Whether you are a wine collector or just person who loves an occasional glass with dinner, you must know that proper storage is key to keeping a great wine. You could invest in a temperature-controlled wine cellar, but this can be prohibitively expensive. An excellent alternative to a full blown wine cellar is what is knows as a wine storage unit, or wine refrigerator.

These handy appliances can hold between a dozen bottles of your best stuff, all the way up to four cases. If you are an avid wine collector, you can find a wine storage unit that can accommodate hundreds of bottles of wine. You can find wine storage units of this size at restraints and wine bars. A wine storage unit is designed to maintain a constant and optimal temperature of about 55 degrees F. This keeps the wine exactly where it needs to be to maintain it’s flavor and age with grace.

Depending on the number of bottles you plan to store, you can find a wine storage unit ranging from $300 for a small unit to $600 for a unit the size of a dishwasher. Larger units hold more wine and of course cost much more. For the really big professional models, it’s probably cheaper just to dig a wine cellar. When shopping for a wine storage unit, look for these features:

• Nearly all units have a glass door; It’s best to get a unit with a door that locks to keep your wine safe.
• Look for a unit with room for large and odd sized bottles. Most wine comes in standard sized bottles, but champagne and other specialty wines can be a problem.
• Look for removable shelves so you can change the units configuration to suit your needs