15 Homemade Pizza and Wine Pairings You Need to Try!

Imagine this: it’s Friday night, you’ve kicked off your shoes, and a savory homemade pizza is sizzling in the oven. The tantalizing aroma of melted cheese and fragrant basil fills your kitchen.

But something is missing. What could possibly elevate this moment to perfection?

A glass of perfectly paired wine, of course! The symphony of flavors in your mouth when the right pizza is paired with the right wine is an experience like no other.

Understanding how to pair your homemade pizza with a complementing wine can turn a simple dinner into a gourmet feast.

Whether it’s a classic Margherita pizza paired with a refreshing white or a daring spicy pizza complemented by a robust red, the right pairing can enrich your flavors and make your homemade pizza experience simply unforgettable.

We will guide you through the basics of homemade pizza and wine pairings, give you specific recommendations for classic and unconventional pizzas, and even encourage you to experiment with your own combinations.

So sit back, pour yourself a glass, and read on to embark on an exciting gastronomic journey.

Your Friday pizza nights will never be the same again!

Let’s get started!

Basics of Pizza and Wine Pairings

Pizza and wine are two of life’s great pleasures, and when combined correctly, they can offer a dining experience that is greater than the sum of its parts.

But how exactly do you match these two? Let’s break it down.

Factors to Consider in Homemade Pizza and Wine Pairing

The key to a successful pairing lies in balancing the flavors of your homemade pizza with the characteristics of your wine. You want to consider the dominant flavors of the pizza, which are usually defined by:

Toppings

Your toppings will often provide the most robust flavors on your homemade pizza. Whether it’s the spicy kick of pepperoni, the rich earthiness of mushrooms, or the salty, briny punch of anchovies, your toppings will play a significant role in dictating your wine choice. For instance, a spicy topping might call for a sweeter wine to counterbalance the heat, while an earthy topping could pair well with a wine that has similar earthy notes.

Sauce

The type of sauce used can significantly impact your homemade pizza’s overall flavor profile. A classic tomato sauce brings acidity and sweetness that might pair well with an equally acidic wine, while a creamy white sauce could call for a richer, fuller-bodied white wine. Pesto or barbecue sauce pizzas introduce unique flavor profiles that require careful thought in choosing the right wine.

Type of cheese

Cheese adds a layer of richness, saltiness, and often creaminess to your pizza. A pizza loaded with rich, bold cheeses may require a wine with enough body to stand up to it, such as a full-bodied red or white. Lighter cheeses might pair well with a crisp, light white or even a rosé.

The combination of these three factors will significantly influence your wine pairing. However, don’t forget to consider the weight and body of both your pizza and your wine. A hearty, meat-loaded pizza will usually pair better with a full-bodied wine that can stand up to its weight.

Meanwhile, a pizza with lighter, more delicate toppings might go better with a similarly light wine.

Then, match these with a wine that either complements these tastes or contrasts them in a harmonious way.

The weight of the dish is another important factor. Heavier, meat-laden pizzas often require a robust wine that can stand up to their hearty flavors, while lighter, veggie-based pizzas might be better served with a delicate, refreshing wine.

Different Types of Homemade Pizza

There are countless types of homemade pizza, each with its own unique flavor profile. From the thin, crispy crust and simple toppings of a traditional Neapolitan pizza, to the deep, hearty dish that is a Chicago-style pizza, and everything in between.

Here’s a list of homemade pizza you can try:

1. Neapolitan Pizza: This traditional Italian pizza features a thin, crisp crust, simple tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese, and basil.
2. New York-Style Pizza: Known for its thin, foldable crust, this pizza is typically topped with a slightly sweet tomato sauce and a generous layer of mozzarella.
3. Chicago-Style Pizza: A deep-dish pizza with a thick, buttery crust, filled with cheese and topped with a chunky tomato sauce.
4. Sicilian Pizza: A rectangular, thick-crust pizza topped with onions, anchovies, tomatoes, herbs, and bread crumbs.
5. Margherita Pizza: A variation of Neapolitan pizza that focuses on fresh, high-quality ingredients: tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and basil.
6. BBQ Chicken Pizza: A modern classic, typically with a tangy BBQ sauce, shredded chicken, onions, and cilantro.
7. Greek Pizza: Often topped with kalamata olives, feta cheese, bell peppers, and onions, Greek pizzas bring the flavors of the Mediterranean to your dinner table.
8. Hawaiian Pizza: A controversial favorite, topped with ham (or Canadian bacon) and pineapple.
9. Vegetarian Pizza: A pizza loaded with a variety of vegetables such as bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and olives.
10. Seafood Pizza: Typically featuring a white sauce, these pizzas are topped with a variety of seafood like shrimp, clams, or anchovies.

Some pizzas feature rich tomato-based sauces, while others may use a creamy white sauce or even a tangy BBQ sauce. The type of cheese can also vary, from mozzarella to gorgonzola, each bringing its own flavors to the table.

Different Types of Wine

Just like pizza, wine comes in a vast array of styles. You have your red wines, which can range from light and fruity, like a Pinot Noir, to bold and full-bodied, like a Cabernet Sauvignon. White wines can be crisp and zesty, like a Sauvignon Blanc, or rich and buttery, like an oaked Chardonnay.

Here’s a list of the most common wines:

1. Cabernet Sauvignon: A full-bodied red wine known for its dark fruit flavors and savory taste.
2. Pinot Noir: A light to medium-bodied red wine that’s often described as having red fruit, flower, and spice aromas.
3. Chardonnay: A white wine that can vary from lean, crisp, and minerally to rich, creamy, and buttery depending on whether it’s oaked or unoaked.
4. Sauvignon Blanc: A white wine known for its high acidity and vibrant, crisp taste, often with citrus and green herbaceous notes.
5. Zinfandel: A medium to full-bodied red wine with high alcohol content and jammy, fruity characteristics.
6. Syrah/Shiraz: A full-bodied red wine that often features flavors of dark fruit, black pepper spice, and potentially smoky, meaty notes.
7. Merlot: A medium to full-bodied red wine with flavors of dark fruit, chocolate, and spice.
8. Riesling: A white wine that can be made in a range of styles from dry to sweet. It’s known for its refreshing acidity, floral aromas, and flavors of green fruits, citrus, and often a distinct minerality.
9. Rosé: This wine can be made with any red grape and is typically light to medium-bodied with flavors that range from strawberry and cherry to citrus and melon.
10. Prosecco: An Italian sparkling wine that’s usually dry and crisp with flavors of apple, pear, and honeysuckle.

And let’s not forget about rosé wines and sparkling wines, each with their own set of characteristics that can interact with homemade pizza in interesting ways.

Now that we’ve laid down the basics, let’s delve into some specific homemade pizza and wine pairings that you can try for your next homemade pizza night!

Pizza and Wine Pairings

With a basic understanding of how pizza and wine can interact, it’s time to put that knowledge into action. Here are a few specific pairings to get you started on this delicious adventure.

Margherita Pizza Pairing

Margherita pizza is an Italian classic, featuring a crisp crust, tangy tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil leaves. It is the essence of simplicity and balance, which makes it a versatile pizza to pair with wine.

Margherita Pizza ingredients

The key to a Margherita pizza lies in its high-quality, fresh ingredients. The sauce is typically made from ripe, acidic tomatoes, which pairs beautifully with the creamy, mild mozzarella. The basil adds a fresh, peppery note that ties the flavors together.

Wine pairing recommendation

A medium-bodied red, such as a Sangiovese, pairs well with a Margherita pizza. The high acidity and moderate tannins of the Sangiovese work well with the tomatoes and mozzarella, while its cherry and red fruit flavors compliment the fresh basil.

Pepperoni Pizza Pairing

Pepperoni pizza, beloved by many, offers bolder flavors with its spicy, slightly smoky pepperoni slices layered atop mozzarella and tomato sauce.

