Tiramisu is one of Italy's best-loved desserts, one that's widespread in both the north and south. The original recipe includes a layer of coffee-soaked ladyfingers covered with a cream made from mascarpone, eggs, and sugar – which in some cases can be “reinforced” with a touch of liqueur. Unsweetened cocoa powder is then sprinkled on top of the cream. Cocoa, mascarpone, and above all coffee are ingredients that aren't easy to pair with wine.
Stick With Sweet Wines
The only certainty for a tiramisu wine pairing is that the wine must be sweet. If the creamy, oily texture of the mascarpone inspires you to pair it with sparkling wine, you need to choose one with the right structure to withstand the coffee's persistent flavor.
Muscat is often suggested, but it’s too delicate, so it would be better to opt for sparkling red wine, like Sangue di Giuda from Oltrepo Pavese. Wines with a higher alcohol percentage are best, such as passitos, especially those that go well with chocolate, like a Moscato Rosa from South Tyrol, a Sagrantino Passito from Umbria, Puglian Primitivo Passito, or a Nero d’Avola Passito from Sicily. Marsala, which can also be used as an ingredient to flavor the mascarpone cream, is also great with tiramisu.
Not just wine
Although it may seem strange to a lot of people, beer also pairs well with tiramisu. Just make sure to choose an Imperial Stout, a dark beer with around 9-10% alcohol. It has a velvety, almost creamy foam and a flavor reminiscent of cocoa and coffee.. just like tiramisu.
