NewAir AW-211ED Wine Cooler Combines Form and Function in One Unit!

Most people know two facts about wine: that certain wines must be aged to achieve peak quality and that wine must be stored at the correct manner in order to maintain and fully enjoy its aroma and bouquet. However, few can actually understand the science behind wine aging and thus underestimate the importance of proper storage techniques.

Because wine is a complex balance of amino acids, phenols, carbohydrates, and other chemical compounds, chemical reactions between these compounds can be affected by environmental changes. Seeing as the speed of a chemical reaction increases with temperatures, wine will hardly age if stored at or below 50°F. However, once a bottle of wine is stored at room temperature, years of aging will be accelerated in just months or even weeks. As such, one could say that temperature stability is the mainstay of wine storage.

For the most part, most wines available today are of the “ready-to-drink” variety, but these can be safely stored for a few years by following these conditions:

- Away from sunlight
- At temperatures between 40° F and 65°F, depending on the type of wine
- Humidity levels greater than 50%

If wine is stored outside of these limits, it will be subject to spoilage or premature aging. With that said, proper wine storage is imperative. While the first two of the above conditions can be easily met by the average wine drinker, the last one should be met with some type of cellar, wine cabinet, or wine cooler. Most people don’t have the luxury of building home cellars, so that’s when a wine cooler comes in.

There are many different models and types of wine coolers available, but when choosing one that will best suit your needs, first determine how many bottles you will be chilling at once, then add more capacity to allow for a growing collection. Secondly, figure out what types of wine you will be storing. If you only drink Chardonnay, a wine cooler with a single temperature zone will do. However, if you enjoy both reds and whites, you’ll need a wine refrigerator with at least 2 zones.

With that said, our product team has been busy testing out some of the newest wine coolers on the market today. Some of the best known wine cooler manufacturers are Franklin Chef, Avanti, and Amcor, but there’s another contender on the wine cooler market: NewAir. Primarily known for their line of portable air conditioners, NewAir’s new wine coolers are surprisingly affordable, yet feature several bonuses that you’ll usually find in pricier units. We tested the new NewAir AW-211ED wine cooler and here’s what we thought:

First Impressions:
The NewAir AW-211ED was definitely esthetically pleasing and housed in a sleek, black cabinet with stainless steel door. It’s surprisingly compact given its large bottle capacity, and comes with an easy-to-control digital panel with LED light for precise temperature settings. The racks within the cooler are made out of heavy-duty, yet modern-looking chrome, and there was even an internal LED light that increased visibility and provided a nice glow.

Bottle Capacity:
Despite its tower design and space-saving body, the NewAir AW-211ED had a large capacity and was able to hold 21 bottles of our favorite vintages. This was more than enough for us home wine drinkers.

Thermoelectric Technology :
There are generally two types of wine cooling technology out there: compressor and thermoelectric. Compressors seem to be a bit dated, as most people nowadays are looking to thermoelectric coolers. Because thermoelectric wine coolers do not have many moving parts, they do not vibrate and are quiet. Furthermore, because thermoelectric wine coolers such as the NewAir AW-211ED are better at storing and aging wine because they cause less sedimentation that can occur with vibration.

Dual Zone Chambers:
As mentioned, if you’re storing more than one type of wine, you’ll need a wine cooler with at least two temperatures. Dual temperature wine coolers have upper and lower cabinets that are independently refrigerated chambers with separate temperature control capabilities. The NewAir AW-211ED utilized dual zones and allowed us to chill our bottles of Cabernet and Riesling at once.

We were really impressed with the NewAir AW-211ED thermoelectric wine cooler. Not only did it perform as well as advertised, it was also priced at less than $200, making it a steal.

NewAir AW-210ED Wine Cooler: An Affordable Way to Store Your Wine

Wine can conjure up images of class and elegance, and the key to enjoying wine to its fullest is proper wine etiquette. Whether it’s the temperature of the wine, age of the wine, or foods it’s served with, every small detail counts.

One of the most important steps you can take to truly enjoy a bottle of wine’s true aroma is proper storage. As one of the basic tenets of wine etiquette, wine storage is imperative due to the chemistry that gets altered with environmental or temperature changes. Storing it at a temperature that is too cold will cause it to lose its flavor notes while extremely warm temperatures will accelerate the wine’s aging process. Furthermore, temperature fluctuations can either enhance the bouquet of certain types of wine or disguise its defects.

Generally speaking, red wine is best served between 62-65°F, while white wine should be appreciated when it is between 58-62°F. Also, sparkling wine and champagne should best be served at 45°F. As such, one of the best ways to ensure proper wine storage temperature is via a home cellar, but this may be impossible for even the most serious oenophile due to cost or space constraints. Therefore, wine coolers and refrigerators are a cost-effective way to serve your finest vintages.

There are several types and models of wine coolers available depending on cost, needs, and desires, but when choosing a wine cooler, determine how many bottles of wine you intend to chill, then add on more capacity to allow for a growing collection. Next, figure out what type of wine you will be storing. If you have only reds or whites, a wine refrigerator with only one chamber will be sufficient, but if you need to store both types, a 2-temperature zone wine refrigerator is absolutely essential.

