Wine and Donut Pairings: Sweet Meets Sweeter

A basic guide on how to pair donuts with wine. Watch the full Podcast episode on YouTube

Pairing wine with donuts is the ultimate way to elevate your dessert game. Forget the usual coffee or milk—matching your favorite donuts with the perfect wine can transform this humble treat into a gourmet experience. But here’s the secret: for the pairing to work, the wine must always be sweeter than the donut. This golden rule ensures every bite and sip is in perfect harmony.

Whether you’re hosting brunch, planning a dessert spread, or just treating yourself, here’s how to pair wine with donuts like a pro.

Jelly-Filled Donut

Fruity, sweet, and satisfying, jelly-filled donuts call for a wine that’s equally bold. Passito from Noto, a luxurious Sicilian dessert wine, brings flavors of dried apricots, figs, and honeyed orange zest to the table. Its syrupy sweetness pairs beautifully with the fruity filling, enhancing the donut’s flavor without getting lost in the sugar. This pairing creates a rich, Mediterranean-inspired dessert experience.

Chocolate Frosted and Old Fashioned

For chocolate frosted and classic style old fashioned donuts, a 20-year-old Tawny Port is the ideal match. With notes of caramel, toffee, and dried fruits, Tawny Port amplifies the chocolate’s richness and perfectly balances the glazed donut’s sugary simplicity. Its bold sweetness ensures that it holds its own, delivering a velvety, indulgent finish in every bite.

Strawberry Frosted Donut

Sweet, fruity, and fun, the strawberry frosted donut deserves a pairing that’s just as whimsical. Enter Moscato d’Asti, a lightly sparkling Italian dessert wine with notes of ripe peaches, honeysuckle, and citrus. Its bubbles cleanse the palate, while its sweetness perfectly complements the strawberry frosting, creating a refreshing yet indulgent pairing.

Why Wine and Donuts Work So Well

The key to a successful wine and donut pairing is balancing the sweetness levels. Dessert wines like Passito, Tawny Port, and Moscato d’Asti are designed to shine alongside sugary treats, enhancing their flavors rather than competing with them. Here are a few tips:

1. Choose wines that are sweeter than the donut to maintain balance.

2. Go for bold, flavorful dessert wines like fortified or sparkling varieties.

3. Pair by flavor profile: fruity wines complement fruity donuts, while rich, nutty wines work well with chocolate or glazed donuts.

Where to Buy the Perfect Wine

Looking to elevate your dessert experience? Stop by Arthur Cantina Wine & Liquor to shop a curated selection of the best dessert wines, including Passito from Noto, 20-year-old Tawny Port, and Moscato d’Asti. Whether you’re planning a wine-and-donut tasting or simply indulging in a sweet treat, we’ve got the perfect bottles to make your pairing unforgettable.