There are likely many Japanese wine fans for whom coffee is an indispensable part of daily life.
Although the information is a bit old, a unique article titled "Recommended Wines to Choose Based on Coffee Flavors!" previously attracted attention on the web edition of the American weekly magazine Newsweek, under the title "What Wine Goes with Your Coffee Order?".
Here, based on that content, we will share how to choose a wine that suits your taste, considered from the type of coffee you usually drink.
Put aside the complicated details this time and read it to take a little breather.
Discovering Wine You Love from Coffee
The person who selected wines based on several coffee types is Joe Fattorini (hereafter Mr. Fattorini), a wine expert and former wine merchant.
The drinks selected by Mr. Fattorini are summarized below.
- Americano
- Cappuccino / Café Latte / Café au Lait
- Mocha
- Espresso / Cortado / Macchiato
Let us look at each one.
Americano
An Americano, which I personally enjoy for its delicate flavor.
According to Mr. Fattorini, "People who like Americanos should be able to enjoy Sauvignon Blanc."
The reason seems to be that body, fruitiness, and acidity are balanced in a moderate way.
He also conveyed along the lines of, "If you prefer red, Merlot is recommended. Medium-bodied, juicy fruitiness, and tannins that aren't overly dry."
Cappuccino / Café Latte / Café au Lait
"Cappuccino, café latte, and café au lait," popular not only for their mellow flavor but also for their charming appearance.
"People seeking milky coffee do so because milk tempers the bitterness of coffee and softens the flavor," says Mr. Fattorini.
He also mentions that such people tend to have more taste buds (meaning they may be sensitive to taste).
Under such circumstances, the wine chosen by Mr. Fattorini was "Pinot Grigio."
The reasons are said to be its light, soft taste, and that it carries the softness of pears and almonds rather than punchy apples.
As for red wine, he selected Gamay from Beaujolais, concluding along the lines of, "I also want you to try Pinot Noir. Tannins are light and soft, and it will surely delight sensitive tasters."
Mocha
Mocha, which gently wraps both mind and body.
"If you like sweet coffee, embrace it. If you're looking for sweet flavors, you may have been told to enjoy dry, bold, full-bodied styles," says Mr. Fattorini.
He continues, "Around the 18th and 19th centuries, sweet wine was commonly consumed. Some famous figures of the era, such as Napoleon, Winston Churchill, and Queen Victoria, enjoyed it as well."
In short, wines characterized by a touch of sweetness would be ideal for mocha lovers.
So, the wine selected was White Zinfandel.
With its sweetness, fruitiness, and freshness, it feels like a wine you would want to drink on a holiday afternoon, though Mr. Fattorini himself says he would like to enjoy an off-dry Riesling.
He also recommended Gewürztraminer, which is characterized by a slight dryness and low acidity.
Espresso / Cortado / Macchiato
"Espresso, cortado, and macchiato," with their dark, deep hue and mature ambiance.
Those who enjoy drinking these might appreciate high-end wines, Mr. Fattorini explains.
"If you like these coffees, you will likely enjoy the world's most expensive wines. But if there's a problem, it's that you might quickly go bankrupt," he says.
The selected wines are heavily oaked wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chianti Classico.
These are said to appeal to espresso lovers.
Additionally, Mr. Fattorini suggested that Chardonnay, Syrah, or Malbec might also be good choices.
Exploring Preferences from the Coffee You Usually Drink
Setting aside the debate over whether the suggestions introduced here are right or wrong, exploring wines you might like based on the food and beverages you usually prefer is certainly a valid approach.
Quite a while ago, someone even mentioned that the reason many Japanese people prefer white wine is because "they are accustomed to the taste of sake."
If you usually enjoy coffee, why not use this article as a reference?
Reference
Newsweek "What Wine Goes with Your Coffee Order?"
https://www.newsweek.com/what-wine-goes-your-coffee-order-628571