To be honest, we don’t buy into the idea that your Starbucks order says anything about your personality. Tastes change, and you might order a different drink depending on the weather, or your mood, or when you’re trying to impress a cute barista.
Here are 9 wines for coffee drinkers based on your Starbucks order. But if you tend to get the same kind of drink again and again, it can tell you something about your palette.
And this can be incredibly helpful if you know your Starbucks order by heart, but tend to feel lost while contemplating a wine menu. Since coffee and wine share several similarities, your afternoon pick-me-up can actually help you predict the kind of wine you will like. For instance, do you take your coffee black? Do you like to get an extra pump of vanilla? Do you think coffee is disgusting? Whether you like coffee, tea, or an icy cool Refresher, here’s 9 wine recommendations for coffee drinkers based on your Starbucks order.
Where Vino & Espresso Meet
If you’re thinking, “Hold up. How are coffee and wine similar?” Allow us to explain. Different types of coffee have different flavors and overall vibes, just like wine. Experts categorize both coffee and wine by their taste, body, and acidity.Taste
Taste, or flavor notes – which we perceive with our senses of taste and smell – can range from fruity to earthy to smoky.Body
Body refers to how the beverage feels in your mouth. Wines are referred to as either “light-bodied” or “full-bodied,” depending on their level of viscosity, which usually correlates to their ABV. Similarly, straight black coffee feels different in your mouth than a creamy, frothy cappuccino.Acidity
Some wines have more acidity, and will be described as “zippy” or “zingy.” Depending on the level of acidity in coffee, a cup of joe can be crisp, or rich, or slightly tart and sweet. If you like a particular flavor or element in coffee (or a fun coffee drink), you’re probably going to like that same element in wine.
Choosing a Wine Based on Your Favorite Drink
Cold brew
If cold brew is your go-to, you’re likely to enjoy a similarly bold and smooth wine like Argentinian Malbec. Full-bodied with dark fruit notes, Malbec is a good analog to the strong, straightforward flavors in black coffee. If you prefer an iced coffee with more acidity, like an iced blonde roast, try an Old World red wine with more delicate flavors, like a Pinot Noir from Burgundy.
Iced Vanilla Latte
If you prefer a creamier drink with notes of vanilla, you will probably enjoy a silky wine with similar flavors. The best wines for these coffee drinkers would be an Australian Shiraz with soft tannins and notes of dark fruit and vanilla. You may also enjoy a creamy oak-aged Chardonnay with notes of apple, butter, and vanilla.
Iced Caramel Macchiato
Caramel lovers should try an oak-aged red wine. Oak aging tends to impart warm notes of vanilla, cocoa, and caramel. Try a Spanish Rioja made with Tempranillo grapes. You might also enjoy a sweeter dessert wine like tawny port or Madeira.
Iced Chai Latte
Chai tea has spicy aromas of cardamom, cinnamon, and black pepper, so keep an eye out for a red wine with similar notes of spice. Try a Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, or an Italian red wine made with Nebbiolo grapes.
Mocha Frappuccino
If you love a creamy, chocolaty frap, odds are you’re going to like a medium- to full-bodied red with notes of chocolate. Try a Merlot or Syrah. Both of these wines have fruity notes and a hint of chocolate.
Strawberry Açai Refresher
This cool, refreshing drink has bright fruity flavors and a hint of bitterness from açaí berries. If this is your drink of choice, try a light red wine like Grenache, with notes of stewed strawberries, and grilled plums, or Lambrusco, a sparkling red wine with notes of strawberries and hibiscus. You might also like Sauvignon Blanc, a light white wine with notes of passionfruit.
Very Berry Hibiscus Lemonade Refresher
If you love this bright and citrusy Refresher, try a light red wine like Zweigelt. Don’t be intimidated by the name. Zweigelt (pronounced zz-why-GELT) is a popular Austrian red wine with slightly tart, bright notes of raspberry and cherry. You may also like an aromatic white wine like Gewürztraminer, with notes of grapefruit and ginger.
Iced Matcha Green Tea Latte
Matcha is popular for a reason: It’s high in antioxidants and boasts a number of health benefits. However, it can be an acquired taste. If you love this green drink, you’ll probably also love a white wine with a hint of “green” flavors, like Sauvignon blanc or Grüner Veltliner.
