The perfect pizza experience isn't just about the pizza itself—it's also about what you choose to drink alongside it. The right beverage pairing can elevate your pizza from a delicious meal to a memorable dining experience, enhancing flavors and creating harmony between food and drink. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore how to pair s and s with different pizza styles to create perfect flavor combinations.
The Art of Food and Beverage Pairing
Before diving into specific recommendations, let's understand the basic principles that guide successful food and beverage pairings:
Complementary Flavors
Beverages with flavor profiles that complement the dominant tastes in your pizza can create a harmonious experience. For example, a pizza with earthy mushrooms pairs beautifully with a that has similar earthy notes.
Contrasting Elements
Sometimes, contrasts create the most interesting pairings. A crisp, acidic beverage can cut through a rich, cheesy pizza, cleansing your palate between bites.
Regional Pairings
Following the "what grows together goes together" philosophy, regional pairings often work well. Italian s naturally complement traditional Italian-style pizzas because they evolved alongside these foods.
Intensity Matching
Match the intensity of your beverage with the intensity of your pizza. Delicate, light pizzas work better with subtle beverages, while robust, flavorful pizzas can stand up to more assertive drinks.
Sommelier's Tip
Don't be intimidated by "rules" of food and pairing. While guidelines are helpful, personal preference always trumps convention. If you enjoy a particular combination, that's what matters most!
Pairings for Classic Pizza Styles
Margherita Pizza
The simplicity of a Margherita—with its fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and olive oil—pairs beautifully with lighter, crisp s that won't overpower its delicate flavors.
- White Options: Pinot Grigio, Vermentino, Soave
- Red Options: Chianti Classico, Light Sangiovese, Young Barbera
- Rosé Option: Dry Provence-style rosé
- Sparkling Option: Prosecco
Why it works: The bright acidity in these s complements the tomato sauce, while their lighter body doesn't overwhelm the fresh flavors. Chianti's cherry notes and slight herbaceousness particularly enhance the basil and tomato elements.
Pepperoni Pizza
The spicy, savory character of pepperoni demands a with enough body and flavor to stand up to its boldness.
- Red Options: Zinfandel, Primitivo, Syrah, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
- White (Unconventional but Interesting): Off-dry Riesling
- Sparkling Option: Lambrusco (red sparkling from Italy)
Why it works: Zinfandel and Primitivo (genetically the same grape) offer fruity flavors with spicy notes that echo the pepperoni's character. Their moderate tannins help cut through the fat, while their juicy fruit stands up to the spice. Lambrusco's slight effervescence helps cleanse the palate between bites.
White Pizza (Bianca)
Without tomato sauce, white pizzas feature creamy, rich flavors from cheeses, olive oil, and often garlic or herbs.
- White Options: Chardonnay (especially with some oak influence), Viognier, Fiano
- Red Options: Pinot Noir, Frappato
- Sparkling Option: Franciacorta, Champagne
Why it works: The creamy, buttery notes in a lightly oaked Chardonnay complement the richness of the cheese, while maintaining enough acidity to balance the fat. Pinot Noir's silky texture and red fruit flavors provide an interesting contrast without overwhelming.
Mushroom Pizza
The earthy, umami-rich flavors of mushroom pizza call for s with similar characteristics.
- Red Options: Pinot Noir (especially from Burgundy), Nebbiolo, Aged Barolo
- White Options: Aged white Burgundy, Verdicchio
Why it works: Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo both offer earthy, forest floor notes that beautifully complement mushrooms. Their moderate tannins and acidity provide structure without overwhelming the delicate mushroom flavors.
Meat Lovers Pizza
A hearty, protein-packed pizza with multiple meat toppings needs a robust with enough structure to stand up to the rich flavors.
- Red Options: Cabernet Sauvignon, Super Tuscan blends, Nero d'Avola, Malbec
- White Options: Generally not ideal, but a full-bodied Chardonnay could work
Why it works: These fuller-bodied red s have the tannin structure to cut through the fattiness of the meat, while their fruit concentration stands up to the intense savory flavors.
Vegetable Pizza
The pairing depends on the specific vegetables, but generally, s with herbal or vegetable notes work well.
- White Options: Sauvignon Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, Vermentino
- Red Options: Cabernet Franc, Lighter Merlot
- Rosé Option: Dry rosé from Provence or Italy
Why it works: Sauvignon Blanc and Grüner Veltliner often have green, herbal notes that complement vegetable toppings. Cabernet Franc can offer bell pepper and herbal qualities that echo similar flavors in the vegetables.
Pairings for Pizza
is perhaps the most traditional pizza pairing in America, and for good reason—the carbonation helps cleanse the palate, while the maltiness complements the bread crust.
