What is the different types of wine coolers?

Proper wine storage not only helps in improving the shelf life of the beverage but also goes a long way in improving its taste and quality. Wine coolers are the best when it comes to saving your favorite drink from spoilage. The best wine coolers provide ambient temperatures and humidity levels that will keep your drink even safer for your consumption.

So why is temperature an important thing to consider when it comes to wine storage? Well, white, pink and sweet wines have a tendency of tasting like syrup if stored in temperatures out of 40 to 46^oF. Low tannin or lighter red wines with relatively low alcohol contents are great when served at chilled temperatures of between 58 and 60^oF. Wines with high tannin on the other hands should be stored at temperatures above 60^oF.

As seen above, it’s very important to store your wine at the right temperatures. So which are the best wine coolers currently available in the market? Let’s take a look at the different types of wine coolers which are perfect for you.

What is a wine cooler?

A wine cooler is a device that can be used to cool down a bottle of wine once it has been opened. They are also known as wine chillers, but there is no need to use the full name when you know what they’re called! It’s kind of like saying “e-mail” instead of “electronic mail”. To start from scratch, these devices will generally allow you to place your bottle inside and then adjust the internal temperature until it reaches the perfect coldness level.

Different Types of Wine Coolers

There are lots types of wine coolers currently available. You might even get confused at which to go for. To eliminate doubts and worries about wine coolers, it is important to have a look at some the most common brands you’ll always come across.

Built-In coolers

Do you lack enough space in your living room to accommodate a stand-alone wine cooler? The built-in wine coolers are meant for those small spaces. However, they are more expensive compared to their counterparts.

Being that they are designed according to one’s specifications and without ventilations make them quite costly. Unless the manufacturer specifies that the cooler can be installed in cabinet spaces, don’t make the move. Installing a cooler that isn’t built-in in cabinet spaces is way of spoiling your drinks.

Free-Standing Coolers

Free-standing wine coolers are averagely priced and also rank highly in the most commonly used list. They are available in different sizes and your choice solely depends on the amount of floor space you have. The size doesn’t correlate in any way to the cooler’s efficiency.

You’ll even be surprised to find very compact free-standing coolers that are very reliable when it comes to chilling wine. Unlike built-in coolers, free-standing coolers can actually be placed at any available space in your house.

Single Zone and Dual Zone Coolers

As you have seen above, different types of wines require different storage temperatures. You might have two or more different wines in your house which you’d wish to preserve under different temperature settings. This is where the dual zone coolers come in.

Dual coolers are capable of maintaining different temperatures at ago. Single zone coolers, on the other hand, are known for their constant temperature setting as well as their large storage capacities. Another good feature about single zone coolers is their ease of integration into almost all kitchens.

Counter-Top Coolers

Have you run through your house and lacked floor space for a wine cooler? Worry no more as counter-top coolers are the best suited for such scenarios. These are perfect for wine consumers who aren’t much into collection and too long storage.

Their small sizes make them easy to store but at the same time spacious enough to store enough bottles for your comfort. These models are available in different sizes so it’s a good idea if you settle on a size based on available space at home.

Unlike the other models described above, counter-top coolers need ventilations so ensure there is sufficient space for the same before making a purchase.

Under-Counter Wine Coolers

The under-counter wine coolers are also ideal for compact spaces. They are best suited for use in cafeterias, kitchens and restaurants. Despite their compact sizes, they are spacious enough to store beer and wine in their two storage sections.

These can be placed underneath the counters without a thing to worry about.

Thermoelectric vs compressor coolers

Based on the type of technology, there are compressor and thermoelectric coolers. Compressor-based coolers are run by motors that compress air before releasing the same to decrease the temperature. These consume more electric power compared to the thermoelectric.

The thermoelectric models on the other hand are less noisy as instead of motors they use electric currents which aren’t alternating. No over-freezing and minimal energy consumption are some of the benefits of using thermoelectric coolers.

When choosing the right wine cooler for your usage there are a number of factors to consider. Why do we say so? You probably wouldn’t want to buy an appliance as important as this, only to render it unusable. Some of these factors are:

• Temperature settings
• Capacity
• Storage area
• Additional features
• Technology

What’s the difference between a wine cooler and a wine cellar?

A wine cooler is a refrigerator that cools down to as much as 55 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas a wine cellar is an environment kept at a constant temperature between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Wine cellars also may have humidity controls which wine coolers lack.

