The title says it all. I’m looking for a countertop wine reefer, 12-20 bottles. Not to flashy, no bells and whistles; just something to keep my vino army in peak condition before I send them off to war. Suggestions?
Stranger
Saw an ad for the Cuisenart one which really was beautiful and just the right size.
Went to ePinions.com and several people posted that it was very noisy, running almost all the time and louder than a refrigerator. Also the intake vent was on the right side, so it could not be placed next to anything on that side.
Other makes seem to have the same problem.
Might I ask. . .what are your goals. . .
To buy something decent and finish it over the next 6 months?
To buy something really nice, and store it for years?
Can we assume you don’t have a basement?
I’m not a collector; at most I might carry a bottle for a few months. I’m just looking to protect my rotating stock against the ravages of summer in my un-air conditioned apartment without taking up valuable refrigerator space. I do not, as you have correctly assumed, have a basement or any place else to store the articles in a cool, sunless place.
Stranger
Don’t overestimate how much damage can be done to wine over the course of a just few months even in pretty bad conditions. But, you can judge that for yourself.
Still, if you got it, you might be tempted to get some nice bottles to keep for a longer time, and that’s fun – with the added benefit of keeping your everyday drinkers in more optimal conditions. Then you’re going to be subject to what I call “wine creep”. . .the phenomenon of buying a rack, filling it, buying another rack, filling it, etc. etc.
I guess I can’t tell you anything that ePinions can’t, but here’s some that seem reasonable from a place I’ve ordered other things from.
This review says this one is quiet and it seems to have a small footprint, two things I’d be concerned about. . .
http://www.epinions.com/Avanti_12_Bottle_Thermoelectric_Wine_Cooler/display_~reviews
GL
I’ve got one of these. It’s probably a bit big for your needs, but mine works like a charm.