Have you ever wondered what the best wine to have with pizza is? Nothing is truly better than sitting down and devouring a slice of pizza with a savory glass of wine, but deciding which wine to pair with a tasty slice can be difficult. Certain wines can enhance the flavors of our favorite pizza toppings, making them more satisfying than ever. We are here to break down the best wine to have with pizza and which glass complements each topping.
Pepperoni
Pepperoni is one of the most admired pizza toppings for obvious reasons. It has a delectable taste with hints of spices, such as garlic, paprika, pepper and cayenne. Pepperoni is also cured with salt and lactic acid, which gives it a salty flavor. The pizza topping was created in the 10th century by Italian-American immigrants in New York City; since then, it has won the hearts of Americans and the entire world.
Sangiovese – The Best Wine To Have With Pepperoni Pizza
Sangiovese is a good red wine for pizza with pepperoni. It features rich cherry and berry flavors with a hint of fruity sweetness. Thanks to its moderate acidity, the wine will cut through the salt and fat of the pepperoni. The rich tannins in Sangiovese complement the gooey mozzarella cheese, too.
Meatlovers
Why stop at pepperoni when you can also add Italian sausage, ham, and bacon? That is exactly what Meatlovers pizza is: all these delicious toppings combined. A Meat Lovers Pizza can have a variety of toppings, including the above-listed meats and others such as ground pork or ground beef. A bold red can help intensify these already delectable flavors.
Syrah (Shiraz) – The Best Wine To Have With Meat Lovers Pizza
Syrah is the best red wine with pizza that features a variety of meat. This red wine is high in tannins, which help break through fatty meats. The Syrah grape is infamous for its dark yet intense flavors, which can enrich the taste of meats such as sausage. Try to pick a Syrah that has a hint of spiciness, such as those from Rhone.
Cheese Pizza
Sometimes, nothing is better than a classic cheese pizza. Cheese Pizza is especially popular in spots like New York City, where you can quickly grab a cheese slice on the go. Mozzarella cheese is usually the main ingredient, combined with a homemade pizza sauce. The cheesy goodness and red tomato sauce can be enhanced even more with the perfect wine.
Pinot Noir – The Best Wine To Have With Cheese Pizza
If indulging in a classic cheese pizza, pour yourself a glass of Pinot Noir. Pinots have light fruit flavors mixed with spiciness, bringing out the tomato sauce’s richness. This light-bodied wine is a favorite among wine and pizza lovers.
Margherita Pizza
This Naples-style pizza has flavorful crushed tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, olive oil, and yummy mozzarella—the ingredients representing the colors of the Italian flag. The flavor of a Margherita Pizza is sweet and a little tangy, and you will usually taste more sauce than cheese.
Rosé -The Best Wine To Have With Margherita Pizza
Pair your Margherita Pizza with a dry and light Rosé. Rosé wines have bright acidity and herbal notes that will bring out tastes of tomatoes and basil. Some typical flavor profiles of dry roses are strawberry, rose, and even citrus. The best wine with Margherita pizza is Rosé; you will feel like you are vacationing in Naples.
BBQ Chicken Pizza
Savor sweet and tangy flavors when enjoying a BBQ Chicken Pizza. This pizza has a barbeque sauce base topped with diced chicken, cilantro, onions, and peppers. It is a favorite in California and contains Mozzarella or Colby Jack cheese.
Chardonnay – The Best Wine To Have With BBQ Chicken Pizza
Chardonnay is the best white wine with pizza, especially if it has BBQ flavors. Choose a bottle that has a light body and good tannins. Go for an unoaked chardonnay since oaky wines can overshadow the richness of the cheese.
Hawaiian Pizza
Pineapple is the most controversial pizza topping, but combined with ham, it is a match made in heaven. Hawaiian pizza features sweet pineapple mixed with salty ham atop mozzarella cheese and pizza sauce. It is popular among those who love the salty and sweet combination.
Riesling – The Best Wine To Have With Hawaiian Pizza
The explosion of flavors in a Hawaiian pizza will pair perfectly with a Riesling. This wine helps offset the sweetness while easing some bolder flavors, balancing it flawlessly. The flavors include peach, apricot, apple, pear, and grapefruit. Enjoy this wine, sweet or dry; you will taste the fruity notes in both options.
Buffalo Pizza
Buffalo Pizza is a brilliant option for those who want a spicy kick to their pie. The pizza is made with blue cheese or ranch and then topped with zingy buffalo chicken, banana peppers, and red onions. It resembles the taste of a buffalo chicken wing.
Zinfandel Wine – The Best Wine To Have With Buffalo Pizza
A glass of Zinfandel will do wonders with a Buffalo Pizza. Zinfandel is a big, bold wine with jammy flavors and a hint of black pepper. This wine helps relieve our burning sensation when eating spicy food and allows you to enjoy more flavor.
Supreme Pizza
A Supreme Pizza has a combination of meat and vegetable toppings. It’s liked by those who want their pizza all-dressed and packed with diverse flavors. Standard toppings are pepperoni, sausage, peppers, mushrooms, olives, onions, and mozzarella cheese. It is an excellent pizza option for veggie and meat lovers.
Prosecco Sparkling Wine – The Best Wine To Have With Supreme Pizza
Prosecco is a sparkling white wine from Italy. It is a light option that is a good wine to pair with pizza with many toppings. Thanks to its sweetness, this bubbly choice won’t overpower the flavors of the Supreme Pizza, and it goes nicely with the meat’s saltiness.
Chocolate Pizza
Can’t decide between pizza or a dessert? You don’t have to. Enjoy the best of both worlds by indulging in a Chocolate Pizza! There are so many varieties of chocolate and dessert pizzas. However, the typical version has a chocolate hazelnut spread topped with bittersweet and white chocolate. From there, the toppings may include chopped hazelnuts and chocolate shavings. It is a delicious take on classic pizza!
Ruby Port – The Best Accompaniment To Have With Chocolate Pizza
Ruby Ports are the best wine to enjoy with chocolate pizza. This wine has a vivid red color and fruity flavor. The berry notes work well with the bittersweet chocolate, thanks to its rich and sweet taste. Avoid a Tawny Port; they have nutty notes that better go with caramel desserts.
There is a bottle of wine for every type of pizza, whether you want sweetness and saltiness with a Hawaiian pizza or a vacation to Italy with Margherita. We hope you enjoyed our picks for the best wine to have with pizza and which glass goes best with each topping.