Some people even make their own wine cellars by keeping their bottles in a basement or root cellar, where the temperatures are typically around 55 degrees—though these types of homemade “wine cellars” don’t usually have humidity controls either.

A wine cellar is a room or other area specifically built to store wine.

A cellar is an inside area with temperature controlled for the storage of wine at the correct temperature and humidity, as well as suitable racks upon which to store bottles lying down so as not to damage them. These are also often called “wine rooms”.

In addition, a wine cellar will have casks of differing sizes for different wines. The above mentioned 55 °F (12.78 °C) lies between the commercial refrigerator and room temperature.

This is because cellars borrow from both environments: temperatures that are cold enough that many varietals would be extinguished due to frost, but not cold enough that they’d freeze; humidity levels high enough to corks from drying out; and racks and casks that are designed to make the corks fit tightly in order to preserve the bottles.

What do Americans mean by wine cooler?

Kidding aside, Americans use the term wine cooler to refer to a range of drinks that are designed to be refreshing and light. These include wines made from grapes (of course!) but also other fruit wines. They will often have an alcohol content in the 5-8% ABV range (although you’ll see some with higher %ABV) because they need to be relatively easy drinking to appeal to mainstream drinkers.

What do Europeans mean by wine cooler?

Europeans tend not to refer to any alcoholic drink as “wine coolers.” For them, there is no difference between wine and lager & sometimes you’ll hear beers referred to as “vinho fresco”. That’s why Europe you won’t find any wines that are marketed as wine coolers.

Conclusion about types of wine coolers

Apart from temperature, there are other factors that might affect the quality, durability and taste of your wine. These may include vibration and light among others. That being said, it is worth noting that wine cannot therefore be stored just for the sake of it.

Would you organize a special occasion for days only for wine to let you down? And only on storage grounds? Wine coolers will maintain a constant temperature throughout the storage duration making the wine age perfectly well.

To get yourself the right cooler, there are a number of factors to consider as explained above. Take your time, research and get an ideal model that will serve you right. From the different types of wine coolers that we have discussed, we hope you have learned something very informative. Is there any piece of information that you would wish to add onto this? Get in touch with us.

The Malbec and the Merlot are two popular brands of wine that have stood the test of time, survived crop failure and been blended into perfection. Both of these wines are synonymous with class and elegance, but what are their differences? Which is better?

We have put down this guide to answer these questions and much more.

What Is Malbec?

Malbec is an acidic, full-bodied, deep purple red wine with multiple juicy fruity flavors such as blackberries and plums. This wine is predominantly produced in Argentina and other parts of South America. However, it has several different names depending on where you are in the world, like Côt Noir, Auxerrois or Pressac.

Is Malbec dry or sweet?

The Malbec is a red wine that is often considered dry, with medium to medium-full body, and is usually perfect for pairing with lean meat.

Where is Malbec produced?

Today, Malbec can be found growing mostly in Argentina and France, but also in a number of other regions, including California.

• Argentina is the primary source of Malbec wine. This red wine is practically used and recognized everywhere in Argentina. It is quite popular among residents, and the people of Argentina have dedicated their lives and resources to the production of this wine.
• France is the second largest producer of Malbec wine, although when compared to Argentina, it is still far behind. It is also worth noting that the wine is now sold alone, but is still being used in other wine blends.
• Next on the list would be California. The state grows Malbec widely in several of its regions.
• Other regions include small pockets in Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, Mexico, and Bolivia.

What Does Malbec Taste Like?

Malbec is commonly known for its fruity, yet jammy taste paired with a strong kick. Some of the common flavors include:

• Molasses
• Tobacco
• Cocoa
• Dark fruits such as: raisins, blueberries, black cherries, plums, and pomegranates.
• Coffee
• Leather
• Black Pepper
• Gravel

Is Malbec the healthiest wine?

The grape skins of Malbec are among the thickest of all grape varieties. This implies they are high in the antioxidant resveratrol, which is excellent for your heart and immune system. Malbec contains four times the merlot’s antioxidant level and almost doubles the Cabernet Sauvignon‘s antioxidant content.

What Is Merlot?

Merlot is a blue grape wine that is perfect on its own or mixed into blends. Wines made out of 100% pure merlot grapes often produce the perfect, deep velvet, full-bodied red wine. This wine is perfect for first-time drinkers or white wine lovers who want to try out red wine.

Where is Merlot produced?