To take the guesswork out of choosing a wine cooler, our product team has been testing a number of popular brands and models. Avanti, Amcor, and Franklin Chef are just some of the most well-know wine cooler manufacturers, but NewAir, a company most known for its portable air conditioners and swamp coolers, has also developed their own line of affordable, feature-rich wine coolers. We were fortunate enough to be test the new AW-210ED wine cooler and here are our findings:

Inital Impression:
When we first received the NewAir AW-210ED, we were definitely impressed with its sleek, hi-tech styling. The glass door was large and durable, while the 7 slide out shelves and racks within the unit were chrome plated. The digital control panel was extremely user-friendly, and the interior of the wine cooler even came equipped with a soft blue LED light that increased visibility and provided a nice glow. Furthermore, the AW-210ED’s upright tower design helped save space. In fact, the NewAir AW-210ED fit nicely into the corner of our office and was non-obtrusive.

Bottle Capacity:
As mentioned above, one of the first things you should keep in mind when choosing a wine cooler is the bottle capacity. A wine cooler can hold as little as six bottles to some units which can hold up to 500. The NewAir AW-210ED wine cooler had a 21-bottle capacity which was more than enough space for us budding connoisseurs.

Thermoelectric Technology:
There are primarily two types of wine cooling technologies: compressor and thermoelectric. Most people prefer thermoelectric units because they do not have many moving parts and are very quiet. Also, thermoelectric technology is better at preserving and aging wine because it lessens sedimentation that can occur with vibration. The NewAir AW-210ED was a thermoelectric wine cooler that provided silent, vibration-free operation.

Dual Chambers:
Also as mentioned above, having a wine cooler with at least two temperature zones is important if you’re storing more than one type of wine. A wine cooler with dual temperature zones means that the cabinet’s upper and lower zones are specialized, independently refrigerated chambers with separate temperature control capabilities. The NewAir AW-210ED wine cooler had two zones which allowed us chill our favorite bottles of merlot and chardonnay at once.

Overall, at less than $250, the NewAir AW-210ED was not only more affordable than some of the other wine coolers we tested, it also offered many of the same features we found in pricier models.

How to Throw a Great Outdoor Party

With springtime now upon us, parties may start moving from the living room to the backyard, and whether you’re hosting an informal barbecue with the neighborhood or plan on throwing a stylish starlit cocktail party, follow these easy tips to ensure a good warm-weather time will be had by all.

Setting Up
To make plating and cleaning easier, use disposable utensils and plates. To keep bugs from crashing your party, use an upended wire-mesh colander on top of fruits and vegetables, and loaf pans for stacked hamburger buns.

Creating Ambiance
Decorating for your backyard party can be as simple or as elaborate as you’d like. Summer dinners outdoors can become elegant affairs with a little help from inexpensive decorative items such as hanging lanterns or jelly jars, and don’t forget lighting. If you don’t wish to purchase separate light for your occasion, many local rental centers can provide with you these and also give you advice for your particular lighting needs.

Keep Your Guests Comfortable
If you live in an especially hot climate, even outdoor parties can have your guests sweltering. To keep everyone comfortable, pay attention to the weather. If you live in a dry, arid climate, outdoor misting fans such as the Windchaser WC163 are a great way to stay cool. On the other hand, if the outside temperature tends to dip in the later hours, patio heaters not only add a touch of class to a drab yard, but keep your guests nice and cozy as well.

Setting the Table
Decorating your outdoor dining table doesn’t have to be a chore. For simple, yet sophisticated centerpieces, place fresh fruit and flowers on small gift boxes covered in white gift wrapping; use brightly colored wrapping paper and pinking shears to create an inexpensive, yet chic table runner (and secure with double-sided tape); use cupcake foils to make elegant, yet disposable votive holders; and tie down the tablecloth and runner with twine to prevent them from blowing away in the wind.

Food
If you decide to offer food at your party, have as much prepared as possible before the soiree begins. If you are planning to barbecue, have it almost ready before your guests arrive, or even opt for quick-cooking food such as hamburgers or hot dogs. An even better idea is to set up a buffet table with a variety of foods so that guests can choose the different items they want.

Drinks
Beverages are an absolutely crucial part of a successful outdoor party, and when it comes to party drinks, a keg of beer is always welcome. Cocktails are another great idea, but to keep things simple, decide on two or three simple cocktails such as martinis or margaritas (from a mix to make it even more effortless) and allow your guests to choose which they’d like to imbibe. Not only does this save you money on ingredients, but time as well.

Also, when it comes to outdoor party drinks, make sure you have plenty of ice on hand and don’t rely on your refrigerator’s freezer! Either purchase ice from the grocery store and keep it in a cooler or invest in a portable ice maker such as the NewAir AI-100S. Relatively inexpensive and portable, this icemaker has the ability to produce as much as 28 pounds of ice cubes in as little as 15 minutes – making it the perfect addition to any party!

How to Make Your Holiday Party Stress-Free

Raise your glass and toast the holidays! November and December signify the holiday entertaining season, and for any successful gathering, creating a festive atmosphere with the right décor, a gourmet spread, and the right drinks is absolutely imperative.

