With so many alternatives available, choosing the perfect wine can be a daunting task. Our coffee tastes, on the other hand, seem to come about spontaneously. The approach can be simplified by making a connection between our coffee preferences and wine tastes. Like wines, different coffees have distinctive tastes. If you like your coffee mild, you could enjoy a dry, crisp wine, whereas those of you who like your coffee strong and flavorful might enjoy a full-bodied wine. When venturing into the realm of wine, a close examination of our coffee preferences can serve as a useful practical guide to assist us make selections that match with our developed taste preferences.
Sonal C Holland, India’s only Master of Wine recently discussed how one's coffee preferences might serve as a foundation for wine choices. Here's to know.
For Coffee lovers without any milk or sugar: If you like your coffee black, without milk or sugar, you might enjoy the complexity of a Sangiovese-based dry Italian red wine. This flavour profile is typical of Tuscan wines like Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino. They share a comparable richness and strength, making them a good option for those who like wine and coffee for their undiluted flavours. The shared essence of richness and earthy notes makes this pairing a harmonious match for your palate.
For coffee lovers with high-roasted aromatics of an espresso: A dry red wine from Bordeaux's Medoc area can be a great match for connoisseurs of highly roasted espresso. Espresso's rich roasted aromas have similarities to the robust personality of Medoc wines. These wines, typically crafted with Cabernet Sauvignon, are ideal for those who find equal pleasure in the powerful, full-bodied sensation and complex flavours of both coffee and wine. With this blend, you get the best of both worlds creating a sensory delight for the palate.
Who prefer coffee with a little bit of milk: Coffee drinkers who like their beverage with a splash of milk typically find that wines like Merlot and Zinfandel suit their beverage of choice. Like the soothing addition of milk to coffee, these wines have a soft and approachable personality. Merlot has a soft, fruity flavour, whereas Zinfandel has a slightly spicy undertone. Because of their balance of sweetness and mildness, they pair well with each other and are a treat for wine and coffee connoisseurs alike.
Who prefers coffee with sugar: Wines like Indian Chenin Blanc, Californian Moscato, or German Riesling may go well with coffee drinkers who add sugar to their coffee. There is a range of sweetness in these wines, like coffee with extra sugar. Chenin Blanc is slightly sweet, while Moscato and Riesling are between semi-sweet and sweet, going well with a mouth that is already sweet. The similarity lies in their ability to satisfy the need for a little sweetness.