Merlot has spread globally, and now it is the most widely grown grape variety in the world. Here are a few major places it is produced.

• Merlot is still cultivated and produced in France, mostly in the Bordeaux region, for use in Bordeaux blends as well as for solo drinking. France, on the other hand, continues to be the leading producer, accounting for two-thirds of global merlot production and dedicating nearly 300,000 acres to the grape.
• Merlot production in Italy is concentrated in the Friuli region of northern Italy and Tuscany, though merlot is used in Italian blends to a significant extent.
• Merlot is cultivated in Spain/Portugal, Europe, the United States, Canada, South America, South Africa, and Asia, among other places. In the United States, Merlot is most commonly found in California and Washington State.

The main ingredient in Merlot

Merlot is made from red-skinned grapes, also called merlots. These grapes are known for their soft, juicy, sensual texture and natural flavors. These grapes are also capable of adapting to various climates and producing a variety of different types of food-friendly wines that have different price ranges. As a result of the different varieties, Merlot can be rich and oaky, velvety or plummy.

What does Merlot taste like?

Merlot has a flavor that is similar to cherries and chocolate. It has moderate tannins and will not dry out your palate. Merlot, like Pinot Noir, is a light, versatile red that goes well with almost any dish, including pizza, lasagna, and cheeseburgers.

How Are Malbec and Merlot Similar? What is the difference?

As seen above, Malbec and Merlot are both traditional red wines that basically have similar origins. Both wines are also spread around the world due to crop failure. Due to this crop failure, both wines were able to achieve the perfect blend of taste, making this wine a prized blend.

Both wines are also considered as dry red wines, with both pairing well with lean meats and recognized as medium to medium-full-bodied wines. But though they have several things in common, there are a few differences between the two.

The major differences between Malbec and Merlot are:

• The Malbec wine is mainly produced in the wine regions of Argentina and France, while the Merlot is produced in France, Spain, and Italy.
• Merlot is a dryer wine than Malbec, which only has a medium level of dryness.
• The Malbec is a lot more full-bodied, but you can find the Merlot at a cheaper price, just a different variety.
• The Malbec has a smoky, jammy flavor, while the Merlot tastes like fruit flavors, chocolates and bay leaf.

Which is better, merlot or malbec?

Because of its low tannins, Malbec has a silky taste and an excellent, smooth finish. After each sip of pure Malbec with no additives, a smoky flavor lingers on the tongue. Malbec has a high level of tannins and a low level of acidity, making it excellent for those who prefer dry red wines. Merlot, on the other hand, is frequently fruitier. The wine is selected depending on the palate, the occasion, and the food that will be served with it.

Merlot’s dry, chilly flavor reflects the environment in which the grapes used to create it thrive. The appeal of Merlot stems from its ability to take on new flavors when mixed with different grape varietals. Merlot and Cabernet, for example, form an excellent pairing. Merlot is a wine that is simple to drink. This sweeter varietal may appeal to casual wine drinkers. It has a smooth, creamy aftertaste because of the thin peel of the grapes used to create it. The thin skin allows more light to enter the fruit, resulting in a sweeter pulp.

Even inexperienced wine consumers are aware that red wine is a legendary match with meat meals. Both Malbec and Merlot wines may be a good match for a steak meal. Merlots with a lighter body are ideal for a laid-back supper of pasta, pizza, or lamb chops. For a great balance, pair a medium-bodied Merlot with delicious steak meals garnished with strong veggies.

All in all, the better wine is dependent on your preference.

Conclusion

 Although, there are certain diffrences between the Merlot and Malbec, the choice of which is better greatly depends on preferences and what the wine will be used for. But with all of these, we can say both wines are indeed splendid blends that provide great satisfaction for your palate.

The presence of an expensive wine in an event fascinates a lot. If you really want to impress your guests, then a million-dollar wine is worth spending on. And to imagine that the prices of these wines keep shooting up each day, makes them not easily affordable.

As you have always heard, wine becomes even better with age. Here is actually an opportunity to purchase one too many bottles before the prices get over the roof.

So, which are these brands that stand out among the rest as being the royalties in the wine world? Well, here is an opportunity to have a look at some of the highly valued wines in the world.

Why expensive wine?

Wine ages and becomes better with time. This makes it have a very rich taste. Expensive wines are therefore the sweetest you can ever come across in any kind of a market.

Expensive wines also come with some kind of prestige making them a preserve for only a select section of the world’s population; the haves. An expensive wine is an investment on its own.

