Looking to discover the perfect wine to pair with your pizza? You’ve come to the right place. This guide is your ticket to exploring the delightful fusion of Bacchus’s nectar and one of the world’s most cherished culinary creations.
Pizza, with its rich history interwoven with culture and tradition, has deep roots that stretch back through time. The iconic Pizza Margherita showcases the colors of the Italian flag: the red of tomatoes, the white of mozzarella, and the green of basil. However, pizza’s origins stretch further back, tracing its heritage to ancient Rome, where various toppings adorned flatbreads, delighting even the most discerning palates.
In the 18th century, downtown Naples, pizza had already become the undisputed star of everyday dining. Local bakers, creating and baking these street delights, unknowingly initiated a tradition destined to spread worldwide. In 2017, the Neapolitan pizza earned recognition as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, signifying its cultural, historical, and gastronomic importance.
Pizza and wine: a delightful possibility
The enigmatic aspect of the history of pizza lies in the absence of a traditional pairing with wine. This may come as a surprise, but in the past, wine was a luxury reserved for the nobility and clergy, while pizza was a pleasure accessible to all. Over time, the harmonious marriage of pizza and wine gained popularity, reflecting the evolution of culinary tastes and habits. Nevertheless, there are still relatively few pizzerias that offer an extensive wine selection to complement their offerings and share the joys of unique and delectable pairings.
Contrary to expectations, the acidity of tomatoes is not an obstacle to pairing with wine. In fact, pizza, with its carbohydrate-rich, slightly sweet crust, complemented by melty mozzarella and extra virgin olive oil, forms a balanced and complex dish that readily harmonizes with a wide range of wines.
For White Wine Enthusiasts
If you favor fresh, savory, delicate, and youthful white wines like Falanghina, Verdicchio, Lugana, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Vermentino, Pallagrello Bianco, and Costa d’Amalfi, look no further than the iconic Pizza Margherita. This classic combination promises an explosion of flavors and pure pleasure.
For more complex pizzas featuring ingredients such as cheese, sausage, potatoes, mushrooms, or various vegetables, opt for white wines with more structure like Chardonnay, Greco di Tufo, Fiano d’Avellino, Timorasso, Sauvignon Blanc, and once again, Verdicchio and Vernaccia di San Gimignano in their Riserva versions.
The Renaissance of Rosé Wines
RosĂ© wines, known for their freshness and versatility, are suitable for nearly every pizza type. Italy, from north to south, offers an array of labels and shades of pink, with options like Chiaretto del Garda, Negramaro di Puglia, Sangiovese in various rosĂ© variations, Cerasuolo d’Abbruzzo, Syrah di Cortona, Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio, Cirò in Calabria, and many more to choose from. The possibilities are truly endless and always delightful.
For Red Wine Aficionados
Red wine lovers have have numerous options, especially for heavily topped pizzas with cold cuts, sausages, different cheeses, sausage, peppers, or mushrooms. Consider soft to medium-structured wines like Piedirosso, Lacrima di Morro d’Alba, Primitivo, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and even Valpolicella Classico.
For those who truly relish bold tannins, we suggest indulging in dynamic and invigorating reds like Chianti Colline Pisane, Rosso di Montalcino, Rosso di Montepulciano, Etna Rosso, and let’s not forget the robust and yet fresh options of Aglianico from Ischia or Irpinia Campi Taurasini.
For those who crave effervescence
If you’re not ready to part with the fizzy embrace reminiscent of beer, there are several wine alternatives. White wine enthusiasts can explore Asprinio d’Aversa, a dry, citric wine from Campania, Italy, often grown among majestic poplars. Its sparkling version, light, fresh, and lively, pairs beautifully even with fried pizza.
Staying true to tradition, Gragnano is an excellent choice for committed red wine lovers. This effervescent Campanian wine results from a skillful blend of eight grape varieties and was praised by writer Mario Soldati in his famous book ‘Vino al Vino.’ Gragnano is fresh, rich in delicate aromas, and exceedingly pleasant, effortlessly enhancing every bite.
The Universal Pairing: Champagne
When faced with a variety of pizzas, wine choice may become overwhelming. Champagne then it the one bottle that unites everyone. Known and appriciated for its sparkling freshness and versatility, Champagne is the perfect companion to the aromatic and diverse flavors of any pizza. Other alternatives like Franciacorta, Trento DOC, or Alta Langa offer equally satisfying options. It is fair to say however that Champagne is to sparkling wines what Verace Pizza Napoletana is to all other pizza variations worldwide. Cheers to the perfect pairing!
© Riproduzione riservata
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