What are the special benefits of an N’Finity unit?

As a restaurateur, wine retailer or wine maker you will be able to provide proper and convenient wine service for your customers with a unit designed to fit your needs.

•    The N’finity cellars allow easy access to wines by simply sliding out one of the many included rolling shelves to find a customer’s selection
•    The front vented technology enables you to place the unit in a corner of the restaurant, on your selling floor or in any storage room without occupying important floor space.
•    Smooth, elegant, blue interior lighting will add to the ambiance of your space, rather than taking away from it.
•    Reversible doors mean you’ll find an N’Finity unit that is perfect for your space
•    Two-zone digital temperature control gives you flexibility with storage and service temperatures for both reds and whites.

About 2 weeks ago, a client of mine in the NY metropolitan area was handling a major corporate event party. Unfortunately, they ran out of Chardonnay within the first hour of the event! Because of the dual temperature zones, the sommelier was able to re-stock the N’Finity’s top (cooler) compartment and chill the whites down to 44 degrees, making them ready-to-serve by the time the main course was out. A major fiasco avoided! The flexibility this unit has brought to that establishment has been huge.

Myself and the team are so happy to have this custom-built, dream wine service unit to offer, with many happy customers already putting them to great use. Any questions? Give us a call at 800.377.3330

The vintage view style makes the labels easily readable and creates a gorgeous display. If you are interested in building a cellar like this or of a different style, simply call us at 800.377.3330 and one of our wine storage consultants will be happy to help!

Most people are familiar with 1-temp or 2-temp units, Eurocave even makes a 3-temp model. The lower section houses approximately 12-18 standard size bottles, the temperature is set for white wine service. The very top of the unit has another separated compartment that houses approximately 8-12 bottles at red wine service temp, while the rest of the unit is at recommended 55 degree storage.

Of course if you have any questions or are unclear as which application would suit you the best, our Wine Enthusiast Storage Consultants are available at 800.377.3330 to make it easy for you!

One of the most important things when selecting the proper storage for your wine collection is the position of the bottles. We recommend that you store all of your wine bottles horizontally. Why?

With horizontal storage, the cork stays moist by its contact with the wine and any sediment that develops will sit at the bottom. If your wine bottles are stored vertically, the corks are at risk for shrinking and drying out, which means they will crumble when you decide to open the wine. It’s best to store the wine horizontally and parallel to the ground, on an even plane. If the bottle is angled downward the sediment falls toward the neck and if angled upward, you will have the same cork drying issue as if the bottle were vertical! Plus, horizontal storage is the best way to keep your bottles organized!

Thanks to Robert Dwyer at Wellesley Wine Press, for asking this great question!

A great majority of wine is made to be enjoyed right away and does not need to be aged. However, wines of supreme quality can evolve with time in the bottle, offering a rewarding experience to the patient cellar keeper. The two major factors that determine the ageability of wine are its tannins and its sugar content. Tannic reds and dessert wines can typically age longer than whites (though there are exceptions), because these qualities preserve the wine over time, allowing further development without spoilage.

A wine’s ageabilty can vary greatly depending on the producer, style, and quality but the following is a handy starting point:

15-20+ Years: French Cabernet-based wines and tannic Italian reds like: Bordeaux, Barolo, Barbaresco, Brunello di Montalcino
10-15+ Years: Sauternes, Late-Harvest Riesling, Tokaj, Vintage Port
5-10+ Years: New World Cabernet Sauvignon, Chianti Classico, Rhone Valley, Grenache, Rioja
3-5+ Years: Pinot Noir, Burgundy, Zinfandel, Napa Valley Merlot
1-3 + Years: Chardonnay, Dry Riesling, White Burgundy, Gewurztraminer
Will Not Age: Beaujolais, Rose, Sauvignon Blanc, Gamay, Pinot Grigio, Chenin Blanc

In either case, our wine storage specialists are here to help you make the correct decision for all of your storage needs. If you have any further questions or are ready to make a wine cellar purchase, give us a call at 800.377.3330

As a Wine Cellar Design Specialist, I’m often asked: “where do you start?” The task of planning and building a wine cellar can sound difficult, but we do our best to make the process simple. Of the utmost importance is of course a customer’s satisfaction with the end result. One of my recent clients, the Santos family, was so happy that they sent photos of our design work. The key is open communication and listening to your customers needs.  Before doing anything, we discussed their wine cellar dreams, so that I could tailor the cellar to meet them.

