Pairing the best wine with pizza is a delightful way to enhance both the pizza and the wine, turning a simple meal into a gourmet experience. Wine’s wide range of flavors and aromas can complement the diverse ingredients found on pizzas, making each bite more enjoyable, especially when considering specific pizza pairings and the use of red wine. Whether you are a wine enthusiast or a pizza lover, understanding how to pair these two can elevate your dining experience.
Key Takeaways:
- Wine and pizza pairing can enhance the flavors of both.
- The right wine can complement and balance the taste of various pizza toppings.
- Experimentation with different pairings can lead to delightful discoveries.
Best Wine Pairings for Popular Types of Pizza
Margherita Pizza
Description: Margherita pizza is known for its simplicity, featuring fresh tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, and fresh basil. At HomeSlyce, we have premium margherita pizza and you can make your own pizza.
Recommended Wines:
- Chianti: This wine’s high acidity complements the tomato sauce beautifully.
- Sauvignon Blanc: The freshness of Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with the basil and mozzarella.
Why These Wines Work: Chianti’s acidity complements the tomato sauce, enhancing its tangy flavor, while Sauvignon Blanc’s freshness pairs well with the basil and mozzarella, adding a crisp, refreshing note to the creamy cheese.
Pepperoni Pizza
Description: Pepperoni pizza is spicy, savory, and rich, with pepperoni slices providing a flavorful kick.
Recommended Wines:
- Zinfandel: Bold flavors that match the intensity of the pepperoni.
- Syrah: Its spiciness enhances the heat from the pepperoni and complements the cheese’s richness.
Why These Wines Work: Zinfandel’s bold flavors and Syrah’s spiciness, along with their intense dark fruit flavors, enhance the pepperoni’s heat and the cheese’s richness, creating a balanced and enjoyable pairing that stands up to the robust flavors of the pepperoni.
Further reading: 10 Types of Pizza Crust: Which One Is Your Favorite?
BBQ Chicken Pizza
Description: BBQ chicken pizza combines smoky, sweet, and tangy flavors with its barbecue sauce and chicken toppings.
Recommended Wines:
- Shiraz: Smoky notes that complement the BBQ sauce.
- Merlot: Fruitiness that balances the tangy and sweet flavors of the sauce and chicken.
Why These Wines Work: Shiraz’s smoky notes and Merlot’s fruitiness complement the BBQ sauce and chicken, adding depth to the sweet and tangy flavors and creating a harmonious balance.
Vegetarian Pizza
Description: Vegetarian pizza, also known as veggie pizza, features fresh vegetables and herbs, offering a light and refreshing taste.
Recommended Wines:
- Pinot Grigio: Light and crisp, pairing well with fresh vegetables.
- Chardonnay: Richness that complements the cheese and herbs.
Why These Wines Work: Pinot Grigio’s lightness pairs well with the fresh vegetables, while a light red wine like Pinot Noir or Beaujolais complements the sauce and enhances the overall flavor profile without overwhelming the delicate vegetable toppings.
Meat Lover’s Pizza
Description: Meat Lover’s pizza is hearty and savory, topped with a variety of meats like sausage, bacon, and ham.
Recommended Wines:
- Cabernet Sauvignon: Robust tannins that match the rich, meaty toppings.
- Malbec: Bold flavors that stand up to the multiple meats.
Why These Wines Work: Cabernet Sauvignon’s robust tannins and Malbec’s bold flavors, along with a medium-bodied red wine like Sangiovese, stand up to the rich, meaty toppings, creating a powerful and satisfying pairing that enhances the savory elements of the pizza.
White Pizza
Description: White pizza features a creamy cheese and garlic base, often with additional toppings like spinach or mushrooms.
Recommended Wines:
- Riesling: Acidity that cuts through the creaminess.
- Prosecco: Bubbles that add a refreshing contrast.
Why These Wines Work: Riesling’s acidity cuts through the creaminess of the cheese, while Prosecco’s bubbles add a refreshing contrast, making each bite feel lighter and more balanced.
Hawaiian Pizza
Description: Hawaiian pizza combines savory ham with sweet pineapple, creating a unique and polarizing flavor combination.
Recommended Wines:
- Riesling: A slightly off-dry Riesling balances the sweetness of the pineapple and the saltiness of the ham.
- Prosecco: Its light, bubbly nature and hint of sweetness complement the sweet and savory elements.
Why These Wines Work: Dry Rosé’s acidity balances the sweetness of the pineapple, while Pinot Noir’s lightness complements the savory ham, making for an interesting and refreshing pairing.
