Wine cooler temperatures and running noise

[TorqueDirty]

Hi Folks,

Couple of quick questions on wine coolers.

We have a 12 bottle one in our kitchen and whilst it looks good it struggles to get below 10 degrees C. At 11 C the the compressor is constantly on and it makes a lot of noise. Our normal big fridge happily sits at 4 C and is virtually silent.

So questions. First what is the recommended temperature to store and serve dry white at? We mostly drink dry whites such as Sauvignon as opposed to Chardonay but have a fair variety in for Christmas, ranging from Champers, though to some reasonable White Burgundy. In all honestly we tend to stick our whites in the fridge because the wine cooler is so noisy but I know 4 degrees is probably too cold - and anyway there is a space issue at Christmas so the noisy wine cooler has been turned on again.

Second, is our wine cooler simply crap or are they all noisy and unable to get below 10 C? I was going to buy a new one (the one we have came with the house and judging by the rest of the stuff in the kitchen I doubt it is very good.) However the prices for decent wine coolers are eye watering so I have decided not to get a new one for now.

Last, are there any things to check on the cooler to see if I can get it to quieten down a bit?

Thanks in advance
TD

[Hosenbugler]

A lot of quality white is best drunk like reds, at, or close to, room temperature. Ice/ overly chilling drinks numbs the tatsebuds so stunts flavour.

If its cheap stuff (white) bung it in the fridge. Use the wine fridge for storing good reds at approx 17/18 C. Nothing here hard and fast, but reasonable approximation.

ETA. Good wine fridges cost an absolute fortune, John Lewis, do, (or once did) a very high quality make, several thousand quid a go!

They still do: http://www.johnlewis.com/sub-zero-icbws30-s-th-rh-...

Edited by Hosenbugler on Thursday 22 December 14:26

[Davey S2]

Most whites are served too cold and reds too warm.

I just generally stick to the 5 minute rule:

Whites - take out of the fridge 5 mins before drinking (assuming kept in a normal temp fridge)

Red - put it in the fridge for 5 mins before drinking (assuming at normal room temperature).

[rdjohn]

I bought a couple of Samsung wine fridges in 2005 after 2 years they were both noisy, running long times. Eventually we regarded them and within weeks they were useless, again.

We bought two newer models and they have worked perfectly for 4-years.

It's a personal choice at the end of the day, but in summer I have them set at 6 and 18 degC. In summer 5 and 16degC

[ReaperCushions]

I like white wine very cold (Yes I am a heathen). We bought a cheapo one from Currys for about 100 quid and it was useless. We ended up putting it back in the main fridge again to be able to drink it.

[TorqueDirty]

Thanks for the tips guys.

Took the thing apart today and the fan that is supposed to come on and cool the compressor is not running. The compresor is too hot to touch.

It's a gonner (and was probably not much better when new) so reds will be kept in it with the power off over Christmas and then it goes to the dump, to be replaced by something better - but not the £11k one form John Lewis!

It is not the end of the world because living in Scotland, and having an attached double garage we actually have all the cold storage space we need!

I do like the 5 minute rule though.

TD