Dual Zone vs. Single Zone Wine Cabinets – Choosing Between 1 or 2 Temperatures

If you’ve been researching climate-controlled wine cabinets you’ve likely come across some with a single temperature control and others with two temperature zones. So which one is right for you?

It basically comes down to the following questions:

1) Are you storing your wine long or short-term?
2) Do you want to have your wine ready at a serving temperature?
3) Do you collect both red and white wine or are you partial to one or the other?

Short-Term vs. Long-Term Storage

All wines (both red and white) should store long-term at the same temperature (a constant 14 – 16°C or 50 – 55°F ). This helps them mature at the right speed and keeps the corks from expanding and contracting, causing oxidization. Long term exposure to temperatures that are colder than this causes corks to harden and lose elasticity which results in broken seals, stale wine and sparkling wines without their sparkle. If you plan to store your wine for longer than 3 – 6 months, a single temperature zone wine cabinet is recommended.

Short-term, wine can be stored at a cooler temperature without a negative effect, therefore, a dual zone wine cabinet would be suitable.

The Convenience of Serving Temperature

A dual temperature zone wine cabinet offers convenience when it comes to white wines. Store them at a serving temperature (or very close to – not all white wines are recommended to be served at the same temperature, ie. Chardonnays at 12°C, Champagnes at 6  – 8°C).

Because of the convenience factor, dual temperature zone wine cabinets are popular with restaurants or in kitchens where wines are frequently selected at the last minute.

Reds and Whites in Your Collection?

I personally, do not discriminate when it comes to red vs. white wine, but some people have a preference. A dual temperature zone wine cabinet is really only useful if you collect both red and white wines. The white wines would store in the cooler zone and the reds in the warmer zone.

If you collect only reds or only whites, stick with a single temperature zone wine cabinet.

Dual Zone Wine Cabinets Available from Blue Grouse Wine Cellars

N’Finity Dual Zone Wine Cabinets 170 Bottle Full Height 50 Bottle Undercounter/Half Height
Sub-Zero Dual Zone Wine Cabinets 147 Bottle Full Height 132 Bottle Full Height 78 Bottle with Refrigerator Drawers Full Height 46 Bottle Undercounter/Half Height

Single Temperature Zone Wine Cabinets Available from Blue Grouse Wine Cellars

Transtherm Wine Cabinets View All
Cell-R Wine Cabinets 166 Bottle Full Height
Build-Your-Own (BYO) Wine Cabinets 160 Bottle Single Door 350 Bottle Double Door
Vinotheque Wine Cabinets (some available with dual zone temperature control) View All
Le Cache Wine Cabinets View All

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 13th, 2011 at 1:43 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.