4 Perfect Pizza and Wine Pairings

A new year signals fresh starts and the pursuit of simple pleasures—and few things are more universally beloved than the symphony of pizza and wine. While pizza is always in season, winter invites a cozier ritual: kneading dough in a warm kitchen or savoring a piping-hot pie fresh from your local pizzeria. Elevate this comforting experience by pairing your pizza with the perfect wine. These inspired combinations promise to turn any slice into a masterpiece.

1. The Perfect Wine for Pizza Margherita

The Margherita pizza: timeless, elegant, and proof that less is more. With its juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil, it’s an ode to simplicity. To complement its bright and balanced flavors, reach for a crisp, unoaked white wine that can mirror the tomato’s zing and the cheese’s lush texture. Italian whites like Vernaccia, Grechetto, or Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi are culinary soulmates, offering a lively acidity that cuts through every bite with refreshing finesse.

Recommended Pairings:

Feudi di San Gregorio Fiano di Avellino - Its vibrant acidity and subtle minerality harmonize beautifully with the tomato's tanginess and mozzarella's creaminess 

Antonelli Grechetto, Umbria – Bright and full of orchard fruit notes.

Pieropan Soave Classico – A zesty and fruit classic.

Pro Tip: Add a drizzle of pesto to your Margherita for a herbal twist that sings with these wines.

2. The Perfect Wine for Pizza con Prosciutto

Imagine the salty-sweet interplay of prosciutto and melted cheese, underscored by the tang of ripe tomato sauce. This iconic combination begs for Sangiovese, the versatile red grape of Tuscany. Whether you choose a Chianti Classico or a Sangiovese from Emilia-Romagna, its bright cherry flavors, subtle tannins, and lively acidity cut through the richness while letting the savory notes shine.

Recommended Pairings:

Fontodi Chianti Classico
A classic choice; earthy undertones and vibrant acidity balance the saltiness of prosciutto.

Cleto Chiarli lambrusco Grasparossa (Emilia-Romagna, Italy)
Dark berry flavors and a touch of sweetness that complements the salt and fat of the prosciutto. 

Montepulciano d’AbruzzoBlack cherries, plums, and a touch of spice to balance the prosciutto’s savory notes.

3. The Perfect Wine for Vegetable Pizza

Vegetable pizzas are canvases for vibrant, earthy flavors. Whether loaded with mushrooms, roasted peppers, or caramelized onions, they demand wines as dynamic as their toppings. For reds, think light and aromatic: Pinot Nero or Schiava from northern Italy bring an ethereal touch. On the white side, Vermentino’s citrusy brightness or Arneis’s floral elegance offer a perfect counterbalance. And for a bit of sparkle? Try a Trento doc or Alta Langa to add effervescence to every bite.

Recommended Pairings:

Elena Walch Schiava, Alto Adige – Silky, floral, and utterly charming.

Chiesa Roero Arneis Quin, Santo Stefano Roero – A fragrant, textural delight.

Deltetto Alta Langa Brut, Piedmont – Effervescent perfection with a creamy finish.

Pro Tip: Grilled vegetables love a touch of smokiness in your wine—let this guide your choice.

4. The Perfect Wine for Quattro Formaggi Pizza

Four-cheese pizza is the ultimate indulgence: rich, gooey, and unapologetically decadent. The perfect pairing needs to be just as bold. For whites, Gavi and Timorasso from Piedmont bring enough body and acidity to balance the luxurious cheeses. If you prefer red, Sicily’s Frappato—light, aromatic, and a bit of a hidden gem—offers a delightful contrast that doesn’t overwhelm.

Recommended Pairings:

Michele Chiarlo Gavi Le Marne (Piedmont, Italy)
With its crisp acidity and minerality, Gavi is an elegant partner for the pizza’s rich, cheesy flavors

Chardonnay (Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy)
An unoaked or lightly oaked Chardonnay adds body and a touch of creaminess to balance the cheese.

Frappato (Sicily, Italy)
This light-bodied red with red berry notes and floral undertones provides contrast to the richness of the cheese.

Pro Tip: A drizzle of honey over your four-cheese pizza enhances the pairing with Frappato’s subtle sweetness.

Final Slice of Advice

Pizza night isn’t just about feeding your cravings; it’s a chance to experiment, explore, and elevate your palate. The right wine can transform an everyday meal into a celebration of flavor and craftsmanship. So go ahead, pour yourself a glass and let your pizza (and taste buds) shine. Cheers to savoring life’s simplest pleasures in the most delicious way possible.