The Auswine Forum

I am seeking some expert advice from fellow Forumites - I recently bought a 34 bottle Mistral Wine Cooler and am happy with it as far as the temperature range is concerned. On the "normal" setting it varies by up to 1 degree during very hot days, when our air-conditioning is not switched on.

However, I can not raise the humidity above 50. Usual range is between 40-50. I placed a try containing a wet towel, including extra water at varying levels inside the fridge; to no avail. That was a recommendation made elswhere.

Most of the bottles are for early drinking and won't last beyond six months, a few could be there for a year or more.

Would a humidity level in the low to mid 40's present a problem under those circumstances?

I realise the Mistral its a wine "cooler" only, not a storage facility and at $236 one can't ask for too much. I manage to squeeze another 8-9 'stickies' in there in addition to the 33, one space taken up by the water container.

Before committing myself to another unit, I would appreciate some advance on the humidity matter.

TIA & best wishes for the New Year, may it be TCA free.
Ray

For short term storage of up to the one year you mention, (lack of) humidity won't be a big problem. The biggest risk with 'dry' storage is a dried out cork leading to a less than perfect seal, something which is unlikely to eventuate in such a short period of time. What you have will keep the wine at a reasonably stable temperature for the time you keep it, and it'll be at the right temperature for consumption within an hour or two of removal from the fridge, which is even more important in this case For (much) longer term storage, consider something else...the best (very) old bottles I've had have been from high humidity cellars.