The Ultimate Wine-Pizza Pairing: Insights from 5 Top Sommeliers

When it comes to pairing wine with one of the most universally loved foods—pizza—there’s a notable preference among wine experts for sparkling wines. To uncover the best choices, I consulted five sommeliers, chefs, and wine professionals, and they landed on a unanimous selection: sparkling wines.

Why Sparkling Wine is the Top Choice

Tim Bodell, executive chef at Rustic at Francis Ford Coppola Winery, argues that no other type of wine complements the diverse styles and toppings of pizza as well as sparkling wine. The fruity and slightly sweet characteristics of sparkling varieties harmonize excellently with the acidity and sweetness of tomato sauce, which can clash with many other wines.

Pablo Ranea, a chef and sommelier, emphasizes that the effervescence of sparkling wines cuts through the richness of cheesy pizzas, refreshing the palate between bites.

Best Sparkling Wines for Pizza

Experts recommended several types of bubbly, primarily leaning toward Italian varieties:

1. Lambrusco – A fruity red sparkling wine from Emilia-Romagna. Ranea favors Lambrusco for its perfect acidity and ability to pair well with bold toppings like pepperoni or mushrooms.

2. Prosecco – Both Bodell and Wanda Mann, a wine expert, endorse Prosecco for its lightness and ability to enhance classic Margherita flavors. Mann also suggests that rosé Prosecco can be a delightful match for tomato sauces and white pizzas.

3. Franciacorta – This Italian bubbly, made using the same method as Champagne, is recommended by John Mitchell, a wine director at Soby’s New South. Its balance of richness and acidity makes it a great companion for cheesy varieties.

4. Sparkling Rosé – Belinda Chang prefers sparkling rosé for pizzas loaded with meats and briny flavors, stating that the fruitiness helps balance the tomato and toppings’ bitterness.

Alternative Wine Pairings

If sparkling isn’t your style, these alternative wines also pair well with pizza:

• Trivento’s White Malbec – An Argentinian wine praised by Ranea for its fresh, vibrant characteristics that brighten pizzas with fresh ingredients.

• Côtes du Rhône – A lighter French red that Mitchell recommends for richer, gamey pizzas like those topped with sausage or pepperoni, as it won’t overpower the dish.

For a harmonious pizza night, spark up a bottle of sparkling wine or explore these alternative options to enjoy a delightful food pairing experience.

About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!