What Your Favorite Type Of Coffee Really Says About Your Taste In Wine
Discovering your perfect style of coffee takes time. According to Fine Dining Lovers, 23 different types of coffee preparations exist, and each style brings out different flavor notes from the coffee beans. You have most likely sampled the tried-and-true staples like cappuccinos or flat whites, but certain drinks, like the café con hielo or café bombón don't show up readily at cafes and take a knowledgeable barista to serve them up just right.
We gravitate towards specific coffee preparation styles for good reason. According to Food Research International, preparation style highlights flavor notes that change radically, depending on the chemical, biological, and physical transformations the coffee saw as it grew, the coffee cherry maturity, where it grew, how the roasting company produced and processed each bean, and what style of coffee we order. As you refine your palate by finding your favorite coffees, you can translate this information to other drinks. According to Matt Woodburn-Simmonds, Head Sommelier and co-founder of Home Coffee Expert, your favorite types of coffee reflect your preferred wines.
Wines for lovers of dark coffee
If you love espressos, macchiatos, or cortados, you need to look for a bold wine that compares to the rich flavors of these coffees. "Espresso drinkers generally look for bold flavors and acidity," Woodburn-Simmonds said. "This style of coffee favors the more savory and bitter notes of darker roasts. So, wines that are equally bold in flavor would suit espresso lovers. Something more savory than fruity, with a good hit of tannins and acidity." Woodburn-Simmonds recommends a Reserva or Gran Reserva Rioja, Cabernet Sauvignon, Argentinian Malbec, or an Oaked Chardonnay for anyone who gravitates towards espresso-forward drinks.
If you love the strong flavor of espresso but prefer a lighter cup of coffee, including preparations like an Americano, pour-over, AeroPress, or French press, you need to seek a fruitier wine. "A longer coffee shows more of the coffee bean's complexity, the delicate balance between the acidity and fruit, and the bold profile of the bean," Woodburn-Simmonds explained. "The aim is to minimize the bitterness that comes from very dark roasted beans or from over-extracted coffee. Try wines where fruit is the more prominent feature of the flavor profile, where less oak is used and the tannins are softer." If you love these styles of black coffee, try a New World Shiraz, Merlot, Albarino, or a Dry Riesling.
Wines for those of us who love a latte
If you can't live without cappuccinos or lattes, you have a ton of wines available that can satisfy any craving. "Milk softens the harsher notes of the coffee and adds a subtle sweetness that can bring out the fruity and chocolatey flavors of the bean," Woodburn-Simmonds said. "Perhaps an oversimplification, but lovers of milky coffee can find their palates overwhelmed by big wines. So, instead look for lighter, more delicate styles." For lovers of coffees made with frothed milk, Woodburn-Simmonds recommends a bottle of Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, Light Rose, or French Sauvignon Blanc.
If you love sweet mochas, don't feel left out. "Mocha is how I first got into coffee in my hungover youth and I still consider it an indulgent treat," Woodburn-Simmonds continued. "Some of these wines are actually sweet, others just have a lower acidity giving the feeling of sweetness. The latter are delightful spicy food pairings as well as a joy to drink on their own." For coffee lovers with a sweet tooth, make sure to try a Tokaji, Off-Dry Riesling, Gewurztraminer, or an Alsace Pinot Gris. With a bit of tasting and time, anyone can find their perfect wine, especially if they have a coffee preparation preference. Next time you need to select a wine for an occasion, give this method a shot.