Red Wine coffee in London
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 arrive as something deeply fermented and fruit-forward, conjuring dark berries, grape skin, and a lingering tannic warmth that feels closer to a glass of something aged than a morning brew. Coffees carrying this character tend to come from Colombia, where anaerobic processing, which seals the cherry in oxygen-free conditions, intensifies those wine-like, almost vinous qualities. In London, roasters including Kiss the Hippo, Assembly, and Urban Baristas are each exploring this expressive style.
Top rated red wine coffee roasts in London
Speciality roasts carrying red wine notes, ordered by community rating.
Roasters producing red wine coffee
London roasters with the most approved coffees carrying red wine notes.
Flavours that pair with red wine
Notes that most commonly appear alongside red wine in the same roasts.
Where red wine coffee comes from
Origin countries that most often produce red wine-forward coffees among London roasts.
How red wine coffee is processed
Processing methods associated with red wine notes in London roasts.
How red wine notes develop
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.
What to look for
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.
Find coffee matched to your taste
Take our 60-second flavour quiz and discover roasts across London that are aligned with your palate — including ones carrying red wine notes.