It's Pizza Night - How To Choose The Right Wine

Pizza night is one of life's simple pleasures.

Whether it's a homemade Margherita fresh from the oven, a loaded meat feast shared with friends, or a Friday night takeaway enjoyed on the sofa, pizza is one of the world's favourite comfort foods.

But while most people spend time choosing the perfect toppings, few give the same thought to what they're drinking alongside it.

The truth is that the right wine can transform pizza night from good to exceptional.

So, what wine goes with pizza?

The answer depends on what's on top of the pizza. From classic Italian reds and refreshing whites to sparkling wines and rosés, there's a perfect wine pairing for every slice.

Here's our guide to choosing the right wine for your next pizza night.

Why Pizza And Wine Work So Well Together

Pizza combines several flavours and textures that make it surprisingly wine-friendly.

Most pizzas contain:

  • Tomato sauce
  • Cheese
  • Dough
  • Herbs
  • Rich toppings

The acidity in tomatoes, the richness of cheese and the savoury nature of many toppings create a combination that pairs beautifully with a wide range of wines.

The secret is finding a wine that complements rather than overwhelms the pizza.

The Golden Rule Of Pizza Pairing

When choosing wine for pizza, focus on the toppings.

A simple Margherita requires a very different wine from a spicy pepperoni pizza or a meat-heavy feast.

As a general guide:

  • Tomato-based pizzas favour wines with good acidity.
  • Rich meat toppings suit fuller-bodied reds.
  • Seafood pizzas work best with crisp whites.
  • Spicy pizzas benefit from fruit-forward wines.

Best All-Round Wine For Pizza

Chianti

If there is one classic pizza wine, it's Chianti.

Made primarily from the Sangiovese grape in Italy, Chianti offers:

  • Bright cherry flavours
  • Refreshing acidity
  • Moderate tannins
  • Excellent food friendliness

The wine's acidity mirrors the acidity of tomato sauce, creating one of the most natural food pairings in the wine world.

Perfect with:

  • Margherita
  • Pepperoni
  • Meat Feast
  • Vegetarian Pizza

If you're unsure which wine to choose, Chianti is always a safe bet. We love to pair a bottle of Poggio Alla Luna Chianti DOCG Italy with a delicious Margherita.

What Wine Goes With Margherita Pizza?

Margherita is simple, elegant and built around fresh ingredients.

Best wines:

The wine should complement the tomato sauce and mozzarella without overpowering the delicate flavours.

What Wine Goes With Pepperoni Pizza?

Pepperoni brings spice, richness and savoury flavours.

Best wines:

These wines have enough fruit and structure to stand up to the bold toppings.

What Wine Goes With Meat Feast Pizza?

A meat feast pizza is loaded with flavour and demands a wine with plenty of character.

Best wines:

The wine should have enough body to match the richness of the meat.

What Wine Goes With Hawaiian Pizza?

Love it or hate it, Hawaiian pizza creates a unique sweet-and-savoury flavour combination.

Best wines:

The fruit character of these wines complements the sweetness of the pineapple beautifully.

What Wine Goes With Vegetarian Pizza?

Vegetarian pizzas often feature vegetables, herbs and lighter cheeses.

Best wines:

Fresh, versatile wines allow the vegetables to shine.

What Wine Goes With Seafood Pizza?

Seafood toppings require a lighter touch.

Best wines:

These wines enhance the freshness of seafood without overwhelming it.

What Wine Goes With Spicy Pizza?

Spicy toppings such as nduja, chilli chicken or jalapeños require wines that can handle heat.

Best wines:

A touch of fruit sweetness helps balance spice and keeps the palate refreshed.

Best White Wines For Pizza

Red wine often gets all the attention, but many white wines pair beautifully with pizza.

Sauvignon Blanc

Perfect with:

  • Vegetarian pizza
  • Seafood pizza
  • Goat's cheese toppings

An excellent Italian Sauvignon Blanc is San Simone Prestige Sauvignon Blanc Friuli DOC Italy

Chardonnay

Perfect with:

  • Chicken pizza
  • White sauce pizza
  • Creamy toppings

Antech Chardonnay is a beautiful French Chardonnay option.

Pinot Grigio

Perfect with:

  • Light pizzas
  • Seafood toppings
  • Summer pizza nights

In keeping with the Italian theme, a bottle of Fornas Pinot Grigio DOC Friuli Italy is our top pick.

Best Rosé Wines For Pizza

Rosé is one of the most underrated pizza wines.

It combines:

  • Refreshing acidity
  • Fruit flavours
  • Excellent versatility

Perfect with:

  • Pepperoni
  • Hawaiian
  • Vegetarian pizzas
  • Mixed pizza selections

If you're sharing several different pizzas, Rosé is often the safest choice and our go to option in this case would be La Ferme Petit Paul Rose Vin de France Languedoc.

Can You Drink Sparkling Wine With Pizza?

Absolutely.

Sparkling wines offer acidity, freshness and palate-cleansing bubbles that work wonderfully with pizza.

Best choices:

Particularly good with:

  • Fried pizza starters
  • Rich toppings
  • Cheese-heavy pizzas

Pizza and bubbles may sound unusual, but it's a pairing many sommeliers love. Why not pair a delicious bottle of Marsuret Prosecco Treviso Frizzante DOC Italy with your next pizza?

Hosting A Pizza Night? Here's The Ideal Wine Selection

If you're entertaining guests and serving several pizzas, consider offering:

This combination covers almost every topping and ensures there's something for everyone.

Common Pizza And Wine Pairing Mistakes

Avoid:

  • Heavy, tannic red wines with simple pizzas
  • Overly oaked wines
  • Wines that overpower the toppings
  • Ignoring white wines and rosés

Pizza is meant to be fun, relaxed and approachable. Your wine choices should reflect that.

The Best Wines For Takeaway Pizza

When ordering a takeaway, you want wines that are easy-drinking and versatile.

Top choices:

These wines pair well with a wide variety of popular pizza styles.

Final Thoughts

Pizza and wine are a match made in culinary heaven.

The key is matching the wine to the toppings. Chianti remains the classic all-round choice thanks to its bright acidity and Italian heritage, while Malbec, Rioja, Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé all offer excellent alternatives depending on what's on your pizza.

Whether it's a casual takeaway, a homemade pizza party or a weekend gathering with friends, the right bottle of wine can take pizza night to the next level.

At Wines Direct, we source exceptional wines from independent family-run wineries across the world. From food-friendly Italian reds to refreshing whites and versatile rosés, you'll find the perfect bottle for your next pizza night.