What is the most expensive wine?

In 2018, 1945 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Romanee-Conti became the most expensive wine ever sold in the whole world after being sold for a staggering $558,000 a bottle. This happened at an auction organized by Sotheby.

On an average Romanee-Conti Romanee-Conti costs $19,702 still making it the world’s most expensive wine. This is a clear indication that wine can at times cost a fortune.

Top 10 most expensive wines

1. Romanee-Conti Grand Cru

After the second world war, Phylloxera, a commercial vineyards pest, destroyed Romanee Conti. Only 600 bottles of wine had been brewed from this by the time of pest attack. This meant that not much Romanee-Conti wine were manufactured thereafter.

Averagely, this wine costs $19702. However, at an auction in 2018 one bottle of the original Romanee-Conti fetched way over $500,000 making it the most expensive wine on planet earth.

2. Domaine Leroy Musigny Grand Cru

A feminine and elegant wine is in the Domaine Leroy Musigny. This is a product of biodynamic farming making it not only long-lasting but also special. Its fruit yield isn’t much but of very great quality.

What makes it stand out is its purity, multi-layers and concentration among others.

3. Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon 1992

Of the expensive wines in USA, Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon features as a result of its year 2000 record where it was sold for $500,000 for a single 750ml bottle. It is purple in color with an unfiltered bottling.

With traces of oak in this wine, it has jammy blackcurrant aroma.

4. Jeroboam of Chateau Mouton-Rothschild 1945

Being a product of one of the richest families in the world, this wine is without a doubt one of the most expensive available. It’s one of the best vintages of the 20^th century being that it came from Nathaniel Rothschild vineyards.

In its branding, it has a ‘’V’’ in the 1945 label as a sign of allied forces victory in the second world war.

5. Cheval Blanc 1947

This is the best ever wine from France. The Bordeaux-based wine was at one point bought at an auction for $303,375. During its first brewing, lots of unfortunate incidences as regards weather occurred leading to lots of technical flaws resulting into a taste that wasn’t liked by many.

Chateau Cheval Blanc in 2012 received Premier Grand Cru Classe (A) award as one othe world’s most prestigious winemakers.

6. Shipwrecked 1907 Heidsieck

This wine was made for Russian Nicholas II but the ship ferrying it sank in 1916 only for the wine to found in the wreckage in 1997. About 2000 bottles of this wine were discovered and it’s this painful yet beautiful story that made its price to shoot to $275,000.

The ship had been sunk by a German submarine during the first world war. Upon discovery, the wine tasted just fine as it had stayed frozen without exposure to light.

7. Henri Jayer, Vosne-Romanee Cros Parantoux 1999

In the 2018 fall at Hong Kong, Vosne-Romanee topped Christie’s wine sale list at $136,995. It is also brewed at the famous Burgundy region in France. It has an aroma with hints of red ripe fruits, spices and minerals.

8. 1811 Chateau D’yquem

At some point, 1811 Chateau D’yquem held the Guiness world record as the most expensive wine then at a price of $117,000. This is the amount that was paid by Christian Vanneque for the then record.

This is probably the best white wine ever brewed.

9. Chateau Margaux 1787

With Thomas Jefferson’s initials, famous oenophile, is also among the most expensive wines of all time. The wine however broke to bits at a dinner after a waiter accidentally bumped on a table. William Solokin, the owner, never tasted it but was paid $225,000 by an insurance firm.

The unfortunate incident happened at the Four Season Hotel where the wine had been brought to celebrate its existence.

10. Cheval Blanc St-Emilion 1947

With high alcohol and volatile acidity contents, Cheval Blanc St-Emilion 1947 ranks highly due to its composition of Merlot and Franc, each in halves. The extremely high temperatures of 1947 was actually a blessing in disguise as the not-too-dry fermenting process led to one of the best wines in the globe. Actually it is the residual sugar from the “incomplete fermenting” that makes it worth $135,125.

Conclusion

Have you realized that whatever you’ve been drinking as wine is way below the world’s most expensive brands? Well, this will probably make you a little dissatisfied but again encouraging to one day afford any of the brands above. One thing worth appreciating is your unending love for wine.

Which of these wines has really caught your eye? Would you buy any of them and for which occasions? Well, it will be great to drink what has been a preserve for the wealthy this year. Don’t you think so?

