Do wine and pizza go well together?
Absolutely! These two Italian favourites are a match made in heaven. The beauty of the pairing lies in the variety of flavour profiles that can be found in both pizza and wine and the fun you can have in experimenting to find your perfect combination. But where do you start with so many styles, toppings, and ingredients on offer and so many different wines to choose from?
Whether you’re partial to pepperoni, nutty about Neapolitan, or have a fondness for four cheese, you can be sure there’s a tipple to complement your favourite slice. We’ve compiled a handy little guide with all you need to know about the perfect pairings.
When choosing an accompanying tipple, a good rule of thumb is to think about the ingredients and flavour profiles of your pizza – consider the sauce and toppings as a starting point and go from there with a vino that will either complement or provide a contrast to each mouth-watering bite. Simple tomato-based pizzas tend to pair well with dry rosé or light red wine, whilst a robust, meaty slice calls for a bold red that can stand up to its hearty flavours, and a fresh veggie pizza goes perfectly with a crisp white wine.
Read on for a few of our favourite pairings…
Margherita Pizza and Dry Rosé
Margherita is an inherently light pizza that showcases the simplicity of fresh tomato sauce, creamy mozzarella, and sweet, aromatic basil. An equally light wine is a must to complement this classic – dry rosé is the ideal pairing for both Margherita and Marinara, enhancing the delicate flavours perfectly without overpowering them.
Pepperoni Pizza and Shiraz
With its strong and smoky flavour profile and combination of spiced, salty, air-dried salami, tangy tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella cheese, Pepperoni pizza is a perennially popular choice with pizza fans across the world. It calls for a bold red wine like Shiraz to complement the robust flavour profile of the pepperoni.
Vegetarian Pizza and Sauvignon Blanc
A light, crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc pairs perfectly with a colourful vegetarian pizza full of delicate flavours. The zesty notes of the wine provide a refreshing complement to the veggies without overpowering them. A well-rounded and citrussy Italian Pinot Grigio would work equally well here.
Meat Lovers Pizza and Malbec
Topped with copious amounts of bacon, sausage, and pepperoni, a meat lovers pizza needs a bold red to complement the savoury, meaty, salty flavours. A full-bodied Malbec, the go-to red for those who enjoy big, bold flavours, or a robust Chianti, with its high acidity, tartness, and smoky notes, will work wonders. Able to stand head-to-head with the richness of the pizza, the acidity and higher tannins will also cut through the fattiness of the toppings.
BBQ Chicken and Pinot Noir
BBQ chicken pizza packs a mouth-watering punch with its tangy, sweet flavours. A light to medium-bodied Pinot Noir with silky tannins and bright acidity will work wonderfully with the chicken without being overly overpowering. The fruitiness of the wine pairs perfectly with the pizza’s sweet, smoky, and savoury elements.
Hawaiian Pizza and Reisling
Whilst the Hawaiian has long been the subject of a love/hate debate, you’re not alone if you’re partial to pineapple on your pizza. Domino’s had a whopping 3.63 million requests for extra pineapple on pizza orders in 2023. For those tucking into a Hawaiian, consider trying a German Riesling as an accompaniment – the fruity aroma, sweet notes, and high acidity will perfectly echo the sweetness of the pineapple.
Supreme Pizza and Prosecco
The Supreme quite literally has it all, with topping options including bacon, meatballs, ham, pepperoni, sausage, ground beef and pork, olives, and assorted veggies. Prosecco is a perfect pairing here – it can hold its own against the taste sensation of every bite but won’t overpower the delicate flavour of the veggies.
Having said all that, there really are no definitive rules here. At the end of the day, it all comes down to personal preference. The best combination is undoubtedly the one you enjoy the most and gives the best taste sensation. Next time you plan a pizza night, have some fun with it and don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavour pairings to find your perfect match and take your dining experience to the next level.