Without a doubt, one of the most important elements of a holiday party is the bar. To save yourself some time and to prevent headaches, instead of having one large bar with a full setup, decide on a few drinks to entice your guests, such as a traditional holiday brew, a cocktail of the evening, a choice or red or white wine, and perhaps even a keg of ale or stout to even out the beverage selection. Here are a few holiday drink suggestions:

Hot
Mulled Cider: "Mulled" means heated and spiced, and is a technique used with wine and cider. Make this drink extra soothing by adding cinnamon, lemon, and fresh nutmeg to the mix.

Cold
Martinis: These are always a crowd favorite. To add a holiday twist to the ubiuitous gin and vermouth combo, try using one part vodka, one part flavored liqueur (such as Apple Schnapps), and one part fruit juice.

Sparkling Wines: Refreshing and festive, sparkling wines such as Roederer Estate Non-Vintage Brut Anderson Valley or Mionetto Prosecco di Valdobbiadene, can be made even more special with a splash of Chambord and cranberry juice.

Of course, when deciding on your chilled cocktail choices, don’t overlook the importance of ice! Instead of running to the store every hour for more ice, consider purchasing a portable ice maker like the Newair AI-210SS. These relatively inexpensive units can be a lifesaver, as they can produce ice in as little as six minutes and in different sizes. Also, because they do not need to be connected to a water source or drainage line, they can be brought to any holiday gathering.

How to Properly Chill Wine

Forget the following old adage: "refrigerate all white wines and drink red wines at current room temperature."

Contrary to this popular belief, because wine is a perishable food item, storing it and consuming it at the proper temperature is imperative. Americans often make the mistake of serving their red wines too hot and their cold wines too cold. Wine that is too cold will cause it to lose its flavor notes; and when wine is too hot, it will speed up the aging of the wine, and give it a strong, overpowering alcohol taste.

One of the primary reasons people drink wine is because of its aroma. Vapors are created as wine warms up; therefore, for this process to take place, wine must be a few degrees below its ideal drinking temperature. In order to properly chill wine, you need to be aware of its ideal drinking temperature. For bright, white wines such as Asti Spumanti, 48-52 degrees is ideal. Sparkling wines such as champagne should be at about 50-55 degrees; rich white wines like Chardonnay should be at about 58-62 degrees, and light red wines like Chianti should be between 60-65 degrees.

Generally, as a rule of thumb, never serve or store wine above 70 degrees. Chilling wine in a refrigerator is also a bad idea, as the typical refrigerator is in the 30s-40s - temperatures too low even for most white wines.

Thankfully, wine coolers can help keep your wine at the ideal temperature, and they come in either table top units that quickly chill a single bottle (better suited for warmer climates), or larger, refrigerator-style units such as the Sunpentown WC-28D, which can store several bottles of wine at once at selected temperatures with a built-in thermostat. These are great for those who do not have wine cellars, but wish to replicate a wine cellar's temperature and humidity conditions.

Overall, in order to enjoy a bottle of wine, its ideal temperature will depend on its amount of alcohol, tannin, and fruit.

Have Some Fun This Winter - Heat Your Home With Vodka

In addition to cleaning glasses and killing weeds, vodka can apparently also be used to heat your entire home.

Larry Weingarten, a general contractor and water heater expert from Salinas, California, did just that. Prior to 2000, Weingarten had lived in an energy-efficient home where he utilized solar water heating and insulation. However, when he began building his new home on a 131 acre property, he decided to take energy efficiency to the next level: to construct and maintain a home that was truly cost effective with no electric bills and minimal heating costs.

Though Weingarten's home may not seem much more than a wood-shingled rural cabin, he has managed to save money by building a three story house aimed at functionality. He never has to paint his house because he has installed HardiShake shingles to the sides of his dwelling instead of the roof - saving him an estimated $14,000.00 - $18,000 every ten years. His deck is made from a combination of reclaimed wood and plastic which does not splinter or crack, and the banisters in the stairways are composed of steel pipes.

However, Weingarten has saved the most money through his inventive power and heating systems. Because he uses solar panels on the roof and a propane stove in the kitchen, he has no electric bills. His one utility expense is the meager $43 he spends on propane and gas in order to power his water heater, stove, refrigerator, clothes dryer; and in order to pay for the gasoline used to power his backup generator when there is not enough sunshine (not uncommon in Northern California). He also admits to using a wood-burning stove in the winter to supplement his heating system. Other than the relatively minor expenses mentioned above, the solar-generated heat and wood he uses for his stove costs him nothing.

To heat his house, Weingarten uses a combination of solar energy with radiant heating and gravity circulation. A freezeproof mixture of vodka and water is circulated in the basement through solar panels on the roof, as Weingarten claims the distilled beverage is more efficient and energy efficient than regular anti-freeze. With 8 inch thick walls and insulated panels, the heat stays in his home.

While the average person should not attempt to power and heat his home using the above methods, Weingarten's dedicated (although far-fetched) efforts at conserving energy is to be admired.