Wine storage (refigeration units)

in article snipped-for-privacy@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com, snipped-for-privacy@comcast.net at snipped-for-privacy@comcast.net wrote on 6/1/05 3:09 PM:

Not sure about other makers, but VinoTemp will custom fit a rack configuration any way you want. Mine has 20 large bins and 80 'standard' ones. It really is playing havoc with my taste for Pinot, though I'm kindof off Chards these days, so it's working OK so far.

Vinotemp makes a range of units, from 'garage basic' to very decorative. They are in the moderate price range. My unit has worked perfectly for 5+ years.

Thanks for the tip, I will check them out.

I just bought a Vinotemp and am unhappy with it. It's louder than my dishwasher. Racking is horrible - any bottle even slightly larger that a classic Bordeaux size causes problems and forces me to leave open spots on shelves. Temp differential between the top and bottom is 10+ degrees. I guess I could have researched the racking issues better beforehand and paid the extra $$ but overall I'm not impressed with this unit. It's garage bound based on the noise with is a passir since I got the glass door etc. to keep it in the house where we enjoy the wine.

Cheers!

Steve

in article snipped-for-privacy@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com, snipped-for-privacy@hopheads.com at snipped-for-privacy@hopheads.com wrote on 6/2/05 9:58 AM:

Sorry to hear that. My unit sounds like one similar to yours (furniture finish + glass door). Mine has a metal and wood rack system, so if a bottle is too big it won't fit in the space at all. That's why I bought the unit with 24 (after checking again) larger openings (48 bottles). There are 77 standard size spaces (2 deep), for 154 more. Total is 202 + a few more half bottles in front of the cooling unit, and a couple more on either side.. Sounds like yours might be open shelves instead.

As to the temp issue..... I would call VinoTemp or the dealer your purchased from. I just double checked my unit and the temp is spot on at top and bottom. And, as I said, it's 5 years old.

Mark, depending on your future plans with your wine collection, it may be best in the long term to consider building a small room that can be air conditioned down to the right temp.