It can begin with a simple hand sketch showing the dimensions of the proposed space.  This is the point where I would spend some time reviewing goals and needs such as bottle count, storage of large formatted bottles, and determining if the wine cellar is for function or a showpiece.

Our goal for the Santoses was to build a wine cellar that would exceed 1000 bottles.  In the cellar, they were looking to create an atmosphere surrounding their showcase cellar. The outside room is detailed with winemaking equipment, a bar and a center dining table. Leading to the entrance, we have vintage oak barrel ends near their custom etched glass door.  We soffited around the ceiling so we could install elevated, raised panels. We created space for bulk storage, utilizing diamond bins and cubes.  These areas are great for large format bottles and cases of the same varietal.  In creating a showcase cellar, we had to address the need for a quiet, efficient, long lasting commercial-grade cooling system.

In addition, the family didn’t want to see any ductwork running throughout their cellar and their adjacent entertaining room, so we opted for a ductless split system where we have a remote condenser and a wall-mounted evaporator that was concealed within the racking. Having a fully customized door with an etched logo that matched the wine cellar racks really tied the two spaces together and created one magnificent room. To enhance their cellar even further, we dipped and hand-rubbed their racks with a beautiful light Danish stain that brought out the beauty of the All Heart Redwood color and grain.  We hid the evaporator from our custom cooling system with a latticed grill that was incorporated within the racking.  There was custom art displaying in their center arch and lead lights that would illuminate throughout the high reveal portions of the racking.

It was satisfying to see the end result and to learn how pleased the Santos family was with our work. They were a real pleasure and I love being a part of the enjoyment we all share in everything wine!  If you would like a FREE custom wine cellar consultation, call us at  800.377.3330

Where do these products come from? It all starts with an idea. Very often the idea is from customers who chat with our wine cellar design specialists, communicating products they’d like to see. Our Wine Enthusiast Design team then sees if the idea can come to fruition by working with our team of engineers and developing a prototype. An example of one such development is the Vino View, our now popular Wine Display Refrigerator.

Our customers described the appeal of showcasing the artful labels adorned on their wine bottles. The problem with most wine storage units is the wines are laid down on their side, so they can properly age. Though this is healthy storage for aging, bottles may be kept upright if you plan on drinking them soon. So why not show off their beautiful labels? We designed the VinoView with a special convex door to hold bottles of wine or for optional preservation systems. We enhanced it with special lighting and kept it small and affordable so it suits any sized home. A star product was born!

It is fascinating how many unique ideas we hear from customers every day. What products would you like our Wine Enthusiast Design Team to test out? Tell us what you’d like to see more of, and perhaps we can make that dream a reality. Leave a comment, and let us know!

Here’s why:

• Climate control: both temperature and humidity, is far superior to any other free-standing wine cellar made.
• They’re quiet, vibration free
• They block out all harmful light, and
• They last two to three times longer than most other units!

If you are looking for a 200+ bottle free-standing unit, EuroCave has two distinct lines.

So, a question I am asked quite often is, “What is the difference between Comfort and Performance?” Allow me to shed some light on that comparison.

Firstly, How Are They Alike?
All EuroCaves, including both the Performance & Comfort lines, have cooling and heating coils in all 3 walls which create an extremely tight temperature gradient. They both also have an airflow system in the back that allows air to be brought in from the outside. When that outside air mixes with the inside air, it creates condensation that sticks to the interior aluminum walls, maintaining the humidity. And, all Comforts and Performance units have a digital temperature control and read out.

