In my world, pizza and wine go hand in hand. Whether you’re throwing an enormous pizza party or watching “Love Actually” for the fourth time this year with a bottle of Pinot and a personal pie, this is one combo that will never let you down. Up your take-out game with these highly recommended pairings.
Margherita Pizza
Pair with: Chianti
Hello, old friend. So many things in life are temporary, but margherita pizza will always, always, always be delicious. Chianti is another (often overlooked) classic – highlight the bold flavor and acidity of the pizza’s red sauce with this dry red wine, which is subtle enough that it won’t steal the mozzarella’s spotlight. You won’t be disappointed.
Pepperoni
Pair with: Champagne
I love the idea of elevating a quintessentially greasy pepperoni ‘za by enjoying it with a sophisticated flute of bubbly. You may think a hefty, meaty pie like this one should be paired with something heartier, like a Merlot or Syrah, but I’ve reserved that for the Meat Lovers pie, below.
Hawaiian
Pair with: Riesling
I’ve actually never met anyone who voluntarily eats Hawaiian pizza, but I added it to the mix anyway. Experts recommend drinking a slightly sweet wine, like a Reisling, which usually has notes of tropical fruit and flowers, when indulging in this sweet and salty pizza.
Bianco
Pair with: Rosé
Is white pizza really a pizza? Jury’s still out on that, but I think we can all agree it’s delicious. Enhance the airiness of this pie with a bright rosé, which will make all those fresh herbs scattered on top of your pie taste even more delicious. I’m looking at you, rosemary.
Meat Lovers
Pair with: Syrah
Full-bodied wines like Syrah work exceptionally well with beef and sausage. The tannins in the red wines match the fattiness of the red meat, and the flavor of the wine itself enhances common herbs like fennel, anise, thyme and oregano. This pairing suggestion works for cheeseburgers, too.
Veggie
Pair with: Chardonnay
Is there anything lovelier than fresh veggies and white wine? No matter what time of year it is, bring a breath of springtime into your living room with a pizza piled high with veggies and a chilled glass of Chardonnay. The oaky flavor of the Chard will be delicious with earthy veggies like mushrooms and eggplant, and the wine is bright enough to complement lighter ones like spinach, peppers and onions.
Photo by Jamie Goodwin