Margherita Pizza
- Classic Option: German Pilsner, Italian Lager (like Peroni or Moretti)
- Craft Option: Belgian Witbier, Kölsch
Why it works: Clean, crisp lagers complement without overwhelming the delicate flavors. Witbier's slight citrus and coriander notes can enhance the fresh basil.
Pepperoni Pizza
- Classic Option: American Pale Ale, Vienna Lager
- Craft Option: IPA (especially West Coast style), American Amber Ale
Why it works: The hoppy bitterness in an IPA cuts through the fat of the pepperoni, while the malty backbone stands up to the spice. Amber ales offer caramel notes that complement the slight char on the pepperoni edges.
White Pizza
- Classic Option: Belgian Blonde Ale, German Helles
- Craft Option: Saison, Farmhouse Ale
Why it works: Belgian blonde ales offer slight sweetness and yeasty notes that complement the cheese and crust. Saisons provide interesting herbal and spice notes that can enhance herbs on the pizza.
Mushroom Pizza
- Classic Option: Brown Ale, Dunkel
- Craft Option: Porter (not too heavy), Flanders Red Ale
Why it works: Brown ales and porters offer roasty, nutty flavors that complement the earthiness of mushrooms. Flanders red ales provide interesting sweet-sour notes that can contrast beautifully.
Meat Lovers Pizza
- Classic Option: Doppelbock, Scotch Ale
- Craft Option: Imperial Red Ale, American Strong Ale
Why it works: These higher-alcohol, malt-forward s have the strength to stand up to multiple meat toppings, with caramel and toffee notes that complement the meat's umami flavors.
Vegetable Pizza
- Classic Option: Czech Pilsner, Hefeweizen
- Craft Option: Gose, Session IPA
Why it works: Hefeweizen's banana and clove notes offer an interesting contrast to vegetable flavors. Gose's slight saltiness and tartness can brighten and enhance vegetable toppings.
Regional Italian Pizza and Pairings
Italian regions have their own traditional pizza styles, and local s have evolved to pair perfectly with them:
Naples: Neapolitan Pizza
Traditional Pairing: Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio (either white or red), Greco di Tufo, Fiano di Avellino
Why it works: These s from the Campania region around Naples have the volcanic minerality and freshness that complement the simplicity of Neapolitan pizza.
Rome: Pizza al Taglio (Roman-style)
Traditional Pairing: Frascati, Cesanese del Piglio
Why it works: Frascati's crisp, citrusy character pairs well with the varied toppings of Roman pizza, while Cesanese offers fruit and spice notes for heartier variations.
Sicily: Sfincione (Sicilian-style)
Traditional Pairing: Nero d'Avola, Etna Rosso, Grillo
Why it works: The robust flavors in Sicilian s stand up to the thicker crust and generous toppings of Sfincione, with Grillo offering a refreshing option for seafood versions.
Non-Alcoholic Pairings
For those who prefer non-alcoholic options, several beverages can complement pizza beautifully:
- Craft Sodas: Artisanal cola, ginger , or root can offer complex flavors that stand up to pizza
- Italian Sodas: Aranciata (orange), Limonata (lemon), or Chinotto offer European flair
- Sparkling Water: With a squeeze of lemon or lime can cleanse the palate between bites
- Non-Alcoholic : Many craft breweries now make excellent non-alcoholic versions that offer 's pizza-friendly qualities without the alcohol
- Kombucha: Particularly ginger or citrus varieties, can offer interesting contrasts to pizza flavors
Hosting a Pizza and Beverage Pairing Party
Want to explore these pairings with friends? Here's how to organize a pizza and beverage tasting event:
- Select 3-4 different pizza styles: Choose contrasting options like Margherita, pepperoni, white pizza, and a vegetable option
- Choose 4-6 beverages: Mix s and s that might work with multiple pizzas
- Prepare tasting sheets: Create simple forms where guests can rate each combination
- Serve in the right order: Start with lighter pizzas and beverages, moving to more robust options
- Provide palate cleansers: Water and plain bread help reset the taste buds between combinations
- Make it interactive: Have guests vote on their favorite combinations and discuss why they work
At Murmur Forest Lane, we believe that pizza is more than just a meal—it's an experience to be savored and enhanced with the perfect beverage pairing. Whether you prefer , , or non-alcoholic options, finding the right match for your favorite pizza can transform an everyday meal into something special.
We invite you to experiment with these pairings and discover your own perfect combinations. After all, the best pairing is ultimately the one that brings you the most pleasure. Cheers to great pizza and the drinks that make it even better!
