Pizza is the most popular dish in the world. There are more pizzas sold in a day than any other dish. Our love for pizza is universal but so is our love for wine. With this in mind, there’s a need to reconcile both worlds and talk about the challenges of pairing our favourite pizzas with our favourite wine. Some might say pizza and beer is the way to go, and when it comes to wine, we seem to be stuck in the classic Chianti or Brunello pairings. This is the 21st century after all, so let’s pair our favourite new world wines, those made with noble grapes, with our favourite pie.
Whatever pizza you have available, pick wines you already like. The key is to find the best red, white or rosé to pair with your pizza choice! You may discover an inspired new pairing that you love.
The first iconic pizza style was the Margherita, invented in 1889, it could be said it’s the queen of pizzas. Its elegant and simple flavours seem to be universal, just the perfect combination of tomato and cheese, adorned with hints basil. If we plan on pairing pizza and wine, we must start with this one. As our first pairing, we’ll choose an equally noble wine: The Chardonnay. A rich, buttery Chardonnay will not just complement, but enhance the flavours on the Margherita. Each unctuous bite will blend with the bold flavours of our wine. But neither wine nor pizza is always that straightforward. Let’s step up our game a bit.
Sauvignon Blanc is a wild grape; it can both amuse and confuse us with its herbal notes of fresh-cut grass and citrus aromas. It has a green character and lively acidity that make us wonder if it will play nice with pizza after all. The good news is that pizza is no longer just the classic Margherita pie. Pizzas are now as creative as ever. To match our leafy Sauvignon, let’s choose an equally green pie. A pizza with arugula and feta cheese, a modern style of pizza, is the perfect pair for any Sauvignon Blanc. It will work amazingly well with a Chenin too! Especially for its woolly and flowery signature.
Slice it up: How you eat pizza also affects the best type of wine pairing. Whether it’s folded in half or stacking, some wines are best for sipping and others are best for gulping
There’s no biggest controversy in the word of pizza than adding the tropical freshness and tangy sweetness of pineapple to pizza. This is no classic Neapolitan pie anymore; it’s a new world invention. Some people love it, some don’t. But there’s no doubt that the tropical fruit aromas and crisp acidity of a quality Riesling wine match perfectly with the Hawaiian pizza pie and deliciousness is universal.
Even the most fragrant and delicate red can pair well with pizza too. Try pairing your favourite Pinot Noir with a mushroom pizza. Pinot and mushrooms have been pairing friends for centuries! The earthiness of the wine, the undergrowth notes, the delicate and silky palate, they all complement beautifully a good mushroom pizza. Take it to another level by drizzling a little truffle oil to the pizza and be blown away.
Pour a glass of Pinot Noir or Chardonnay for a cream-based, white pizza
Shiraz makes complex wines that can be medium to full-bodied and are present in every reunion; this is Australia’s darling after all. Shiraz wines have strong flavours and tend to have smoky and meaty aromas. The meat lover’s pizza, one with toppings like sausage, bacon, pepperoni, or ground meat seems to have been invented to pair with this strong-character wine. You’ll be impressed at how the flavours blend in harmony.
Cabernet can be overwhelming. It’s a powerful wine as you know. Full-bodied wines like these are best paired with hearty dishes and grilled meat, but for pizza, there are no rules! Cabernet has green pepper aromas and slight tannin bitterness, which we can use in our favour. Pair your favourite Cab with toppings like black olives, green peppers, and onions. It’s a heavenly pairing, seriously.
While choosing pizza toppings, you can be as creative as you want. Use the same creativity to pair your favourite pie with wine. After all, pizza is about sharing; why not share your pairing ideas with friends and family over a pizza party? With so much deliciousness going on, I bet no one will be judgy.
