Savor Your Wine Just Right: A Guide to the Best Chillers
Quickly cool your wine in just a few minutes using these innovative chillers.
A good glass and perfect decanting time are just the beginning in enjoying a fine wine. Achieving the right temperature is crucial to savoring its full flavor. With these stylish wine chillers, you'll keep your favorite vino at its perfect temp for hours on end.
What to keep in mind before you buy
Design
The majority of wine chillers can hold a 750-milliliter standard bottle, enveloping the body but leaving the neck easily accessible. While slightly wider than the bottle itself, they still comfortably fit inside any refrigerator or wine cooler. In some high-end models, you'll find room for ice as well.
Chillers come in two-piece insulated designs or as single cylinders. The two-piece variety allows you to fill the bottom piece with the wine bottle and put the top over the neck. They often have refined handles or a rim for a more convenient carry. The single-piece design, on the other hand, is more common and offers a simple cylinder form.
Material
Stainless steel is the go-to material for most wine chillers, boasting incredible durability and exceptional temperature-retaining properties. However, if you're looking for something more upscale, consider marble or glass options, which have excellent insulating properties, although they tend to be more expensive.
Chilling method
Most wine chillers utilize ice to cool your wine. To do this, place a chilled bottle inside the chiller and surround it with ice to lower the temperature even further. For a quicker cool-down, choose smaller ice pieces like crushed or chipped ice, as they fit better inside the chiller.
No-ice chillers are also available, which provide convenience and less mess. Some function by being chilled themselves in the refrigerator or freezer before use, while others use a freezer insert that circles the bottle inside the chiller. Keep in mind that these chillers might take up to six hours to reach full cooling capacity. They are best suited for preserving already-chilled wines rather than cooling room-temperature bottles.
Bucket chillers are another alternative for cooling your wine, but they're not technically considered a chiller. They feature a wide body and rim to accommodate both ice and a bottle, and usually exhibit fancier designs.
Optimal temperature
Understanding the ideal temperature for various wines is key to ensuring your vino is perfectly chilled.
- Sparkling wine: A delightful 38-45°F suits these effervescent wines like Champagne and prosecco. For high-end sparkling wines, aim for the higher end of the scale.
- White wine: White wines generally taste best between 44-55°F, with acidic varieties better at the lower end.
- Light or fruity red wine: Try pinot noir and zinfandel between 53-63°F, which usually only require a 15-minute chill in a chiller.
- Full-bodied reds: Reds like cabernet sauvignon and merlot are best served between 60-68°F. Avoid leaving the bottle in the chiller while drinking, as it will become too cold.
What to consider for a high-quality wine chiller
Appearance
Stainless steel is the most popular material for wine chillers, albeit available in varied aesthetics – from sleek and modern to more ornate designs. If you're seeking a touch of elegance, marble or glass wine chillers may be the way to go, although they are generally costlier. Some chillers feature insulation, allowing you to glimpse the wine bottle through, while others boast engravings or embellishments for a more attractive look.
Stand
A chiller with a stand is an excellent choice for hosting dinner parties or special occasions. They mimic the style used by restaurants and offer the benefit of freeing up table space. You can even use them in your bedroom or bathroom for intimate settings.
How much you can expect to spend on a wine chiller
Wine chillers typically range from $10 to $50. Models sold for less than $20 are usually simple stainless-steel models, while higher-quality options will cost between $20-$30. For marble or glass chillers or models with stands, expect to pay more than $30.
FAQ
How long should wine be chilled?
Generally, it takes 15-30 minutes in a wine chiller for a room-temperature bottle of white wine to cool. Champagne takes a little less time. Store white wine in the refrigerator for the best results. Red wine should be kept in a cool, dry spot like a closet.
What should I do with wine that's too cold?
Wine that's too cold can lose its flavor and aroma. Set the wine out at room temperature to allow it to warm up gradually or place it in a warm water bath for quicker warming.
Top picks
Top wine chiller
Vacu Vin Prestige Tabletop Wine Cooler
This sleek, speedy wine cooler chills a bottle in minutes and keeps it cool for up to four hours, all without the use of ice. The compact design fits well on most bar carts.
What’s great:
- Impressive, stylish appearance that makes it appear more expensive than it actually is.
- Easy to use and doesn't require messy ice, as it comes with a gel insert to freeze before use.
- Compact design, making it ideal for space-saving solution.
What to consider:
- Works best with bottles that fit snugly inside the cooler to freeze the gel insert evenly.
Top wine chiller for the money
Wine Enthusiast Double-Walled Iceless Wine Bottle Chiller
Featuring an elegant glass construction, this budget-friendly chiller allows you to see the wine bottle through the chiller and prevents condensation with its dual-layer glass design.
What’s great:
- Glass construction lets you easily see the wine bottle and indicates when it's nearly empty.
- Dual-layer glass prevents condensation.
- Affordable, making it an excellent gift for wine lovers.
What to consider:
- Doesn't accommodate large Champagne bottles.
- Works best for preserving already-chilled wine rather than chilling bottles from room temperature.
In the realm of enhancing your food-and-drink experience, don't forget to elevate your home-and-garden aesthetic with a stylish wine chiller. After all, arts and lifestyle are about creating an environment that reflects your personal taste and enhances your enjoyment. Whether you opt for a sleek stainless steel design or a more upscale marble or glass option, you'll find that a good wine chiller complements your table décor perfectly. To store your leafy greens and fresh herbs from the garden, consider incorporating a stylish home-and-garden container that seamlessly fits with your new wine chiller, making food preparation a part of your lifestyle art.