Pepperoni Pizza ingredients

The pepperoni on this pizza lends a hearty, spicy, and subtly smoky flavor that stands out against the backdrop of the creamy mozzarella and the tangy tomato sauce.

Wine pairing recommendation

A Zinfandel, with its bold flavors, medium tannins, and high acidity, is a great match for pepperoni pizza. The wine’s black pepper and red fruit flavors harmonize with the spicy pepperoni, while its acidity helps to balance the rich cheese and oily meat.

Unconventional Pizza and Wine Pairings

Now that we’ve covered some of the classics, it’s time to venture off the beaten path. Unconventional pizza toppings can offer a myriad of exciting flavors, and choosing the right wine to go along with them can elevate your dining experience to new heights.

Unconventional pizza toppings might include ingredients that aren’t typically associated with pizza, or unique combinations of traditional toppings. These unusual profiles require a bit more thought when it comes to wine pairing, but the results can be truly memorable.

Pairing for Spicy Pizza

Spicy pizzas, topped with ingredients like hot peppers, spicy sausage, or even hot honey, present a flavorful challenge for wine pairings.

Spicy Pizza ingredients

Spicy pizzas often feature a heat element that can come from a variety of sources, such as jalapeños, red pepper flakes, or spicy sauces. These pizzas may also include savory elements like sausages or pepperoni, and occasionally, a touch of sweetness to balance the heat.

Wine pairing recommendation

For spicy pizzas, a sweeter wine like a Riesling can be a great choice. The wine’s natural sweetness can help tame the heat from the pizza, while it’s high acidity and citrusy flavors can complement the savory toppings.

Pairing for Seafood Pizza

Seafood pizzas, whether topped with shrimp, clams, or anchovies, can offer a delightful alternative to traditional pizza toppings.

Seafood Pizza ingredients

Seafood pizzas often feature a white sauce or a light touch of tomato sauce so as not to overpower the delicate seafood flavors. Ingredients might include a mix of shellfish like shrimp or clams, or fish such as anchovies or smoked salmon.

Wine pairing recommendation

For seafood pizzas, a light, crisp white wine such as a Sauvignon Blanc or Vermentino works wonders. These wines typically have high acidity and citrusy notes that can complement the seafood and cut through the richness of the cheese.

After exploring these unconventional pairings, you might be wondering – how can I create my own successful pizza and wine pairings? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

There’s something deeply satisfying about creating a delicious meal with your own hands, and few things are as universally loved as pizza. But imagine taking your homemade pizza night to another level by pairing it with the perfect wine.

Pairing for Dessert Pizza

A less traditional but equally delightful category of pizza is the dessert pizza. These sweet treats can vary greatly in their toppings, but they often feature fruits, chocolates, or sweet cheeses.

Dessert Pizza ingredients

Dessert pizzas typically depart from the savory elements found in traditional pizzas, instead opting for sweet and decadent ingredients.

The base is often a regular pizza dough, sometimes sweetened slightly. Common toppings include a variety of fruits like strawberries, apples, or peaches; sweet sauces like chocolate or caramel; and cheeses such as mascarpone or cream cheese.

Wine pairing recommendation

For dessert pizzas, particularly those featuring chocolate and fruits, a Ruby Port can be a fantastic pairing. Ruby Port, with its sweet, rich, and fruity flavors, can stand up to the sweetness of the pizza, and its full body allows it to match the richness of ingredients like chocolate.

This pairing feels indulgent and can serve as the perfect finale for your pizza and wine dinner.

Benefits of Homemade Pizza and Wine Pairings

Making your own pizza allows you to be creative and personal, using your favorite ingredients and flavors. And the experience becomes even more gratifying when you discover a wine that perfectly complements your creation.

Not only is this a fun and rewarding way to enjoy a meal, but it’s also a fantastic conversation starter and an easy way to impress your guests.

Plus, understanding how different flavors work together can enrich your overall culinary knowledge and appreciation.

