Eco-Conscious Collecting: How to Store Wine Sustainably
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a budding enthusiast, the way you store your wine says a lot about your values - especially when it comes to sustainability. As the world leans into greener choices, the wine fridge industry is following suit.
At CoolerSomm HQ, we’re passionate about sustainable wine storage and offer a curated range of eco wine fridges and energy-efficient wine coolers that not only match your taste, but your environmental ethos, too.
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Why Sustainable Wine Storage Matters
Wine is a natural product, and so its relationship with sustainability is deep-rooted (literally). From the initial grape growing process to bottling up the good stuff, sustainability has become a key priority across the industry. But it shouldn’t end there.
It’s worth asking, have you considered the impact of how you store your wine at home?
Traditional cellars and poorly insulated fridges alike can consume unnecessary energy, especially when maintaining specific temperatures year-round. Over time, this not only adds to your carbon footprint but costs you more in electricity bills.
Making the switch to a modern, energy-efficient wine fridge is not only a smart investment, it’s a conscious step toward reducing overall environmental impact.
So, What Makes a Wine Fridge “Eco”?
An eco wine fridge isn’t just about low power consumption. The best sustainable coolers effortlessly blend smart technology, thoughtful design, and durable materials to preserve your wine - and the planet.
In the market for an eco-friendly wine fridge? Here’s what to look out for:
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Low Energy Consumption: Opt for wine fridges with F energy ratings or better. Many models today use thermoelectric or inverter compressor technology, which consumes less energy but don't maintain temperatures in a steady range. Serious collectors do need a compressor driven wine fridge, which naturally uses more energy BUT those with an F or higher rating are among the best.
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Eco Refrigerants: Environmentally safe refrigerants (like R600a models) minimise global warming potential and ozone depletion.
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Carbon Filter: One for the eco-checklist is whether or not your mode of choice features a carbon filter. Having one installed significantly reduces the amount of contaminants and pollutants that linger, creating a healthier environment by purifying the air. Regularly replacing the carbon filter is another way you can keep the manufacturing process eco-friendly.
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Precision Climate Control: More accurate temperature and humidity control reduces the strain on the fridge unit, making it more efficient and longer-lasting.
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Longevity & Recyclability: A well-built wine fridge (just like a finely-aged bottle) will last for years. Choose brands that use recyclable materials and offer extended warranties, reducing the need for frequent replacements - and, let’s face it, unnecessary stress. Long warranties generally indicate quality in the product. Look to brands like Swisscave, EuroCave, mQuvee and Dunavox for longer warranties.
CoolerSomm offers a range of sustainable wine storage solutions from leading brands like Liebherr, Climadiff, Swisscave and EuroCave - all designed with energy efficiency and longevity in mind.
Top Tip: Single zones are more efficient than dual zone wine fridges if within the same model and series as only one set of cooling per fridge is needed.
How do you know your wine storage of choice is sustainable? There are a few tricks of the trade to look out for. Take note of the product’s energy rating (the higher the letter, the more environmentally-friendly it is), whether the fridge offers single or dual-zoned temperature settings, and what type of door it features - it all has an impact.
Smart Collecting with a Conscience
Being an eco-conscious wine lover extends far beyond the type of fridge you buy, though. There are plenty of other mindful moves you can make to sip ‘n’ save (as we like to say):
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Buy Local & Organic Wines: Support local vineyards that practice sustainable viticulture. Look for organic, biodynamic, or low-intervention labels.
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Use Reusable Accessories: From corkscrews to stoppers, choosing reusable tools made from sustainable materials (like bamboo or stainless steel) is an easy, sustainable swap.
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Plan Your Storage Wisely: A well-organised wine fridge ensures even airflow and prevents overcooling - reducing energy waste. Also, storing your wine horizontally ensures the cork stays moist, which is key for long-term storage - a dried out cork can cause seepage and premature ageing.
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Turn Off Features When Not Needed: Some wine fridges offer, rather atmospheric, LED lighting or display features. It sounds simple, but that’s because it is. Switching them off when not in use can save even more energy. Some offer Sabbath mode that can be entered when the home owner is on holiday.
Cool with a Cause
At CoolerSomm, we believe wine collecting should be as kind to the earth as it is to your palate. With the right energy-efficient wine cooler, you can protect your prized bottles while lowering your carbon footprint - without compromising on performance or design. Now that’s what we call five-star service…
Ready to upgrade to smarter, greener wine storage?
Explore our hand-picked collection of eco wine fridges, visit us in store or speak to an advisor today via live chat.