Pairing wine with food improves any dining experience, whether that’s enjoying a steak at The Capital Grille, the Macadamia Crusted Halibut at Wildfire, or a slice of heaven at Pequod’s Pizza. Wine experts will go into dizzying detail as to what wine goes best with what dish, but don’t fret. We want to make it simple for you to select the perfect glass of wine to go with your favorite pizza. Join us as we explore wine and pizza pairings that will tantalize your taste buds and enhance your dining experience.
Is Pizza Better With White or Red Wine?
As a general rule, white wine pairs best with seafood, chicken, and pork, while red wine goes best with beef, lamb, and pork. Pizza combines bread, cheese, and sauce with toppings that range from vegetables to cured meats and more. This variety of ingredients makes wine pairing with pizza slightly more challenging.
Let’s start with the red sauce, since almost every pizza uses one. Red wines naturally pair well with tomato sauce. Now, consider your toppings. If you keep it simple with a cheese pizza, a lighter red, such as our Dreaming Tree Pinot Noir or 7 Moons Darkside Red Blend, will pair nicely. If you intend to add meatballs, a bolder Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet will be better.
If you prefer spicier toppings such as pepperoni, jalapeño, sausage, and pepperoncini, you should consider sweeter wines, including our Mezzacorona Cliffhanger Pinot Grigio. Since pepperoni and sausage have a high fat content, you can also use cabernet to clean the palate and freshen your taste buds for every bite. If you can’t resist the famous Tripping Billy pizza, our Robert Mondavi Chardonnay and Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc complement the rich, spicy flavor of the shishito pepper cream sauce.
White pizzas ditch the tomato sauce in favor of olive oil, garlic, fresh herbs, and cheeses such as mozzarella, feta, parmesan, and ricotta. Toppings often consist of veggies such as spinach and broccoli or cured meats, including soppressata and prosciutto. Wine pairing with this style of pizza focuses on the creaminess of the cheese and the savoriness of the herbs. Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio wines go well with lighter cheeses and crisp vegetables. Chardonnay and Cabernet are better with stronger, aged cheeses and meats. A tasty Chianti will pair nicely with fresh herbs such as basil, oregano, and marjoram.
Wine experts will tell you about the many rules for pairing wine with food for the best experience. We firmly believe in one rule — drink what you like with our delicious pizza.
Classic Cheese With Pinot Noir, Chianti, and Friends
Most Pinot Noir wines have a light, silky smooth, fruit-forward flavor profile that makes them a natural partner for the classic cheese pizza. Italian wines, such as Chianti, have more depth to them, with dark fruit flavors such as cherries and plums. Some Chianti wines also have earthy flavors with hints of dried herbs and smoke. These complex flavors blend well with a classic cheese pizza.
Pepperoni and Bold, Spicy Reds
Cured meat toppings such as pepperoni, soppressata, and salami have a high fat content that renders when cooked. In food, fat is flavor, and rendered fat needs a big, bold wine with a high tannin content to remove the fat coating your tongue and palate when you eat. Cabernet wines have high tannins and pair perfectly with fatty foods. Experts love to pair regional food and wine. You may consider Italian varietals such as Barolo, Amarone, and Sangiovese. These wines have excellent tannin structures to pair with these Italian cured meats.
Veggie Pies and Crisp, Chillable Wines
Although vegetables, such as peppers, onions, and jalapeños, add a crispiness to every bite, they don’t have the fat content of cured meats. You’ll want a softer wine that won’t dominate your palate. A dry, sparkling rosé wine brings a brightness to your meal and pairs well with these crisp veggies. A good Pinot Grigio wine presents crisp, tart citrus and apple flavors. This light-bodied wine drinks easily and goes well with veggie pies.
If you lean towards mushrooms or olives with a softer texture and more savory flavors, a tasty Pinot Noir or Chianti will elevate your dining experience. Look for wines with earthy, peppery tasting notes to enhance these savory veggies.
What’s the Best Drink With Pizza?
We always recommend you drink what you like. Wine offers you the opportunity to elevate your dining experience, but other drinks can too. Beer has long been a friend of pizza, and a good lager or pale ale can balance spicy toppings. A crisp pilsner beer has a brightness that matches well with veggies. Cocktails can also pair well, such as a margarita if you sit down to a Mexican pizza. A good bourbon old fashioned or whiskey sour cocktail will pair well with a barbecue chicken pizza.
Wine still tops our list of the best drinks with pizza, offering plenty of options. Sauvignon Blanc wines have bright citrus and grassy flavors that work well with veggie pizzas. If you enjoy sweet wines and spicy vegetable toppings such as jalapeños and pepperoncini, a Moscato or Riesling wine offers crisp sweetness that balances the fieriness. A meat lover’s pizza demands a bold, high-tannin red such as Cabernet or Sirah. These wines help clean your palate, so your taste buds remain fresh for every bite.
Visit Pequod’s Pizza in Chicago
At Pequod’s Pizza, we know what pizza lovers want and what wine pairs best. Although our signature caramelized crust and premium toppings have received national acclaim, anyone living in Chicago, Illinois, knows where to find the best deep-dish pizza. We also serve appetizers, salads, and sandwiches such as the Italian Beef on our menu.
We invite you to make a reservation for your next night out with friends, family, or coworkers. Once here, one of our friendly staff members will help you find the best wine to pair with pizza so you can relax and enjoy an elevated dining experience.
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