Pizza is easily one of the most delicious foods out there. With a crisp crust, delicious cheese, and tangy tomato sauce, it’s also one of the more versatile dishes. It can go with pretty much any beverage—any soda, beer, or even wine.
Whether you’re enjoying pizza with friends at a bar or you’re out for a romantic dinner, pizza is an excellent choice that most people love to indulge in. With various toppings that are appealing to just about anyone, they make a great duo with wine. Here’s what you need to know about the most delicious ways to pair wine with pizza:
Matching Pizza With Wine
Although pizza is straightforward to most people, the same can’t be said for wine. However, when it comes to pairing the two, it’s actually more straightforward than you think!
For best results, pair a wine that has the same intensity as the pizza. It would be easy to overpower each other if they didn’t match in the flavor’s power, so ensure that they equal in that regard. The wine should be sweeter and more acidic than the pizza to allow the flavors to complement each other. As most pizzas come with fatty cheese and zesty tomatoes, the wine’s acidity balances these flavors out very well.
Consider Your Toppings
You’ll also want to consider the toppings on your pizza and how well they’ll match a wine. Lighter pizzas or pizzas with fewer toppings or ones that consist mainly of vegetables do best with white or light red wines. Wine’s weight must always match what you’re eating so that you get the full experience of both food and beverage!
If you like to enjoy meat on your pizza, then the same rules apply: red meat on your pizza should be paired with red wine, and white meat or seafood must be paired with white wine. If you want to pair a hearty, meat-filled pizza, pair it with a bitter wine to counter the fattiness.
Famous Pairings
You might have a pizza in mind that you’d want to pair with wine. Here’s our guide to famous pairings of pizza and wine:
Hawaiian Pizza
This sweet and salty pizza can be fairly controversial because of its use of pineapple. Still, the famous dish remains a crowd favorite nonetheless. The sweet punch of the fruit paired with ham’s saltiness goes excellently with a glass of sweet wine, like a Riesling. The acidity of other wines, like a Prosecco or Sauvignon Blanc, works just as well. However, you’ll want to avoid rich and fruity red wines like Merlot or Shiraz.
Cheese Pizza
The traditional cheese pizza may consist of simple ingredients, but it’s a timeless classic for a reason. This pizza is best paired with light or medium-bodied wines with creamy, rich mozzarella and succulent, tasty tomato sauce. Pinot Grigio or rosé are excellent choices, as they’re light yet zesty enough to elevate the pizza’s flavors.
Barbeque Chicken Pizza
Barbeque chicken pizza, featuring smoky and sweet flavors, goes very well with the fruitiness of a Chardonnay, Dolcetto, or a Pinot Noir. The wines take the elements of the pizza to the next level without overpowering its signature taste.
Veggie Supreme Pizza
A light pizza that consists mostly of vegetables, light wines like a Prosecco, rosé, or Sauvignon Blanc are ideal wines to pair with it. The wines are acidic and sweet enough to harmonize with the light flavors of our Veggie Supreme pizza.
Meat Supreme Pizza
Lastly, for those who love our Meat Supreme pizza’s indulgent, hearty flavors, you’ll need a wine that cuts its fattiness while matching its intensity. That honor goes to Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, or Shiraz. Its tannins go well with the abundance of meat, while its fruity notes add another dimension to the pizza’s overall flavor.
Conclusion
Although many people associate pizza with craft beer, it goes just as well with wine. Given the variety of toppings on pizzas and the different kinds of wines available, the possibilities are endless when pairing the two together. Now that you know how to match pizza and wine, you can try new ways to enjoy an old favorite.
Looking for pizza places in Dyer? Visit us at Doreen’s Pizza! We are a restaurant that first opened in 1986 in south Chicago. With our second location in Indiana, we’re happy to bring you a wide variety of delicious pizza and food. We also offer delivery, carry out, dine-in, and catering. Order your next pizza with us today!