Pairing the right wine with your pizza can make all the difference in enhancing the flavors of both the wine and the pizza.
With so many pizza toppings and wine varieties available, it can be challenging to know which wine to choose. However, understanding the flavor profiles of your pizza toppings and how they can interact with the different types of wine can help you make the perfect pairing. By taking the time to choose the right wine for your pizza toppings, you can elevate your entire experience and discover new flavors and tastes you may have never considered before.
I’ve come up with a list (pretty extensive) of some of the most popular pizza toppings and have give you multiple pairing options. Since I typically toss the rulebook out the window, I tried to select white wine options, red wine options, and even some rosé options that can all really work depending on your specific slice.
THE PIZZA TOPPING GUIDE
CHEESE PIZZA
Pair Cheese Pizza With Pinot Noir
When it comes to pairing wine with a regular cheese pizza, you’ll typically want a wine that will complement the cheese and tomato sauce flavors while also refreshing your palate. I couldn’t choose just one, so here are a few wine pairing options.
- Pinot Noir: This light-bodied red wine has a smooth texture and flavors of red fruit that pair well with the acidity of the tomato sauce and the creamy cheese.
Chianti: This Italian red wine is a classic cheese pizza pairing. Chianti’s acidity and tannins cut through the rich cheese and tomato sauce, while its fruity flavors complement the pizza toppings. I’ll break out a variety of different pizza toppings and wine pairings below.
Sauvignon Blanc: If you prefer white wine, try a Sauvignon Blanc. Its high acidity and herbaceous flavors complement the cheese and tomato sauce, while its crispness refreshes your palate between bites.
PEPPERONI
Pair Pepperoni Pizza With Chianti, Barbera, or Zinfandel
When it comes to pairing wine with pepperoni pizza, you’ll want to look for a wine that can stand up to the bold flavors of the pepperoni and tomato sauce, while also complementing the cheese and crust.
A good choice would be a red wine with medium to high acidity and moderate tannins, such as a Chianti, Barbera, or Zinfandel. These wines can help cut through the richness of the cheese and pepperoni, while also balancing out the acidity of the tomato sauce.
If you prefer white wine, a crisp, acidic wine such as a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio can also work well with pepperoni pizza, as they can help cleanse the palate in between slices.
PEPPERS & ONIONS
Pair Pepper & Onion Pizza With Pinot Noir or a Beaujolais
If you’re looking for a wine to pair with your favorite pepper and onion pizza, you’ll want to look for a wine that can complement the sweet and slightly spicy flavors of the peppers and onions, while also balancing the acidity of the tomato sauce and richness of the cheese.
A good choice for red wine would be a lighter-bodied wine with moderate acidity, such as a Pinot Noir or a Beaujolais. These wines have fruity notes that can enhance the flavors of the vegetables and complement the tomato sauce.
For white wine, a dry white wine such as a Chardonnay or a Pinot Grigio can work well with the flavors of the peppers and onions, as they have enough acidity to balance the flavors, but also enough body to stand up to the cheese.
If you want to try something different, you could also consider a rosé wine. A dry rosé, such as a Provence rosé, can complement the sweetness of the peppers and onions, while also providing a refreshing acidity that can cut through the richness of the cheese.
We also have a rosé wine and food pairing article here, if you want to learn more about rosés.
SAUSAGE / MEATBALL
Pair Sausage Pizza With a Chianti or Syrah
If you’re going the sausage pizza route (or even a bacon or meatball pizza), you’ll want to look for a wine that can complement the savory and slightly spicy flavors of the sausage, while also balancing the acidity of the tomato sauce and richness of the cheese.
A good choice for red wine would be a medium-bodied wine with good acidity, such as a Chianti, Syrah, or a Zinfandel. These wines can handle the bold flavors of the sausage, while also complementing the tomato sauce and cheese.
For white wine, a full-bodied white wine such as a Viognier or a Chardonnay can work well with the flavors of the sausage, as they have enough body to stand up to the cheese, while also having enough acidity to balance the flavors.
If you prefer a lighter-bodied wine, a rosé such as a dry Provence rosé can work well with sausage pizza. The acidity and fruitiness of the rosé can complement the flavors of the sausage while also refreshing your delicate palate.
HAWAIIAN PIZZA
Pair Hawaiian (Pineapple & Ham) Pizza With Riesling
Always a highly debatable topic, some people love a Hawaiian pizza while just as many hate it. I don’t mind it – with moderation.
Hawaiian pizza has a truly unique combination of flavors, with salty ham and sweet pineapple. When pairing wine with Hawaiian pizza, you’ll want to choose a wine that can balance these flavors and complement the tomato sauce and cheese.
For a white wine, a great option would be a Riesling. The sweetness in the wine can complement the sweetness in the pineapple while the acidity can cut through the saltiness of the ham. Another option could be a Pinot Grigio, which has crisp acidity that can help balance the flavors of the pizza.
For a red wine, a light-bodied wine such as a Beaujolais or a Pinot Noir can work well with the flavors of Hawaiian pizza. These wines have enough fruitiness to complement the sweetness of the pineapple while their light tannins and acidity can balance the saltiness of the ham.
BBQ CHICKEN PIZZA
Pair BBQ Chicken Pizza With Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon
When it comes to pairing wine with BBQ chicken pizza, you’ll want to look for a wine that can complement the smoky and slightly sweet flavors of the BBQ sauce and chicken, while also balancing the acidity of the tomato sauce and richness of the cheese.