Cheese Pizza
Description: Cheese pizza is a simple yet classic favorite, focusing on the pure flavors of melted cheese and tomato sauce.
Recommended Wines:
- Chardonnay: Especially a lightly oaked one, which pairs well with the creamy texture of the cheese.
- Pinot Noir: Its light to medium body and fruity notes complement the tomato sauce and cheese.
Salad Pizza
Description: Salad pizza combines the freshness of a salad with the heartiness of pizza, often topped with greens, veggies, and a light dressing.
Recommended Wines:
- Sauvignon Blanc: Crisp and herbaceous, enhancing the freshness of the greens.
- Rosé: Light and fruity, complementing the variety of fresh vegetables.
Why These Wines Work: Sauvignon Blanc’s crispness enhances the fresh vegetables, while Sparkling Wine’s bubbles add a refreshing lift to the overall dish.
Further reading: Exploring Baltimore Breweries: A Guide to the Best Craft Beer Spots
General Tips for Pairing The Best Wine with Pizza
Consider the Sauce
- Tomato-Based Sauces: These sauces are typically tangy and slightly sweet, which pairs well with wines that have good acidity. Classic choices include Chianti, Barbera, and Sangiovese. These wines have enough acidity to match the tanginess of the tomatoes without being overwhelmed.
- Creamy White Sauces: White pizzas often feature creamy, rich sauces like Alfredo or béchamel. These pizzas pair well with Chardonnay (especially unoaked), Pinot Grigio, or Sauvignon Blanc. These wines are typically lighter and more refreshing, which balances the richness of the sauce.
Match Intensity
- Bold Wines with Robust Toppings: If you’re enjoying a pizza with strong, hearty toppings like pepperoni, sausage, or BBQ chicken, go for bolder wines. Zinfandel, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon can stand up to these intense flavors.
- Light Wines with Delicate Flavors: For pizzas with lighter toppings such as Margherita, vegetarian, or seafood pizzas, opt for lighter wines. Pinot Noir, Gamay, or Rosé are excellent choices as they won’t overpower the subtle flavors.
Experiment
- The best way to find your ideal pairing is through experimentation. Encourage trying different wines with various pizzas to see what pleases your palate. Remember, there are no hard and fast rules—personal preference is key.
- Wine Flights: Consider doing a wine flight with your pizza night. Select a few different wines and see how each one complements your pizza. This can be a fun way to explore new pairings and discover unexpected favorites.
Explore Different Pizza Pairings
- Meat Lovers: For pizzas loaded with meats like sausage, ham, and bacon, try a Malbec or Merlot. These wines have enough body and tannins to complement the richness of the meats.
- Vegetarian: For veggie pizzas, consider a Sauvignon Blanc or Chenin Blanc. These wines have bright acidity that pairs well with the fresh, sometimes earthy flavors of vegetables.
- Spicy Toppings: If your pizza has spicy toppings like jalapeños or spicy sausage, opt for a slightly sweet wine like Riesling or Gewürztraminer. The sweetness can balance the heat, creating a more enjoyable experience.
- Cheesy Pizzas: For pizzas that are heavy on the cheese, such as four-cheese or cheese lovers, try a Prosecco or Chianti Classico. The acidity in these wines can cut through the creaminess of the cheese, providing a nice contrast.
Additional Tips
- Temperature Matters: Serving wine at the right temperature can enhance the pairing experience. Red wines should be slightly cooler than room temperature (around 60-65°F), and white wines should be chilled but not too cold (around 50-55°F).
- Consider the Crust: The crust can also influence your wine choice. A thin, crispy crust might pair better with lighter wines, while a thick, doughy crust could handle a heartier wine.
Further reading: How to Keep Pizza Warm: Tips & Tricks for Freshness
By keeping these general tips in mind, you can elevate your pizza night into a gourmet experience. Whether you prefer red, white, or sparkling wines, there’s always a perfect pairing waiting to be discovered.
Conclusion
Pairing wine with pizza can elevate a simple meal into a gourmet experience. By understanding the characteristics of different wines and how they complement various pizza flavors, you can enhance your enjoyment and appreciation of both. Whether you prefer a classic Margherita with a crisp Chianti or a hearty Meat Lover’s with a robust Malbec, there’s a perfect wine pairing for every pizza. At Homeslyce, you can choose the best pizza and pair it with the ideal wine to create an exceptional dining experience. Cheers to delicious combinations and new culinary adventures!
