Worthy wine chillers

The top models provide temperature consistency and are easy to use

Sales of wine chillers, also known as wine cellars, wine refrigerators, or wine coolers, have been growing as Americans drink more vino. We tested 13 undercounter and seven freestanding models with capacities ranging from 28 to 60 standard bottles.

Despite their small size-undercounter wine chillers are generally 34 inches high by 24 inches wide; freestanding models are narrower-some cost about as much as a full-sized fridge. Most excelled at maintaining uniform temperatures, essential for keeping your favorite tipples in tip-top condition. (Read our coverage of wine, including reviews of some of the most popular varietals.)

More companies are producing two-zone wine chillers, which offer greater flexibility in storing sparkling, white, rosé, and red wines at different temperatures. (Single-compartment models count on colder air settling to the bottom of the unit to provide various temperature zones.)

"You wouldn't buy an antique car and leave it out in the driveway," notes Gary Vaynerchuk, of the Wine Library, one of the biggest online wine retailers in the country. "People are investing more and more money in wine and having the ability to store that wine properly is massively important."

Read How to choose to find out what to pay attention to when shopping for a wine chiller.