3 speciality roasts from 3 London roasters feature red wine notes.
Red wine as a coffee flavour note describes a rich, fermented fruitiness with noticeable depth and a tannic, drying quality on the finish, sometimes accompanied by dark fruit such as blackcurrant, cherry or plum. It sits at the more complex and intense end of the fruit spectrum, distinct from brighter citrus or berry notes. This character typically arises from naturally processed coffees, where extended contact between the cherry fruit and the bean during drying allows fermentation compounds, particularly certain alcohols and esters, to develop within the seed itself.
Red wine notes in coffee carry a depth of dark fruit and fermented richness, evoking ripe cherry and grape skins with a lingering, wine-like warmth on the palate. Coffees with this character tend to come from Colombia, where the fruit-forward growing conditions lend themselves beautifully to anaerobic processing, a method in which beans ferment in sealed, oxygen-free environments that intensify and deepen their flavour profile.
Speciality roasts carrying red wine notes, ordered by community rating.
London roasters with the most approved coffees carrying red wine notes.
Notes that most commonly appear alongside red wine in the same roasts.
Origin countries that most often produce red wine-forward coffees among London roasts.
Processing methods associated with red wine notes in London roasts.
Ethiopian coffees, particularly those from regions such as Yirgacheffe, Sidama and Harrar, often carry red wine notes when processed using the natural method, a tradition with deep roots in the country. Ethiopian heirlooms are thought to contribute a genetic complexity that encourages wine-like fermentation characteristics, especially in drier processing environments. Natural processed coffees from Brazil and Yemen can also exhibit this quality, though the specific expression varies considerably with altitude, climate and the degree of fermentation control applied during drying.
On a bag or menu, look for tasting notes such as red fruit, dark cherry, fermented berry, grape or blackcurrant alongside a natural or dry process designation, as these are reliable signals that a red wine character may be present. A medium roast typically preserves more of the origin-driven fermentation complexity than a dark roast, which can obscure it. Brewing methods that allow longer contact time and lower agitation, such as cafetiere, Chemex or a slower pour-over, tend to let these layered, wine-like qualities develop most clearly in the cup.
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