What's the best Okanagan wine to pair with pizza?

Pizza is a universally loved food, and it’s no surprise why. It is versatile, delicious, and can be customized to suit anyone’s taste. For decades, wine and pizza lovers have been experimenting to find the right wine to pair with pizza. Whether you’re enjoying a slice of pepperoni pizza or a vegetarian pizza, there’s an Okanagan wine that can perfectly complement your meal. But what are the best Okanagan wines to drink when eating pizza? 

Are there general rules for choosing a wine to pair with pizza?

Before diving into specific pizza and wine pairings, it’s good to acknowledge the general guidelines for pairing wine and pizza that can enhance the flavours of both. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Match the weight of the wine with the weight of the pizza. Heavy, tannic red wines can overpower the flavours of a lighter pizza, making it difficult to fully appreciate either. When thinking about red wines and pizza, a lighter pizza will pair well with reds with a lighter body and lower tannins such as Pinot Noir. Heavier, meaty pizzas can handle full-bodied wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec. 
2. Consider the toppings on the pizza. As mentioned above, a heavier pizza with meats, tomato sauce and cheese pairs well with a red wine, while a pizza with lighter toppings such as a margherita or even a white pizza with vegetables or seafood pairs well with a white wine. Spicy toppings can be balanced with a fruity white wine like a sweeter Riesling or Gewurztraminer.
3. Think about the acidity of the wine.A wine with high acidity such as a Sauvignon Blanc can cut through the richness of cheese and tomato sauce, making it a good wine to pair with pizza. 
4. Consider the temperature of the wine. A chilled white wine or sparkling wine can be a refreshing complement to a hot pizza, while a red wine at room temperature can be a cozy pizza and wine pairing on a cold night.

Remember, these are just guidelines and personal preference plays a big role in choosing the right wine to pair with pizza.

Pairing pizza with your favourite Okanagan wine

Whether your favourite Okanagan wine is red, white, rosé or sparkling, there is a perfect wine and pizza pairing to make the meal a match made in heaven. 

Red wine to pair with pizza

When most people think of a harmonious wine pairing with pizza, they would automatically reach for a bottle of red. And for good reason! Red wine is an exceptional match for many types of pizza, however some can be a better red wine to pair with pizza than others. 

• Pinot Noir is a classic light-bodied red wine that is known for its delicate flavours of red fruit and earthy undertones. It is a very versatile red wine to pair with pizza. Dirty Laundry’sPinot Noir can hold up to some bigger flavours making it an excellent wine to pair with pizza, especially those with toppings like mushrooms, sausage, and pepperoni. Pinot Noir is also a good choice for vegetarian pizza because its light and fruity flavours complement the mild and fresh flavours of the vegetables. 
• Malbec is a medium to full-bodied red wine that is known for its dark fruit flavours and smoky undertones. It typically has high tannins and a bold flavour profile, making it a suitable red wine to pair with pizza with heavier toppings like meat or BBQ sauce. OurMalbec is a delicious wine to pair with pizza that has a spicy kick.
• Syrah is a red wine typically from the Rhône region of France. While Dirty Laundry’sKay Syrah sources award winning Syrah fruit from Oliver, BC, it is co-fermented with 5% Viognier skins that have already had the juice pressed off, a technique echoing Syrah and Viognier’s heritage in the Rhône Valley. Kay Syrah has a medium-soft tannin structure with flavours of violet, ripe plum, dark cherry, pepper, and spice. It is a full-bodied red wine with rich, spicy, and fruity flavours and is a perfect red wine to pair with pizza when bold and savoury flavours are present. Think BBQ pizza, meat lover's pizza, and spicy vegetable pizza.

White wine and pizza

While red wine is the traditional choice for pizza, white wine can also be an exceptional pairing. White wines are particularly good for lighter pizzas, like those with a white sauce or topped with vegetables. White wines that are crisp, light and refreshing, with high acidity and fresh fruit flavours pair beautifully with fresh-topping pizzas. 

• Chardonnay is a white wine that is known for being full-bodied with a rich, buttery flavour profile. Dirty Laundry’sReserve Chardonnay pairs well with white sauces such as those found on alfredo pizza, or a pizza with creamy or cheesy toppings because its creaminess complements the cheese, while its fruitiness adds a subtle sweetness to the pizza. A bold Chardonnay can also pair nicely with a pizza loaded with garlic or herbs. 
• Pinot Gris is usually light-bodied, crisp and on the drier side. OurPinot Gris is an excellent wine to pair with margherita pizza as the wine’s bright acidity and refreshing flavours of pear and green apple can help cut through the richness of the cheese and complement the tomato sauce, while its lightness doesn’t overpower the delicate flavours of the pizza.
• Sauvignon Blancis a white wine that is known for being light-bodied with high acidity and citrus flavours. Pairing Dirty Laundry’sSauvignon Blanc with veggie-loaded pizza is a superior choice because the wine’s acidity complements the vegetables, while its tropical and citrus fruitiness adds a refreshing note to the pizza. 
• Riesling has a range of flavours and can be dry or sweet therefore making it a versatile wine that can pair well with many types of pizza. Dirty Laundry’sRiesling has been produced in the drier style, and will therefore complement a pizza with light to medium-weight toppings such as a white pizza with roasted vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers. 
• Gewurztraminer has a distinctive floral and spicy aroma. It pairs particularly well with pizza toppings that have a slightly sweet and spicy flavour profile such as caramelised onions or spicy sausage. Both of our Gewurztraminer wines -Woo Woo andMadam’s - would pair well with a pizza that’s more on the spicy side. 

Rosé and pizza

Roséis a versatile wine that can be light and refreshing or full-bodied and complex, depending on the style and the grape varieties used. If you have a lighter style of rosé wine, go for a lighter pizza, such as a vegetarian or margherita. If you have a bolder rosé wine, try pairing it with a pizza that has heartier toppings, like sausage or pepperoni. Our2022 Hush Rosé is a light to medium bodied wine with a crisp and balanced acidity on the finish, translating to an excellent pairing for vegetarian pizza. 

Sparkling wine and pizza

While it might not be the first choice for most people, sparkling wine can actually be a great match for pizza. 

• Sparkling Rosé and a pizza with plenty of veggies will make a stellar pairing. Dirty Laundry’sBubble Entendre Rosé has enough weight to stand up to the vegetables, while the bubbles can help cut through the richness of the cheese and bring out the flavours of the toppings.
• Sparkling White Wine pairs harmoniously with a pizza with light or no sauce, such as white pizza or pizza with fresh tomatoes. Our Bubble Entendre Blanc also pairs well with pizza that has salty toppings like olives or anchovies, or with a creamy sauce or seafood toppings.

Pairing wine with pizza can be a fun and rewarding experience that can enhance the flavours of both the wine and the pizza, but it's important to remember that there are no hard and fast rules. The key is to find a wine that can complement the flavours of the toppings and balance the acidity and richness of the tomato sauce and cheese. The best way to find the perfect wine to pair with pizza is to follow these guidelines and experiment with different wines and toppings to see what works best for your palate. So next time you order a pizza, don't forget to grab a bottle of wine to elevate your dining experience. Cheers!