A good choice for red wine would be a medium to full-bodied wine with moderate tannins and good acidity, such as a Zinfandel, Merlot or a Cabernet Sauvignon. These wines have enough body and structure to stand up to the bold flavors of the BBQ sauce and chicken, while also complementing the tomato sauce and cheese.
For white wine, you could consider a slightly sweet wine such as a Riesling or a Gewurztraminer, which can complement the sweetness of the BBQ sauce and chicken, while also balancing the acidity of the tomato sauce.
If you prefer a rosé, you could try a dry rosé such as a Bandol rosé. This wine has enough body and structure to complement the flavors of the pizza, while also providing a refreshing acidity that can cut through the richness of the cheese.
If you’re looking for a fun dry rosé, check out some of our favorite canned rosés perfect for that outdoor BBQ.
RICOTTA PIZZA
Pair Ricotta Pizza With Pinot Noir
When it comes to pairing wine with ricotta pizza, you’ll want to choose a wine that complements the creaminess and mildness of the ricotta cheese while also balancing out the acidity of the tomato sauce.
My favorite choice for a red wine option that pairs well with ricotta pizza is Pinot Noir. This light-medium-bodied red wine has a low tannin content and high acidity, which makes it a versatile pairing for a variety of foods, including pizza. Pinot Noir has a fruity flavor profile with notes of cherry, raspberry, and cranberry that complement the mildness of the ricotta cheese.
If you prefer white wine, a Sauvignon Blanc can be a good choice for ricotta pizza. It has a high acidity and a crisp, refreshing taste that balances out the creaminess of the ricotta cheese. Sauvignon Blanc also has herbaceous and citrus notes that pair well with the tomato sauce.
MARGHERITA PIZZA
Pair Margherita Pizza With Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc
Different than “classic cheese” Margherita pizza is still a total classic, but this one features simple and fresh ingredients like tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil. When pairing wine with Margherita pizza, you’ll want to choose a wine that can complement these simple and delicate flavors without overwhelming them.
For white wine, a good choice would be a dry white wine such as a Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc or a Vermentino. These wines have enough acidity to complement the tomato sauce, while also being light-bodied enough to not overpower the delicate flavors of the pizza.
For red wine, a light-bodied red such as a Chianti or a Barbera can work well with Margherita pizza. These wines have enough acidity to balance the tomato sauce and enough fruitiness to complement the mozzarella cheese.
If you prefer a rosé, a dry rosé such as a Provence rosé can be a great option too. The acidity in the wine can complement the tomato sauce, while the fruitiness can complement the fresh basil.
GARLIC PIZZA
Pair Garlic Pizza With Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio
Vampires beware! Garlic pizza is typically super flavorful and can have a really strong taste of garlic. Go figure!
When pairing wine with garlic pizza, you’ll want to choose a wine that can complement the garlic flavor without being overpowered by it.
For white wine, a good choice would be a crisp and refreshing wine such as a Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Albariño. These wines have a bright acidity that can balance the garlic flavor while refreshing your palate between bites.
For red wine, you could try a medium-bodied wine such as a Chianti or a Pinot Noir. These wines have a good balance of fruitiness and acidity that can complement the garlic flavor without overpowering it.
If you prefer a rosé, a dry rosé such as a Côtes de Provence rosé can be a great option for garlic pizza. The acidity in the wine can complement the garlic flavor, while the fruitiness can balance the richness of the cheese.
SHRIMP PIZZA
Pair Shrimp Pizza With Chardonnay
Not always the most popular, shrimp pizza is a unique option that can have a wide range of flavors depending on the toppings and sauce. Typically shrimp pizza are “white” and won’t have a traditional red sauce. So, you’ll want to choose a wine that can complement the flavors of the shrimp while also balancing the acidity and richness of the pizza.
For white wine, a good choice would be a light-bodied wine such as a Pinot Grigio or a Chardonnay. These wines have a refreshing acidity that can complement the flavors of the shrimp while also balancing the richness of the cheese.
For red wine, you could try a light-bodied red such as a Pinot Noir or a Beaujolais. These wines have enough acidity to complement the flavors of the shrimp while also being light enough to not overpower the delicate flavors of the pizza.
BLACK OLIVE PIZZA
Pair Black Olive Pizza With Syrah or a Tempranillo
I’m 100% not a fan of pizza with black olives on it, but so many of my friends are. So, when pairing wine with black olive pizza, you’ll want to choose a wine that can complement the salty and savory flavors of the pizza.
For red wine, a good choice would be a medium-bodied wine such as a Syrah or a Tempranillo. These wines have enough tannins to balance the saltiness of the black olives, while also having enough fruitiness to complement the tomato sauce.
For white wine, a crisp and refreshing wine such as a Pinot Grigio or a Sauvignon Blanc can be a great option for black olive pizza. These wines have a bright acidity that can complement the saltiness of the olives, while also being light enough to not overpower the delicate flavors of the pizza.
If you prefer a rosé, a dry rosé such as a Grenache or a Cinsault can be a great option for black olive pizza. The acidity in the wine can complement the saltiness of the olives, while the fruitiness can complement the tomato sauce.
In Conclusion
So, there you have it. I hope I’ve helped you successfully pair a decent variety of wines for some of the most popular pizza toppings that are out there.
If there’s a specific topping I haven’t covered, feel free to drop me a line to make a request. Slice it up!