Making Homemade Pizza

Making Homemade Pizza

Choosing the right ingredients

• Dough: The foundation of any pizza is the dough. You can purchase ready-made dough from the store, or you can make your own. Basic pizza dough typically includes flour, yeast, water, salt, and olive oil.
• Sauce: The sauce can dramatically impact the flavor of your pizza. Traditional pizzas use a tomato-based sauce, but you can experiment with white sauce, barbecue sauce, or even a simple drizzle of olive oil.
• Cheese: Mozzarella is the classic choice, but feel free to experiment with other types like gouda, cheddar, or blue cheese. Fresh cheeses tend to melt better and provide a great texture.
• Toppings: This is where you can really let your creativity shine. You can stick to traditional toppings like pepperoni, bell peppers, and mushrooms, or venture out with unique options like figs, prosciutto, or even smoked salmon.

Process of making pizza at home

• Preparing the dough: If you’re making your dough from scratch, mix together your ingredients until a dough forms, then knead until smooth. Allow the dough to rise until it’s doubled in size, which usually takes about 1 to 2 hours. Then, on a floured surface, roll it out to your preferred thickness.
• Applying the sauce and toppings: Begin by spreading a layer of your chosen sauce onto the dough, leaving a small border for the crust. Follow this with a layer of your selected cheese. Arrange your toppings evenly over the cheese. Remember, less is more – you don’t want to overload the pizza as it can make the crust soggy and the flavors overwhelming.
• Baking tips and techniques: Preheat your oven to its highest setting – this is crucial for achieving a crispy crust. If you have a pizza stone, preheat it in the oven, as this will help achieve a uniformly cooked crust. If you don’t have a pizza stone, an inverted baking sheet works too. Bake the pizza until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly caramelized, usually about 10-15 minutes.

Now that we’ve covered how to make a delicious homemade pizza, let’s delve into understanding wine basics and the art of pairing it with your pizza.

Stay tuned as we dive into the enchanting world of wine in the next section and later explore how to create the perfect pairings for your homemade pizzas.

Pairing Wine with Homemade Pizza

Choosing the right wine to accompany your pizza can elevate your homemade pizza night to a gourmet dining experience. Here’s how you can approach this process and some suggested pairings for different types of pizza.

How to approach pairing

When pairing wine with pizza, consider the dominant flavors of the pizza, particularly the pizza sauce. Is it the tangy tomato sauce, the rich cheese, or a unique topping?

Next, you want to match the intensity of the pizza with the wine. A simple cheese pizza needs a simple, lighter wine, whereas a pizza loaded with toppings might require a more complex, full-bodied wine. Also, consider the balance between the acidity, sweetness, and tannins of the wine and the flavors of the pizza.

Remember, these are just guidelines, and part of the fun of pairing is experimenting to find what you like best. Happy pairing!

While there are guidelines for pizza and wine pairings, the best part about this process is the room for creativity and personalization.

The exciting thing about food and wine is that they can offer surprising combinations that delight the palate in unexpected ways.

So, don’t be afraid to step outside the conventional pairing rules and try something different. You might stumble upon a pairing that’s uniquely yours!

15 Perfect Pairings for Your Homemade Pizza and Wine Night

What could be more inviting than a cozy night in with a delicious homemade pizza and a glass of perfectly paired wine? But with the multitude of pizza varieties and a vast world of wines to choose from, finding the right pairing can feel overwhelming.

Fear not!

We have curated a list of 15 splendid homemade pizza and wine combinations that will elevate your pizza night to a gourmet dining experience. From classic favorites to gourmet creations, these pairings promise to tantalize your taste buds and enhance your appreciation for this delightful duo.

