Contributed by Ruby Collins – When coffee first arrived in Italy in the 17th century, it was an elite, expensive drink. It wasn’t until the 19th century, when technological advances and political changes made it accessible and available to the masses. The espresso we know today entered Italian culture with the aim of encouraging higher productivity in labourers in the 1930’s. It was during this time that the Italian government, led by Mussolini, began to face tariffs and sanctions which caused the prices of everyday products, such as coffee, to rise significantly. Italians had become quickly accustomed to their caffeine-boosting espresso shots and so rather than abandoning them, they got creative – enter Caffeè Corretto!
What is Caffè Corretto?
Caffè corretto is fundamentally an espresso shot with added alcohol – usually a liquor, such as brandy, grappa or sambuca. However, some Italians, use a splash of wine instead. For example, the late Robert Mondavi, in his book Harvests of Joy, described how he often added red wine to his coffee in the morning. He described it as a common habit of older generations of Italians, and some still follow this tradition to this day.
The word ‘corretto’ means ‘corrected’ and although this can be understood with humour – alcohol being noted to make things like celebrations and gatherings better or just right, there’s an interesting theory on the choosing of this particular word. Historian, Dr. Diana Garvin, surmises that the name is very likely related to the Fascist era, when coffee tariffs were rising. During this time, Italians couldn’t afford coffee every day, so they created coffee substitutes out of chicory and orzo (leafy plants/flowers and barley). People learnt that the taste of their home-made coffee brews was improved by adding alcohol and so they “corrected” their coffees.
Wine with Coffee in Today’s Culture
Following its invention by the Italians in the 1930s, caffè corretto was soon served throughout Italy and still is today, although its popularity has somewhat waned. Once, it was the go-to beverage after meals for many Italians, with new additions being made with every generation. For example, “correcting” coffee with the fizzy red wine called Lambrusco, is a custom from the Emilia-Romagna area in northeast Italy, where Lambrusco is made. Today, however, is it still notably the older generations of Italians who order caffè corretto. Younger Italians usually order a simple espresso shot or a cappuccino.
Wine and Coffee Pairings
Wine and coffee are two very different drinks; however, they do share some similarities such as body, mouthfeel, acidity and aroma. These elements are often used to evaluate both coffee and wine by connoisseurs around the world.
You can try combining wine and coffee yourself to come up with some spectacular flavors. When selecting coffee beans, opt for types that will suit each wine – espresso beans are dark and bold and work well with a bold red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah or Zinfandel. For medium-bodied wines, such as Merlot, Malbec, or Grenache, consider medium-roast coffee beans. Experiment a little and have fun. For example, a refreshing white wine, such as a Pinot Grigio will be an ideal counterpart to an immersion-brewed coffee.
Consider a Coffee Bean Subscription to Experiment
A good way to experiment with coffee is to sign-up for a coffee bean subscription club. Presto Coffee has one that will ship different Italian coffee beans to you to tantalize your taste buds. With a 1kg bag of espresso coffee beans providing 120 cups of coffee, this works out to just a few cents per cup. Plus it is delivered to your door on a monthly basis, so you’ll never run out. Once you have a coffee subscription, consider joining a wine club, and then you can really experiment, and decide if you want to drink like some Italians, or keep your coffee and wine separate.
About the Author: Ruby Collins is a blogger for a leading coffee company, Presto Coffee. She loves all things content & coffee, which is why she enjoyed researching this story about how some Italians still follow an old custom of adding wine to coffee. In the rare moments, she is away from the computer, Ruby loves to cook & spend time with her furry cocker spaniel Bella. Ruby can be contacted at: prestocoffeemarketing@gmail.com