Okay, here's my first question as a new member of the Forum;
since I have no cellar or storage space with a guaranteed constant temperature (not even one family member or friend with a cellar), I'm planning on buying a wine cooler.
I don't know if it's the proper English term for it, but I mean a refridgerator for wine.
Buy one that is at least 100% bigger than you think you'll use. So, if you're planning on getting a 200 bottle one because that is how many bottles you think you'll aquire, buy the 400 bottle cooler. Trust me, they fill up a lot faster than you think.
I have two coolers as well, because the bottle count just keeps on growing.
From an economic standpoint, I would recommend the models that you put together yourself. They're fairly easy if you enlist a friend's help, and they're much more economical. The one I have seals great and keeps a pretty consistent temperature and humidity, and the pricing is great compared to the others, both raw cost and shipping cost. I'm assuming these are available in the EU and not just in the US.
If you have an extra room or closet, you can buy a contained room cooler for wine room purposes. It does not have to exhaust outside either. You could also frame a room within a current room and cooling unit. I have seen people do it under stairs or just cutting off a wall in a living room and framing the inside walls in glass.
I bought my cooler second hand about 12 years ago and its still going strong. I had a good look round it before I bought it and checked the seals, temperature, heat exchanger etc. but saved myself about 50% of the cost even after hiring a van to move it to my home.
Alex
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.
2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
I would recommend to have a look at Liebherr WK 5700. Reasonable price ( about 1200 EUR) and does not need much electricity (255 kw/year). For 231 bottles. I am happy with this one.
