Pizza and wine pairing rules
Red wine with pizza? White wine?
Does white wine go well with pizza? Or maybe red wine would go well with it? Pisa is less juicy in the mouth, so it is easier to pair with white wine or sparkling wine than red wine. We also recommend rosé wine. It is best to avoid red wines with strong tannins. If you want to pair it with red wine, we recommend choosing a red wine with a light flavor. Also, if you have a pizza with rich toppings, you can pair it with a reasonably strong red wine.Pairing wine for each pizza category
Pizza can be broadly divided into those with tomato sauce and those without. Pizza with tomato sauce is called ``rossa'' (meaning red), and pizza without tomato sauce is called ``bianca'' (meaning white). Rossa's pizza has the sourness of tomatoes. Therefore, wine with strong acidity will emphasize the sourness of tomatoes even more. A wine with medium acidity is recommended. Bianca's pizzas usually have a lot of cheese, even though they don't use tomato sauce. Hence the fat content of cheese. Therefore, a white wine with strong acidity that neutralizes the fat content is a good match.Pairing wine for each pizza topping
The taste of pizza changes considerably depending on the toppings. A pizza with delicate flavors or simple toppings is best paired with a young wine with a less complex aroma. Also, pizza with various toppings can be enjoyed deliciously by pairing it with a slightly stronger-bodied wine. Here we will introduce recommended wines for each type of pizza.Wine that goes well with margherita
The classic pizza is the Margherita. This pizza is likened to the colors of the Italian flag and is topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and basil. It was baked in 1889 for Princess Margherita of the Kingdom of Italy, who was visiting Naples at the time, and the queen liked it, hence the name. Margherita is the most popular pizza in Italy. Greco di Tuofo is perfect for a simple margherita. The combination of wine from Campania, where Naples is located, and pizza born in Naples is the perfect marriage.
Tenuta Ponte's Greco di Tufo has a gorgeous bouquet and a soft taste. Not too acidic, with a firm structure, yet delicate and balanced. It is crisp, dry, and elegant.
Wines that go well with Quattro Formaggi
``Quattro Formaggi'' is Bianca's signature pizza that does not use tomato sauce. Quattro means 4 and formaggi means cheese, literally a pizza topped with four types of cheese. Traditional quattro formaggi uses mozzarella, fontina, gorgonzola and parmesan. Pair the cheesy Quattro Formaggi with Friulano Collio from Northern Italy.
Conti Formentini's Furlana Friulano Collio is an aromatic wine with a flowery aroma and hints of almond and honey. The texture is smooth, soft, and has a pleasant taste.
Le Vigne di Zamo Colli Orientali del Friuli Friulano 750ml, white
Wine that goes well with Pizza Napoli
Pizza Napoli, named after Naples, the birthplace of pizza, is topped with tomato sauce, anchovies, capers, and garlic. The salty taste of anchovies and capers can be harmonized with a salty wine. Also, the acidity of the wine matches the saltiness of the pizza, creating a perfect marriage between wine and pizza. Since the pizza is called Napoli, we recommend Falanghina, a wine made in the Campania region where Naples is located.
Vinosia's Falanghina has a refreshing aroma with citrus scents such as grapefruit and lime, and hints of jasmine. It has a strong acidity and minerality, and a well-defined flavor.
Vinosia Falanghina [2022] 750ml White Wine
Quintodecimo/Via del Campo Falanghina [2022] White wine 750ml
Wine that goes well with vegetarian pizza
Pizza with tomato sauce and mozzarella topped with plenty of vegetables allows you to enjoy the delicious flavor of vegetables, and is also healthy. Top with a variety of vegetables such as eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and onions. Pair your vegetable pizza with rosé wine. The sweetness of the vegetables and the acidity of the rosé balance it out just right.
Corvo Rose from Duca di Salapaluta in Sicily is a fresh wine with just the right amount of acidity, giving you the feeling of the Sicilian sun. It has a fruity flavor with hints of raspberry and a rich flavor.
Wine that goes well with Capricciosa
Capricciosa, as its name suggests, is a pizza topped with various toppings. Classic toppings include tomato sauce, mozzarella, ham, mushrooms, black olives, and oil-soaked artichokes. This pizza has a rich flavor because it has a lot of ingredients on it. Therefore, the wine to be paired with is red wine. Among them, Ripasso, which is rich in aroma, is recommended. Ripasso is a wine made in the Valpolicella region, home of the Amarone della Valpolicella that wine lovers fall in love with. Ripasso means "to do it again," and Ripasso is made by alcoholic fermentation, then adding Amarone lees and fermenting it again. Ripasso is a popular wine because it is modest in price but allows you to enjoy the flavor of high-quality Amarone wine.
Corteforte's Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore has aromas of dark fruits such as prunes and black currants, and spices such as tanned leather and pepper, and these complex aromas can be felt in the taste. It has a solid body and richness.
Corteforte Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore [2017] 750ml, Red
Wine that goes well with salsiccia and mushroom pizza
Salsiccia, which originated in Italy, is stuffed with pork and spices. Salsiccia making is also a bit of a boom these days. It has a rich flavor and allows you to enjoy the flavor of the meat itself. It goes particularly well with mushrooms, making salsiccia and mushroom pizza a very flavorful pizza. For a salsiccia pizza with a strong flavor, choose a wine with a strong flavor as well. Primitivo from Southern Italy is especially recommended. Primitivo's ripe fruit flavor matches the strong flavor of salsiccia.
Masseria Li Veri's Orion Primitivo Salento is aromatic and mellow on the palate, with aromas of ripe cherries, cinnamon and nutmeg.
