Can You Turn a Wine Fridge into a Cheese Cave?

Cheese cave image from pexels.com

A charcuterie board with a selection of cheeses served with ample amounts of wine is the perfect mix for just about any occasion. It is no surprise that many people collect cheese and have even embraced the hobby of cheese making. Cheese collecting presents another storage conundrum ---- how do you store and age all that cheese? One method of cheese storage that has become popular amongst cheese enthusiasts is to use a wine fridge. Read on to find out how.

Wine and cheese mature within the same temperature range, between 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Within this ideal temperature range, the fat and protein of the milk break down to form the best flavors. Like wine, cheese stored in warmer temperatures will age rapidly and begin to spoil. It is important to note that each type of cheese has its ideal temperature range. Cheese hobbyists prefer wine fridges with digital temperature control panels so that it is easy to adjust the storage temperature as needed.

It may seem like common sense to buy the largest wine fridge possible, but it could create a problem. The larger the size of the wine cooler, the more difficult it is to control the humidity. Cheese collectors favor wine fridges that store 2-3 bottles per shelf as this tends to be the perfect size for a 4–5-pound wheel of cheese.

The shelving inside wine coolers is designed specifically for the storage of bottles. To accommodate cheese, some creativity is needed. One option is to select a wine refrigerator with relatively flat shelves. Another alternative is to select a wine fridge with adjustable or removable shelving that can be replaced with homemade shelving fashioned from cooling racks, cutting boards, or wood. Beverage coolers may also prove useful for cheese collectors as some have flat shelving and similar temperature controls as wine coolers.

Do you need a dual-zone or single-zone wine cooler for your cheese collection? It is important to note that you should not store wine and cheese within the same refrigerator as odorous cheeses could potentially permeate the cork of the wine and alter its taste. Cheese with certain mold cultures, like blue cheeses, should be stored in their own designated fridge or zone because the microorganisms can be invasive and quickly spread throughout the fridge. A dual-zone wine fridge may prove useful for those who want to age more than one kind of cheese or for those who want to store both wine and cheese.

With digital temperature control capabilities and the appropriate temperature range, a wine cooler can easily be converted into the ideal cheese cave. Do you have questions about wine coolers? Contact us today with our Contact Form.