Pizza and wine have much in common. They are both readily available and even a “cheap wine” or less-than-stellar pizza can hit the spot when you’ve got a craving. However, investing in quality will mean happier taste buds.
Pizza and wine are also great together. A nice glass of wine can certainly set off the tang of a good tomato sauce or the herbs on a white pie. The difficult task is deciding what wine to pair with your favorite pizza.
The reality is that there are over 10,000 varieties of wine worldwide--and that number is only growing. Although you probably can’t test them all, we’ve put together a few good pairings you may want to try so you can get the most from your meal.
Cheese Pizza with Sauvignon Blanc
The cheese pizza is a classic--and for good reason, it’s delicious. You don’t have heavy toppings to get in the way of the simple taste of the pizza itself. As such, a cheese pizza needs a classic wine too. Sauvignon Blanc may be the ideal choice. However, a simple red wine will also do the trick too.
Pineapple and Bacon Pizza with Sparkling Wine
While the debate will likely continue for years on whether pineapple belongs on pizza, the truth is many people enjoy this fruity, fun twist on a classic. Consider a sparkling wine as the pairing for this pizza. The sparkling variety has just the same fun factor that your pizza does, making it a great fit.
Meat Pizza with Cabernet Sauvignon
If you like loading your pie with sausage, beef, pepperoni, and other meaty toppings, you’ll want a bold wine to balance out the flavors. One of the best to try is a cabernet sauvignon. The flavor should perfectly complement the spices in a meat-filled pie too.
White Pizza with Champagne
A white pizza has an Alfredo or cream-based sauce instead of the traditional tomato. As such, it is much less acidic than your usual pie. Try champagne to give your taste buds a different flavor and feel.
As the musician, author and television personality Henry Rollins once said: “Pizza makes me think that anything is possible.” When you pair your pie with a great glass of wine, we’re sure you’ll be inspired to make magic happen!
