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. That's why we've compiled these 11 wines based on your fall coffee order.
If you tend to get the same kind of drink again and again, it can tell you something about your palate. 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’re the first in line for a Pumpkin Spice Latte, or you prefer a simple Americano, or you skip the java altogether and order a hot cider or tea, keep scrolling for 11 wines based on your fall coffee 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.
Wines for Your Fall Drink Order
1. Black Coffee or Americano
If a simple dark roast or Caffè Americano 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 like your coffee with more acidity – Blonde Roast anyone? – try an Old World red wine with more delicate flavors, like a Pinot Noir from Burgundy.
2. Pumpkin Spice Latte
Fun fact: A Pumpkin Spice Latte doesn’t actually contain pumpkin. So, if you eagerly await a PSL all year long, you’ll probably enjoy a wine with a similar hint of “spice.” Keep an eye out for wines aged in oak barrels as oak aging tends to impart notes of baking spices. Be sure to try Rioja, a Spanish red wine made with Tempranillo grapes. You may also like Cabernet Franc, a peppery wine with notes of strawberry and chili pepper.
3. Cinnamon Dolce Latte
Similarly to the Pumpkin Spice Latte, the Cinnamon Dolce Latte is beloved for its creaminess and warm cinnamon flavor. If this is your fall favorite, try Zinfandel, a bold red wine with notes of jam, cinnamon, and smoke, or Gewürztraminer, an aromatic white wine with flavors of ginger and cinnamon.
4. Salted Caramel Mocha
This decadent autumn drink will help take the chill out of the air. If this is your go-to, try a Merlot with notes of cherry, cocoa, and vanilla. If you love caramel for its sweetness, you may prefer a sweeter dessert wine like tawny port or Pedro Ximénez (PX) sherry, with notes of coffee, toffee, and walnut.
5. Vanilla Latte
If you like a creamy coffee drink with notes of vanilla, you will probably enjoy a silky wine with similar flavors. Try 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.
If a vanilla latte is your morning favorite, try Bright Cellars' Meet Cute Oaked Chardonnay in the evening! This creamy wine has flavor notes of pineapple, mango, and coconut!
6. Dirty Chai
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, like Barolo.
7. Strawberry Frappuccino
If you love a creamy Strawberry Frap, odds are you’re going to like a red wine like Grenache, with notes of stewed strawberries and grilled plums. You may also enjoy fizzy Lambrusco, a lighter red wine with notes of strawberry and raspberry.
8. Caramel Apple Spice
If you crave warm apple goodness, be sure to try an off-dry Riesling – a slightly sweet white wine with notes of apple and jasmine – or Viognier, an aromatic white wine with notes of apple, walnut, and cream. You may also like a Rhône blend, a red wine made from Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre that has notes of raspberry, rosemary, and cinnamon.
Our favorite wine for this Starbucks order would be the Wellfleet Viognier. The flavor notes of peach, tangerine, and guava.
9. 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.
If your fall coffee order is matcha green tea, try Bright Cellars Herz and Heim Grüner Veltliner. The flavor notes of green apple, fresh green herbs, and spicy white pepper.
10. Earl Grey Tea
Similar to many red wines, black tea has tannins, giving it an astringent quality. If you steep your tea for a long time, try Petite Sirah, a full-bodied red wine with high tannins and notes of blueberry, dark chocolate, and black tea. If you like the citrusy taste of bergamot (the flavor that gives Earl Grey its zing), try an Oregon Pinot Noir – a light-bodied red with a slight earthiness.
11. Peach Tranquility Tea
If this herbal tea is your jam, you’ll probably like a similarly light and fruity white wine. Try a Pinot Gris with notes of white peach and lemon zest, or a Riesling. If you take your tea sweetened, go with an off-dry Riesling. If sweetener is a no-go, start with a dry Riesling.