1. Classic Margherita Pizza and Chianti: The high acidity of Chianti pairs wonderfully with the tomatoes, while the light red fruit complements the basil and mozzarella.
2. Pepperoni Pizza and Zinfandel: Zinfandel, with its bold, fruit-forward flavor, stands up well to the spicy and greasy pepperoni.
3. Vegetarian Pizza and Sauvignon Blanc: The herbal notes of a Sauvignon Blanc pair well with green vegetables and its acidity balances the cheese.
4. Seafood Pizza and Vermentino: The citrusy notes and high acidity of Vermentino are a perfect match for seafood toppings.
5. BBQ Chicken Pizza and Syrah: The spicy and smoky notes of Syrah perfectly match the BBQ sauce and chicken.
6. Mushroom Pizza and Pinot Noir: The earthy flavors of mushrooms are complemented by the light, earthy Pinot Noir.
7. Prosciutto and Arugula Pizza and Prosecco: The bubbly, light Prosecco complements the salty prosciutto and peppery arugula.
8. Four Cheese Pizza and Chardonnay: A full-bodied, buttery Chardonnay pairs well with rich, creamy cheeses.
9. Hawaiian Pizza (Ham and Pineapple) and Riesling: The sweetness of Riesling can counterbalance the salty ham and pair well with the sweet pineapple.
10. Greek Pizza (Feta, Olives, and Onion) and Assyrtiko: The minerality and acidity of Assyrtiko can balance the saltiness of feta and olives.
11. Fig and Prosciutto Pizza with Pinot Grigio: The sweet, earthy figs are complemented by the fruity and light Pinot Grigio.
12. Buffalo Chicken Pizza and Gewürztraminer: The slightly sweet and full-bodied Gewürztraminer can tame the heat of the buffalo sauce.
13. Pesto Pizza with Goat Cheese and Pinot Blanc: The fresh, herbaceous flavors of pesto and tangy goat cheese are complemented by the light, crisp Pinot Blanc.
14. Spinach and Ricotta Pizza and Verdicchio: The green, almond notes of Verdicchio pair well with the spinach and the acidity balances the ricotta.
15. Anchovy Pizza and Muscadet: The salty, briny flavor of anchovies is a match for the crisp, salty Muscadet.

Indulge in the perfect fusion of flavors by trying these mouthwatering pizza and wine pairings, and visit Total Wine to discover an extensive selection of wines that will elevate your dining experience to extraordinary heights.

Tips for Creating Your Own Unique Homemade Pizza and Wine Combinations

Know Your Palate

The first rule of any pairing is that you should enjoy both the food and the wine individually. Understand what types of wines you enjoy, and build your pizza around those tastes.

Consider the Dominant Flavors:

In any pizza, there will be one or two dominant flavors. It could be the tang of tomato sauce, the rich earthiness of mushrooms, or the smoky spice of sausage. Try to match your wine to these flavors.

Balance Intensity

Rich, heavily topped pizzas will overwhelm the light, delicate wines, and vice versa. As a general rule, the more intense the flavors in your pizza, the more full-bodied and flavorful your wine should be.

Don’t Forget About Acidity and Tannins

Wines high in acidity can cut through the richness of the cheese, while wines high in tannins can balance the fat in meat toppings.

Try, Try, and Try Again

The best part of finding your unique pairing is the journey. Don’t be afraid to try different combinations, and remember, it’s all a matter of personal preference. What works for others might not work for you, and that’s okay!

Enjoy the process, the experimentation, and most importantly, the delicious bites and sips along the way. Your perfect pizza and wine pairing is waiting for you to discover it!

The Last Slice

Homemade pizza and wine pairing is about more than just creating a delicious meal. It’s about the joy of the process, the personal touch you can add, and the new flavors and combinations you can discover. It’s an ongoing journey of culinary exploration, one that can bring great joy and satisfaction.

So, roll up your sleeves, pop a bottle of your favorite wine, and start crafting your perfect pizza. Bon appétit!

Now, it’s your turn to share! We’d love to hear about your favorite homemade pizza and wine pairings. Or perhaps you’ve experimented with some unique combinations? Share your experiences, discoveries, and tips in the comments below.

We’re excited to learn from your culinary adventures and to be a part of your homemade pizza and wine pairing journey.

We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the team at Total Wine for their invaluable insights and expertise in helping us put together this guide. Their passion for wine is truly inspiring, and their knowledge has made this exploration of pizza and wine pairing an absolute delight.

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