When you think of a slice of pizza, you're probably imagining a relaxed, casual meal, maybe enjoyed with friends while watching a movie.
And when you imagine a bottle of wine, you might imagine something a little more formal, maybe a white tablecloth and some mood lighting.
But why not combine these two equally delicious worlds?
After all, it's more comfortable to be relaxed at home than at a fancy dinner, and at the same time, wine is better for your health than most sodas, so it's really only natural that wine and pizza go together perfectly.
Plus, pizza is an Italian dish, and we all know how well wine goes with those!
However, if you're going to pair wine and pizza, you might as well do it right. Depending on your pizza toppings, different wines will complement the best.
Because everyone loves pizza, wine experts and enthusiasts have been working hard to pass on their pairing knowledge to the world, and now we're passing it on to you!
So the next time you want a date night or a girls' night but don't feel like dressing up, pick up a bottle of wine and order a pizza for a perfectly cozy time.
Pairing #1: Cheese Pizza & Sauvingnon Blanc
Classic pizza needs a classic wine, and sauvignon blanc is the perfect classic wine to pair with plain pizza.
Of course, since pizza is magical, a plain slice can pair nicely with other wines, too, including lighter red wines.
Pairing #2: Hawaiian Pizza & Sparkling Wine
A sparkling wine, especially one that's more on the dry side, will complement the sweetness of the ham-and-pineapple Hawaiian pizza.
Something on the sweet side will be too sweet an experience, so stick with something dry.
Pairing #3: Meat Lover's Pizza & Cabernet Sauvignon
Meat pizzas are super rich, and so a rich and bold red wine is what you need to go along with it, and cabernet sauvignon is perfect.
Its velvety taste is also great for highlighting the spices that go into sausages and meatballs.
Pairing #4: Veggie Lover's Pizza & Chardonnay
Normally, chardonnay is a little rich for vegetables.
A veggie lover's pizza comes with a lot of vegetables, and most are roasted and have soaked up the flavor of the cheese and sauce, so a richer wine is OK in this case.
Pairing #5: Pepperoni Pizza & Shiraz
Pepperoni is a strong, bold flavor, and needs a bolder wine to go along with it.
Shiraz (also known as "syrah") wines are rich, dark, and fruity, and are a great complement to spicy pepperoni. They also work well with sausage pizzas.
Pairing #6: Mushroom Pizza & Rosé
Mushrooms have a delicate flavor, so it's key to not choose a wine that will overpower them.
A delicate rosé is a great choice, because it's bold enough to stand up to the sauce and cheese, but won't overpower the mushrooms.
Pairing #7: Anchovy Pizza & Pinot Grigio
Pinot grigio is a clean-tasting white wine that pairs perfectly with seafood, so pairing this with anchovy pizza is perfect.
The dryness won't be too much of a clash with the salty anchovy flavor, but will still feel refreshing and cleansing.
Pairing #8: Extra Cheese Pizza & Zinfandel
Zinfandel is fruity and on the acidic side, which works in its favor when you're eating a lot of cheese.
The acidity will serve as a palate-cleanser and feel refreshing after a mouthful of gooey cheese.
Pairing #9: Sausage & Pepper Pizza & Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is bold enough to take on the spicy, rich flavor of sausage, but it's also nice with the juicy roasted peppers.
As a bonus, the cheese will bring out the pinot's "creamy" notes, which also make it a good pairing choice for white pizza.
Pairing #10: Barbecue Chicken Pizza & Sangiovese
Barbecue sauce is a bold, powerful flavor that totally takes over the rest of the pizza, and so you're definitely going to need a bold wine to go along with it.
Sangiovese makes for a great pairing, and is also great for cleansing the palate.
Do you have a favorite wine and pizza pairing?
It doesn't have to be a conventional one. Let us know what you love to drink with your favorite slice, and SHARE these tips for the perfect night in with all your friends!
