What Wine Goes with Pizza? A Complete Pairing Guide
From margherita to meat lovers, here's exactly what to pour with your next slice.
Why Pizza and Wine Are a Perfect Match
Pizza is one of those universally loved foods that happens to pair brilliantly with wine. The combination of bread, cheese, sauce, and toppings creates a flavour profile that wine complements naturally. But not all pizzas are created equal — and neither are wine pairings.
Best Wine for Margherita Pizza
A classic margherita is all about simplicity: tomato, mozzarella, basil. You want a wine that doesn't overpower those clean flavours.
Go for: A light-to-medium Italian red like Chianti or Barbera d'Asti. The bright acidity mirrors the tomato sauce, and the earthy notes complement the basil. If you prefer white, try a crisp Vermentino.
Best Wine for Pepperoni or Meat Lovers Pizza
Heavier toppings need a wine with more body and structure to stand up to the spice and fat.
Go for: Zinfandel or Shiraz. Both have bold fruit flavours and enough tannin to cut through the richness of cured meats. An Australian Shiraz from the Barossa Valley is a particularly good match.
Best Wine for BBQ Chicken Pizza
The sweetness of BBQ sauce is the key factor here. You need a wine that can handle that caramelised sugar without tasting flat.
Go for: Malbec or an off-dry Rosé. Malbec's plummy richness complements the smoky sweetness, while a rosé with a touch of residual sugar won't clash with the sauce.
Best Wine for Vegetarian Pizza
Veggie pizzas with roasted capsicum, mushrooms, and olives have earthy, savoury flavours that pair well with medium-bodied wines.
Go for: Pinot Noir or Grenache. Their lighter tannins and earthy undertones are a natural fit. A good-value Côtes du Rhône works beautifully here.
Best Wine for Hawaiian Pizza
Yes, pineapple on pizza is controversial — but pairing it with wine doesn't have to be.
Go for: An off-dry Riesling or Gewürztraminer. The slight sweetness in the wine echoes the pineapple while the acidity keeps everything fresh and balanced.
Quick Reference: Pizza and Wine Pairings
| Pizza Style | Best Red | Best White/Rosé | |---|---|---| | Margherita | Chianti, Barbera | Vermentino | | Pepperoni / Meat | Zinfandel, Shiraz | — | | BBQ Chicken | Malbec | Off-dry Rosé | | Vegetarian | Pinot Noir, Grenache | Soave | | Hawaiian | — | Riesling, Gewürztraminer | | Truffle/Mushroom | Nebbiolo | Chardonnay |
The Golden Rule
Match the weight of the wine to the weight of the pizza. Light toppings = light wine. Heavy, meaty toppings = bold wine. When in doubt, a medium-bodied red with good acidity (like Sangiovese) works with almost any pizza.