Thank you! Pennsylvania6dc.com

These two words; vineyard and winery, aren’t associated with anything else but your favorite beverage, wine. But do you really know the difference between winery and vineyard? Well, your excitement often stops at the “wine” in both of them but have you ever thought of digging deeper into these two words?

Those who are work in these two areas do know what they stand for and will usually use them interchangeably to your amusement. This is some sort of indication that they mean two different things. So, what is a vineyard? And a winery? Are they related in any way? And what are some of the things they share in common?

We seek to answer these plus other questions in this article. Read along.

What’s winery?

A winery is just a property from where wine is being produced. It is from the winery where winemakers turn grapes into wine. The grapes can be grown either within this property or sourced from elsewhere.

The process of producing wine in a winery is complex and has several steps which include fermentation, juice blending and aging among others. Wineries are available in different types some of which are as below:

• Farm Winery

Here, owners of the winery reside within the same property. The grapes are grown in this farm together with other crops. The good thing about farm winery is that the owners are able to keep an eye on their property and production on a daily basis.

• Vineyard Winery

This is often what comes to most people’s minds at the mention of wine production units. Vineyard wineries are known for their large tracts of lands from where their own grapes are grown. Every process till the final wine is produced happens within this farm.

Wine that is produced in such a setup is usually referred to as Estate Wine. Being that the grapes are grown and the production happen within the same facility, these Estate Wines are more expensive.

• Destination Winery

Destination wineries are the to-go-to destinations for people who want to spend some time out of their normal schedules. Located in the country, these wineries have relaxing setups, attraction features and amazing views that will help you unwind for a weekend or so.

There are lots of others that have even ventured into more like hotel services offering bed and breakfast. What beats enjoying your wine while at the same time having a view of the beautiful nature?

• Venue Winery

Have you come across wineries with dedicated halls for guests? These are what are known as venue wineries. There are some that even offer special outdoor spaces for live concerts and festivals.

Apart from wine production, there are special spaces just from within where you can hold your events as you enjoy the drinks.

• Urban Winery

Wineries found in downtown areas are called urban wineries. In an urban area, there is no way a winery will grow its grapes so instead they outsource them from elsewhere. Where in an urban area will get a considerably land tract of land to grow your grapes?

What’s a vineyard?

A plantation from where grapes are grown is what’s called a vineyard. A vineyard can also be used to grow raisins, table grapes and other non-alcoholic grapes.

Most wineries have their own vineyards to minimize on costs. Vineyards have been around since about 5000BC. The most common type of vineyard is the vignette.

• Vignette Vineyard

This is a small vineyard which is usually part of another large one elsewhere. They are small portions of less than 500 square meters. These small portions of land are bought by investors to add onto their vineyard collections.

They are co-owned in a co-op like structure. Here, investors get cheap labor and operational costs are usually lower.

• Where to locate your vineyards

As you are already aware, wines usually take the flavor and aroma of the vineyards from where the grapes were grown. The climate and type of soil are the greatest contributors to a wine’s aroma and flavors. These plus other factors are known as terroir in the field of wine production.

Some of the factors that are associated with terroir are terrain, type of rock, soil, humidity, wind and rain among others. All these you have to consider before settling on an ideal place for your vineyard.

Most vineyards are planted on hillsides for maximum exposure to sunlight. Besides, soils in such terrains are poor and the best for wine grapes.

Differences between winery and vineyard

From their definitions as discussed above, a winery is a property from where wine is brewed whereas a vineyard is a piece of land where wine grapes are grown. A winery, on the other hand, can be found within a vineyard.

Grapes are grown in a vineyard and the wine is produced in a winery. This is the main difference between the two terms.

Is there any relation between a winery and a vineyard?

Well, wineries depend on grapes grown on vineyards for the process of wine production to be complete. In as much as a winery can be found within the precincts of a vineyard, the two depend on each other.

At the same time, not all wineries will have vineyards. There are vineyards that grow grapes for sale to different wineries either locally or globally. There is some dependence between these two.

Wrapping Up

Do you still think you can use vineyard and winery interchangeably? You will agree with us that they don’t mean the same thing and should instead be used sparingly. Having known the difference between winery and vineyard, it’s a good thing to help spread the word to avoid the confusion that has been witnessed before.

A wine enthusiast shouldn’t make a mistake of referring to a winery as a vineyard and vice versa. Stand out among your peers as someone who knows almost all if not everything about wines. Don’t you think you will earn lots of respect from your friends? Share your thoughts with us.