Another Storage Conundrum

[hotwine]

Agree, they are usually expensive. But you can sometimes find a used one in the classified ads of newspapers. Our local paper carried such an ad only yesterday, for a unit that will hold 168 bottles, for only $200. There was no mention of the brand or condition.
I think I would lean toward a dorm-style refrigerator, if I were in your shoes. Best Buy today is listing one from Sanyo for $74.99 that's a 1.7 cu ft, or a 2.5 cu ft for $149.99. We use one of the larger types for what I call our "ready whites" - a small stock of Rieslings, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc that have been moved from the cellar to the house, to be ready at the right temperature for serving with chicken, pasta and seafood dishes. We don't use that for long-term storage, just for short-term: it would be unusual for a given bottle to remain there for even a couple of weeks.

Otherwise, suggest you simply keep your collection in a closet in your apartment. That will do just fine, until you can hang out your shingle and start making those big bucks.

Good luck.
Gil