Pizza is not just a personal favorite food of many people. Pizza is personal!
It’s also one of the best foods to eat when you’re in the mood for something hearty and satisfying. But, what wine should you drink with pizza?
That question can be answered by matching your favorite pizza toppings with the best wines to go with them.
That’s precisely why we’ve constructed this list of the Best Wine With Pizza to give you 11 terrific wine pairings to choose from.
Pizza Toppings Are the Key to Pairing Wine
Choosing the best wine to drink with pizza starts by figuring out what your favorite pizza toppings are.
You might be surprised that you can pair wines based on anything from how salty or spicy a topping is, all the way to whether it’s sweet or savory. The possibilities for pairing great wines with pizzas are endless!
When pairing wine with pizza, you’ll want to consider the crust. If it’s thin and crispy like a cracker, then it’s best paired with balanced wines that are crisp rather than heavy on tannins which can clash with the bread-like texture of your pizza crust.
With thick or deep dish pizzas though, you have more leeway with heavier and heartier wines because those crusts can stand up to those flavors.
For best results, it’s best not to use the same wine for both your pizza topping as well as your base sauce though! The reason is that since you’re pairing a specific type of food with a certain flavor profile (i.e., salty pepperoni or mushroom) with a particular type of wine (i.e., sparkling red), you’ll probably end up getting their flavors mixed together in an unpleasant way if they share one bottle throughout the meal rather than having separate glasses or bottles for each.
Finally, when choosing between either white wine or red wine, it all comes down to what kind of toppings are on your pizza slice: something light like a Margherita will best be paired with lighter white wines like Sauvignon Blanc, whereas something heavy and rich like a pepperoni pizza would best go with heavier reds such as Zinfandel or Pinot Noir.
Now that you’ve decided what flavors your favorite types of pizzas have to offer, here are 11 terrific wines to match those flavor profiles:
1. Prosecco
The best pairing for traditional Italian style Neapolitan pizza is the rustic-style sparkling Prosecco wine which has fruity notes of green apples along with hints of fresh citrus fruits. The reason why this type of bubbling wine goes so well is that it matches up harmoniously with the tartness in tomato sauce found on most varieties of Margheritas, plus it also helps to remove the oiliness of fatty cheeses such as ricotta and Parmesan.
2. Dry Rosé
Another Italian-style pizza best paired with a dry rosé wine is one topped with mushrooms, truffles, grilled eggplants, or any other form of roasted vegetables. The reason why this pairing works so well comes down to its similarity in flavor: both that pizza and red wine have earthy notes like dried figs and wet soil that go beautifully together when tasted side by side.
3. Syrah
There are even more reasons why red wines work best for mushroom pizzas too: not only do they match up harmoniously because their flavors are similar (with those rich umami tastes), but also because shiitake mushrooms along with porcinis are best paired with full-bodied wines that have higher tannins along with moderate acidity.
4. Amarone
Of course, there’s no better pairing for pepperoni pizza than an Italian Amarone della Valpolicella wine which is high in both flavor and alcohol content (19% ABV). The best part about this sort of red wine though is the way it tastes: it has flavors like ripe dark fruit such as cherries, plums, figs, dates, raisins all balanced out by spicy notes like cinnamon sticks along with gingerbread spices. Plus if you’re feeling especially hungry or having guests over to your place then these robust red wines go best alongside a large serving of pizza too!
5. Riesling
If you prefer something sweeter on your pizza then best pair it with a sweet Riesling or Moscato wine. Not only will these two wines be best at cutting through the fat and grease on your pie, but they’ll also go best with fruity toppings like pineapple (which some people even put on their pizzas).
6. Champagne
Finally, if you prefer something tangier to cut through the oiliness of pepperoni slices or olives added to your pizza slice then best try out Champagne which is best served in spritzers alongside any sort of oily topping such as anchovies. This bubbling type of wine goes well because its flavors match up harmoniously: both that flavor profile along with higher bubble content cuts down on the fattiness found within each bite of pizza.
7. Rosé Champagne
Move over red and white wines, rosé is best suited for pairing with different types of pizzas too! For example: when it comes to topping a pie with fresh mozzarella cheese then best pair that up alongside a bottle of rosé champagne such as Moet & Chandon Imperial Rose Champagne, which has flavors like strawberry compote along with hints of candied gingerbread spices. The reason why this bubbling wine goes so well, in this case, is because its flavor profile matches nearly perfectly: both have fruity tastes found within strawberries and raspberries, plus the way they taste together simply melts in your mouth-especially if you’re having it on top melted mozzarella cheese (which some people even add to their rosés).
8. Rosato
In the case of a pizza topped with olive oil, rosemary, and garlic best try pairing it up alongside an Italian Rosato wine which is best served slightly chilled. The reason why this bubbling type of rosé goes so well in this scenario is that its flavor profile matches nearly perfectly: both have flavors like wild herbs along with wet soil that goes beautifully together when tasted side by side.
9. Cava
Another great bubbly option for people who love seafood pizza made from anchovies or clams is to best pair it alongside cava wines such as Codorniu Reserva Brut Nature Cava which has notes of candied lemon peel & honeycomb-perfect if you’re craving something sweet! This Spanish type of sparkling wine comes best paired alongside seafood pizzas because its flavor profile best matches nearly perfectly: both have flavors like candied fruits, plus the way they taste together simply melts in your mouth-especially if you’re having it on top seafood ingredients (which some people even add to their cava wines).
10. Albariño
For people preferring more savory pizzas best matched up alongside crisp white wines that go well together when tasted side by side. For example: pairing it with an Albariño is highly recommended since the grapefruit hints within this Spanish white wine best goes well with savory ingredients (like green olives and oregano).
11. Pino Noir
For those looking for a red option best try out Pinot Noir which has flavors like juicy cherry, cranberry & cola that go beautifully together when tasted side by side. It’s best suited alongside tomato-based pizzas such as Margherita pizza because its flavor profile best matches nearly perfectly: both have flavors like fresh fruits found within tomatoes along with hints of herbs (such as rosemary or basil).
The Best Wine for Margherita Pizza
Margherita pizza is a classic for a reason – its simple yet flavorful combination of tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil is hard to beat. When it comes to pairing wine with Margherita pizza, you want to look for a red that won’t overwhelm the delicate flavors of the cheese and tomatoes. A light-bodied Pinot Noir or Sangiovese are both great choices.
The Best Wine for Pepperoni Pizza
Pepperoni is the most popular type of pizza for a reason – it’s delicious! When pairing wine with pepperoni pizza, you want to look for a red that can stand up to the bold flavors of the pepperoni. A Chianti or Barbera are both great choices. If you’re looking for a white wine, a Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc will also pair well.
The Best Wine for Deep Dish Pizza
Deep-dish pizza is a Chicago staple, and its hearty flavor profile can be a bit tricky to pair with wine. For reds, we recommend a Sangiovese or Chianti Classico Riserva. If you’re looking for a white, an oaked Chardonnay will do the trick.
Final Thoughts
Don’t be afraid to experiment and try different pairings – you never know when you might stumble upon your new favorite combination. Happy eating (and drinking)!