Now, How Are They Different?
Digital Temperature Controls: While both have a digital temperature control and read- out, the Performance also comes standard with a hygrometer, alarm system and interior lighting located in its sophisticated control board. The alarm monitors the temperature, humidity, door, and charcoal filter.

Bottle Capacities: Both units can hold between 160-230 bottles depending on how the shelving is set up, and have the exact same dimensions. The Performance Series is also available in a smaller under-counter fingerprint that holds up to 54 bottles, and a larger built-in series that can hold up to 165 bottles.

Temperature-Zones & Built-In Capabilities: The Comfort unit only comes in a 1 temperature zone option and in a black finish. The Performance can be purchased in 1,2, or 3 temperature zone options, and can be ordered in custom finishes including Stainless Steel and in the Elite option, which encloses the unit in solid wood cabinetry. The Performance is available as a built-in cellar, as a front-vented unit to fit underneath a kitchen counter or build into cabinetry, while the Comfort is only available as a free-standing unit.

Ambient Temperatures: The Performance can be set at higher and lower temperatures than the Comfort, and can also withstand higher and lower surrounding ambient temperatures thanks to the Extreme Cooling upgrade that comes standard on the unit. The EuroCave wine cellar is the only wine cellar we would recommend for a garage, especially for those who live in the nation’s warmest or coldest climates.

Lava Rocks: The Performance also has a basket of lava rocks and interior fan that allow you to manipulate the humidity in the cabinet. The alarm will let you know when the humidity has gone too low. The Comfort will simply maintain the humidity.

So, Which Unit Is Right For You?
That will depend on a lot of factors. The bottom line is there is no right or wrong way to go. It all depends upon your wants and needs as a wine drinker and collector. Wine Enthusiast wine storage consultants are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help make your EuroCave buying decision a pleasurable one. Either way, as long as you are getting a Eurocave, you are getting our top-of-the-line wine cellar that you can be confident will store your wine properly for years to come.

Regardless if you are a novice just starting your collection, or an experienced wine connoisseur that has had thousands of bottles stored for decades, there are 4 basic reasons why anyone who enjoys having wine in their home should have some form of proper wine storage. We call them the 4 P’s:

PLEASURE – This is the main reason why any of us started getting interested in wine in the first place. Think of the wonderful aromas and bouquet that emanate from that ripe Napa Cabernet, or the layered complexity of that vintage Bordeaux that is just at its peak. Or the swirling of that delicate Pinot Noir in its glass that can be absolutely mesmerizing. The memories and emotions that are elicited by that certain wine that remind you of a wonderful experience. These pleasures are why wine drinkers are so enthralled and passionate about wine in general. Without the proper storage, these things may never occur. A bottle that should be at its peak can turn sour, resulting in huge disappointment.

PROTECTION – To be able to enjoy the security of knowing that your wines are stored in a climate (both temperature and humidity) controlled environment, so they can mature to their peak of perfection. The same way you would want to protect anything that needs to be for future enjoyment, wine is no different. If neglected and unprotected, the chances are it will lead to a disappointing experience instead of the memorable one you anticipate.

PROFIT – Just as you would take the proper steps to help your assets grow, the same is true for your “liquid” assets. In this day and age, selling older vintage wines, wine futures, etc. is a huge business. If you are in the business of selling off parts of your collection, buyers want to know that they are purchasing from a seller who has had their wine stored properly. Not only will your wines increase in monetary value, but in enjoyment value as well. The flavors, aromas, and color nuances are all significantly improved when stored in the proper climate.

PRIDE – Whether opening a single bottle for dinner or hosting a wine tasting for a group of friends, the display of your fine wine collection is a reflection of your good taste. Whether it is a small cabinet in your dining room, or a large custom cellar in your basement, your wine cellar is a part of your home. Your friends and family will marvel in seeing how you have incorporated your passion as part of your everyday life. When you take pride in your collection, and share that pride with those close to you, it makes for memorable occasions which is what the enjoyment of wine is all about.

If you have any questions about putting a wine cellar in your home, feel free to contact our wine storage consultants at 800.377.3330