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Market research speaks for itself: among the most popular Italian desserts - worldwide - is tiramisu. The secret of this success is easy to guess: not only is it a distinctive product of our confectionery tradition, but on a taste level it is a small masterpiece, which mixes the bitter notes of coffee with the sweet ones of mascarpone cream (not to mention the fresh fruit versions).
If you love this dessert, don't miss this guide to matching tiramisu with liqueurs, dry wines and sweet sparkling wines!
One dessert, many identities: the birth of Tiramisu
The origins of tiramisu date back to 19th century Treviso, where it was customary to prepare an improvised, creamy dessert made of beaten egg with sugar (sometimes zabaglione and cream), called Sbatudin, often enriched with additional ingredients, such as baicoli biscuits.
It is precisely the use of so many different products that started the Sbatudin towards its natural evolution: at first prepared with sponge cake, between the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century this cake began to include ingredients typical of other regions, such as Piedmontese lady fingers (brought to Veneto by the noblewoman Giuseppina Tiretta) or Lombard mascarpone.
The actual birth of tiramisù (from tireme su, 'lift me up') dates back to 1970, however, when the official recipe was presented by pastry chef Loly Linguanotto at the Alle Beccherie restaurant in Treviso. The worldwide success of this dessert was then determined by emigrants from Treviso, who contributed to its spread abroad.
Bubbles, still wines or liqueurs? Here's what to drink with coffee tiramisu
There are an infinite number of versions of tiramisu, but only one recipe respects tradition: the one that calls for layers of ladyfingers soaked in coffee, alternating with a cream of beaten egg, mascarpone and sugar, and dusted on top with cocoa. The result is a real treat for the palate, an excellent dessert that becomes even more enjoyable when paired with something good to drink. But what are the best pairings for tiramisu?
The perfect option can be found among sweet wines, passiti and liqueurs, perhaps going for a classic with a Moscato d'Asti. This sparkling wine shows off a bewitching golden yellow colour in the glass, and focuses on the sweetness of the fruity and floral scents.
However, don't let the sugar level fool you: the Tiramisu and Moscato pair works precisely because this wine also provides good acidity, lightening the palate from the fatty texture of this dessert.
Among the best liqueurs to pair with tiramisu, on the other hand, coffee-based naturally stand out, for an energy boost that will accompany you throughout the day. An excellent alternative, however, is also offered by Amaretto, which will add to the bitter-sweet scents of tiramisu those persuasive and full-bodied ones of almonds, cherries, plums and cocoa.
Lastly, there is nothing to stop a dry product being paired with this dessert: an excellent match between wine and tiramisu is in this case the "'900 Gran Giordano" sparkling wine. With its fruity and citrus aromas and refreshing taste, this label is proof that even a Brut bubble can hold its own against the softness and sweetness of tiramisu.
How to combine tiramisu with fruit?
True, the traditional tiramisu is made with coffee, but if you don't like the scratchy tones of this ingredient and don't want to miss out on a tasty, enveloping dessert, there is no shortage of equally tasty alternatives, such as those with fruit.
Among the best-known variants is the strawberry tiramisu, with its beautiful colour contrast between red and white, but also the pineapple tiramisu, which gives the palate bewitching exotic tones (especially with the addition of a little coconut), and the lemon tiramisu, a triumph of aromas and freshness.
What are the best combinations of wines, liqueurs and fruit tiramisu?
The basic rule does not change: the combination of tiramisu and wine or liqueur is again at the forefront, with the aforementioned Moscato d'Asti (absolutely one of the best wines for tiramisu) being cited as an example.
If, however, you want to impress your guests with a slightly less popular, but just as tasty combo, the secret is to find a product that goes well with the preponderant ingredient.
Excellent with pineapple tiramisu, for example, is an aromatic and dry wine such as Tuzko Riesling, characterised by hints of tropical fruits, lime and lemon, and a structured and refreshing taste that cleanses the palate of the more intense and fatty traits of this dessert.
What about the lemon tiramisu? One bite of this delicious dessert is enough to take your mind back to the Sicilian shores, especially if accompanied by a small glass of limoncello cream. It is a tasting experience that involves all the senses, conquering the sense of smell with an intense citrus fragrance and the palate with a soft texture and enveloping taste.
One of the best liqueurs for tiramisu of this type, which is really hard to resist!
Are you looking forward to sinking your fork into a generous portion of tiramisu? Make sure you do it with the right pairing. Find it in the Giordano Vini catalogue!