Wine & Pizza: The Guide to Stop Saying "Any Red Wine Will Do"
The perfect wine and pizza pairing depends on the pizza itself. Pair a Margherita with a light red served slightly chilled or a rosé; a spicy pizza with a fruity red that can stand up to the heat; and a white pizza or cheese pizza with a crisp white wine. Rule number one: serve your red wine slightly chilled (14–16°C / 57–61°F) and forget about warm, heavy reds. "Any red wine will do." That's the sentence that ruins a great pizza. Here's your complete guide to pairing wine with pizza with serving temperatures and price ranges. No sommelier skills required.
What's the Best Wine for Pizza?
The secret comes down to one word: acidity.
Tomato sauce is naturally acidic, so it needs a wine that's equally fresh and vibrant—not a heavy, tannic wine that overpowers it. (Tannins are what give some red wines that drying sensation on your tongue, and they tend to clash with tomatoes.)
The second rule is simple: the richer the pizza (cheese, meat, spicy toppings), the fuller-bodied the wine can be.
A Margherita and a Diavola don't call for the same bottle.
Our Wine Pairings, Pizza by Pizza
Margherita (Tomato, Mozzarella & Basil)
The classic.
Freshness is key here.
Two safe choices:
- A light red served slightly chilled, such as a Beaujolais Gamay or a Chianti made from Sangiovese, whose acidity perfectly complements tomato sauce.
- A well-chilled rosé.
Our go-to choice: U'Weini Côtes de Provence Rosé 2025, served at 8–10°C (46–50°F).
Fresh, fruity, and never overpowering, it's the perfect match for pizza.
Price: from €14.90.
Comparable Chiantis and Gamays generally range from €9 to €14.
Spicy Pizza (Diavola, Pepperoni, 'Nduja)
Spicy toppings call for a fruity, smooth red wine—never an oaky or highly tannic one, as tannins make the heat feel even stronger.
A supple wine with plenty of fruit helps balance the spice.
Our recommendation:
U'Weini Bordeaux Supérieur 2022
- 45% Merlot
- 55% Cabernet Sauvignon
Round, fruity and silky, with well-integrated tannins.
Serve at 15–17°C (59–63°F).
From €14.90.
Other great options include:
- Primitivo (Puglia)
- Côtes-du-Rhône
Typical budget: €8–15.
Four Cheese Pizza or White Pizza
Rich, creamy and salty pizzas need a wine with plenty of freshness to cut through the richness.
A dry, aromatic white wine works beautifully.
Our recommendation:
U'Weini Bordeaux Blanc Sec 2024
- 70% Sauvignon Blanc
- 30% Sémillon
Bright and lively, with exotic fruit aromas.
Serve at 10–12°C (50–54°F).
From €14.90.
A chilled rosé also works well if the cheeses are relatively mild.
Vegetarian Pizza (Grilled Vegetables, Rocket)
Flexible and easy to pair.
Choose either:
- a crisp rosé
- or a refreshing white wine.
Both U'Weini Rosé and U'Weini White work beautifully depending on the toppings:
- White wine for lighter vegetable flavours.
- Rosé for long, relaxed aperitifs that turn into dinner.
Seafood, Tuna or Anchovy Pizza
There's only one rule:
Choose white wine. Never a tannic red.
Tannins combined with fish can create an unpleasant metallic aftertaste.
Look for a crisp dry white such as:
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Vermentino
- Verdicchio
The U'Weini White served at 10–12°C is an excellent choice.
Italian white wines generally range from €9–16.
Ham & Mushroom, Chicken BBQ or Regina Pizza
Comfort-food pizzas pair beautifully with a fruity, medium-bodied red.
Serve the U'Weini Bordeaux Supérieur slightly chilled (16°C / 61°F) or choose a light Beaujolais.
Three Simple Rules to Get It Right Every Time
- Serve red wine slightly chilled: 14–16°C (57–61°F). Warm red wine feels heavy and overly alcoholic with pizza.
- Acidity is your friend: tomato-based pizzas always pair better with lively wines than with powerful reds.
- Avoid heavily oaked, highly tannic reds with spicy or seafood pizzas.
A useful quality tip: Protected Designation of Origin (PDO/AOP) labels indicate the wine's origin and production standards, making it easier to choose confidently.
Hosting Pizza Night?
If everyone orders a different pizza and you don't want to overthink the wine, simply choose a chilled rosé.
It's by far the most versatile bottle on the table.
U'Weini Côtes de Provence Rosé, from €14.90, is a crowd-pleaser—from aperitif to the last slice.
Bonus idea: while you're waiting for the pizza delivery, watch an episode of The Apostrophe, U'Weini's AI series.
Pizza, a great series, and a chilled rosé—the perfect Friday night combination.
Because every great bottle deserves to be enjoyed responsibly, please drink responsibly.
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