We got our hands on one to test. You can see what we thought in our full review or read on for the specs and pricing. The banks are black cabinets, with anti-UV glass doors to block any rays that might affect the stored wine. The bottles rest on slatted beech wood shelves and the interior is lit with LED lights that won’t alter the temperature of the cabinet. There are two models. The smaller is the HWS42GDAU1, a 112L/ 42 bottle cabinet, with five shelves, which you can buy from AO.com for £749. It’s 82cm high, which is about the same height as an under-counter fridge. There’s also the HWS77GDAU1, the larger model. It has a capacity of 192L/ 77 bottles over seven shelves and is 127cm (roughly the height of a tallboy). It costs £849 and is also available from AO.com.
The cabinets use natural airflow for humidity control, always keeping the interior in the optimum range of between 50 and 70% humidity. They also feature technology to protect the wine from external vibrations. The wine banks feature dual zones: two sections with separate climate control so you can store both red and white wine and keep your bottles at the optimum temperature. The temperature in each zone can be independently set between 5-20° C. One of the connected features allows the zone temperatures to be managed remotely, via the app.
The app will advise on optimum storage conditions based on the types of wines in the cabinet or allow you to choose from pre-set programmes. Like all smart Haier, Candy and Hoover appliances, the wine banks are connected via Haier’s new hOn app. Much of the wine banks’ smart functionality is focused on wine knowledge and enjoyment. Haier has partnered with online wine specialist and retailer Vivino, so you can identify and catalogue your wines by scanning the bottle’s label. The app can also suggest ideal food pairings for the wines you have and suggest further wines you might enjoy, based on your profile. The wine banks are very quiet, running at just 37db (A). They also have switchable doors, which can open to the left or right, depending on your kitchen layout. The doors are lockable and have touch controls. With so many good, reasonably priced wines available now, this seems like a great product for someone who wants to take their interest in wine to the next level or to start collecting. Not only does it provide a dedicated space to keep wine at its best but the app will provide added value in terms of expanding wine knowledge and getting the most from your wine. Buy the 42 bottle HWS42GDAU1 or the 77 bottle HWS77GDAU1 from AO.com. Interested in Haier’s other cooling tech? Read our review of the Haier Cube HTF-456 DM6 fridge freezer. Emma is Home Tech Editor at Tech Advisor. She covers everything from kitchen appliances to smart home devices, from floor care to personal care to air care technology. She’s particularly interested in environmentally conscious brands and products that save people time and money.
