4-18
- Humidity management: No
- Light control: 3-layer clear glass door, soft LED interior lights
- Vibration control: Yes
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5. Kadeka KA45
- Size (mm): 595 x 820 x 570
- Capacity (bottles): 45
- Cooling zones: 2
- Temperature range (⁰C): 5-18
- Humidity management: Yes
- Light control: 3-layer anti-UV tinted glass door
- Vibration control: No
Buy now from Amazon
Ice Dispenser Fridges: Here are the best models in Singapore [Oct 2024 update]
6. PowerPac Wine Chiller PPF36
- Size (mm): 470 x 480 x 840
- Capacity (bottles): 36
- Cooling zones: 1
- Temperature range (⁰C): 4-18
- Humidity management:
- Light control: 3-layer glass door
- Vibration control: Yes
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7. EuropAce EWC 201
- Size (mm): 430 x 480 x 650
- Capacity (bottles): 20
- Cooling zones: 1
- Temperature range (⁰C): 4-18
- Humidity management: No
- Light control: 3-layer glass door; soft LED Interior Lights
- Vibration control: Yes
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8. Tecno TWC52CDN
- Size (mm): 470 x 480 x 540
- Capacity (bottles): 16
- Cooling zones: 1
- Temperature range (⁰C): 5.5-19
- Humidity management: No
- Light control: Double tinted tempered glass door
- Vibration control: No
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9. Farfalla FWC-18TBK (Thermoelectric, red wine only)
- Size (mm): 252 x 948 x 515
- Capacity (bottles): 18
- Cooling zones: 2
- Temperature range (⁰C): 12-18
- Humidity management: No
- Light control:
- Vibration control: Yes
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10. Mayer Wine Chiller MMWC99MAG
- Size (mm): 595 x 1855 x 688
- Capacity (bottles): 99
- Cooling zones: 3
- Temperature range (⁰C): 5-18
- Humidity management: Yes
- Light control: UV Protect Glass Door with triple-glazed glass with UV ray protection
- Vibration control: Yes
Buy now from Amazon
1 open wine bottle and 4 weeks of fresh wine? Possible, with one simple gadget by Coravin
