Choose an Italian wine to pair with pizza: it can be surprising!

Pizza is the symbolic dish of Italy; it is so well-loved that it has been included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Usually enjoyed with a classic beer, pizza can also be enhanced by the right wine.

General rules to remember for the best pizza and wine pairing

The right pizza-wine pairing is determined by the ingredients of the pizza, which should not be overwhelmed by the wines. So, here are some tips to best match your pizza with wine!

Pizza ingredients vary but the common denominator for red pizza is tomato sauce - which is characterized by acidity: pair it with a wine that is not too acidic and which does not have strong tannins that would dehydrate the palate and mask the flavours of the pizza. A white, red, or rosé wine of medium structure will be the most suitable choice.

White pizzas have one or more cheeses; they are best paired with wines of medium structure and acidity that can clean the palate of the fat from the cheese. Rosés, whites, and sparkling wines best match white pizzas.

Richer and more seasoned pizzas need a more structured and evolved wine, while pizzas with more delicate toppings are better paired with younger and simpler wines.

Each pizza has its own wine: 10 pairings with the most popular pizzas

We are used to enjoying pizza with beer, and this certainly works well. However, experienced pizza makers and gourmets increasingly suggest accompanying pizzas with wine. Naturally, for winning and unexpected pairings, the wine should be right for the pizza in question.

Pizza Margherita, classic and loved by all

This pizza is one of the simplest there are. Reminiscent of the colours of the Italian flag, this pizza’s main ingredients are mozzarella, tomato sauce, and basil or oregano. For those who love good red wine, the fruity red Chianti DOCG Tenuta di Campriano is a great choice for pairing with a Margherita pizza. Other recommended choices are the rosé "Pungirosa" Bombino Nero Castel del Monte DOCG 2021 and a Hedos Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo DOP.

Pizza alla Diavola - Pepperoni Pizza

Those who love strong and pungent flavors should try pairing this spicy salami pizza with delicate and fruity wines such as the "Talò" Primitivo di Manduria DOP or the white Gewürztraminer Alto Adige DOC. The Prosecco Rosé is also excellent with a pepperoni pizza.

Tradition and Taste: Ham and Mushroom Pizza

A pizza with cooked ham and mushrooms offers a rustic taste and is popular at all pizzerias. The Pinot Noir and a good Barbaresco wine with well-balanced tannins and acidity enhance the flavours of the pizza without obscuring its ingredients.

Pizza with 4 Cheeses: Queen of White Pizzas

The recipe for this pizza is variable: pizza makers reserve the right to use different cheeses, but mozzarella, parmesan, fontina and gorgonzola are the most commonly used. The latter cheese has an intense and characteristic flavour which goes well with the Lugana Metodo Classico DOC Brut or with a good bottle of Vermentino or Chardonnay. However, Brut sparkling wines are best for cleansing the palate from the oiliness and fatness of cheeses.

Tasty Pizza with Pesto

For lovers of the famous green sauce with basil, pine nuts and garlic, the best pesto pizza combinations will be with the Sauvignon Blanc and the Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC. A sparkling wine that goes perfectly with pesto pizza is the "Doro Nature" Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Millesimato Brut.

Pizza Marinara: the pizza with simple ingredients

This simple pizza made only with tomato sauce, oregano and garlic is vegan: it does not include mozzarella and is also suitable for those who are lactose intolerant. It is a tasty pizza to which anchovies are often added, and it lends itself well to being accompanied by sparkling or fresh red wine such as Lambrusco or Barbera.

A symbol of Italian food: Pizza Capricciosa

Pizza Capricciosa is rich in ingredients: artichokes, mushrooms, ham, olives, anchovies, tomato and mozzarella. The name of this pizza is curious and derives from the fact that every pizza maker reserves the right to add the ingredients they like most, according to their "capriciousness". The wines that best match the capricciosa pizza are the Sangiovese Pugliese and the Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso.

It’s pizza, and it’s healthy: Vegetarian Pizza

For those who prefer pizza with vegetables, Barbera d'Alba, Sauvignon Blanc, Salina Rosato PGI, or a delicious Fiano are the best choices! Franciacorta, on the other hand, is an evergreen to be combined with all the seasonal vegetables that will enrich the pizza.

Delicious and original: Meat Pizz

Those who must have meat, whether it is sausage, bacon, cold cuts or meatballs, can enjoy robust wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah!

Hawaiian Pizza: the exotic pizza

Although pizza with pineapple is a delicate and controversial issue for Italians, we can say that wines which pair well with Hawaiian pizza are Riesling, Prosecco Valdobbiadene, Fiano, Sauvignon Blanc and a good Primitivo.

Now that you know which wines to pair with your favourite pizzas, remember to experiment with the pairings, drink what you like, and let yourself be guided by your personal taste: the experts at Svinando have thought of a rich selection of Italian wines for you!