Pizza – one of the most beloved dishes in the US, and wine – a perfect choice of drink for almost any occasion. When you combine these two, the result is bound to be a magnificent treat!

Both pizza and wine have a multitude of different flavors, so there are a lot of options for making a variety of combinations. You can just let your imagination run wild and try experimenting with different pizza and wine combinations. But there are specific wines that just go exceptionally well with certain pizzas, and if you can find the right pairings, that’s when you experience the true delicacy of pizza and wine.

So what’s the secret to finding the right wine pairings for pizza?

Well, it depends on various factors, such as the choice of pizza toppings and the flavor and type of wine. If you want to try out some of the best pizza-wine combinations, here are some useful tips and a few of our favorite recommendations.

Quick Tips for Wine Pairings for Pizza

Pay Attention to the Toppings

The topping is what gives every pizza its unique flavor. And when you’re considering which wine to pick with your favorite pizza, you need to choose something that will complement the flavor of the toppings. For example, pepperoni pizza has a strong, spicy taste and can completely overshadow the mild flavor of lighter wine, so it goes better with bold, strong wine.

Complementing or Contrasting Flavors

The best pizza-wine pairings are those where the wine either complements or contrasts the flavor of the pizza and its toppings. Let’s see which wine goes with different types of pizza and how it enhances the overall flavor.

Margherita Pizza

We all know what a classic Margherita tastes like – cheesy, herbaceous, smooth. So it’s no surprise that it goes wonderfully with lighter wines, both red and white. Pinot Noir (red) and Pinot Grigio (white) are excellent options.

Pinot Noir has higher tanning levels than its white counterpart and is a mix of mildly fruity and spicy flavors. The contrast between the fresh herbs and cheesiness of Margherita and the light, earthly spice of Pinot Noir ends up boosting both flavors.

Pinot Grigio also has a crisp taste and a smooth fruity flavor from limes, lemons, green apples, and a few other fruits. The richness of the Margherita and the smoothness of Pinot Grigio are simply a perfect combination for a hearty meal.

Shrimp Pizza

Shrimp generally pairs beautifully with white wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadet, Pinot Grigio, and Chardonnay. So the same can be said for shrimp pizza as well. The mild, creamy flavor of shrimp goes well with the fruity or citrusy flavors and aroma of white wines.

Shrimp has a balanced sweet and salty taste and doesn’t have the strong, bold taste that many seafood and fish have. That is why it is complemented by citrusy or fruity white wines. It’s better to avoid sweet white wines, as dry whites are much better with shrimp pizza. Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are two of the best options overall.

Meat Lover’s Pizza

This pizza really describes itself best from the name itself. It’s usually packed with a few different types of meat, so it truly is a meat lover’s dream come true. The grounded, umami flavor of meat combined with the rich fat makes for an absolute mouth-watering delight.

The strong taste and texture of the meat are the heart and soul of this pizza, so it also needs to be complemented by a wine that is just as strong in taste. The rich flavor of fat from the meat is complemented well by higher tannin levels, so Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, and Malbec are all great options.

Prime Pizza

Prime pizza is the exclusive signature pizza here at PRIME Steak & Seafood. It has everything – cheesy goodness, tender meat, herbs, and veggies, all in one. The main ingredients are ricotta and mozzarella cheese, tenderloin strips, arugula, and shallot parsley. So there are different distinct flavors within Prime pizza. And the best part is that you can choose different wines that work with each flavor.

The cheesiness of Ricotta and Mozarella and herbal flavors and aroma of shallot-parsley and arugula go great with either Pinot Noir or Pinot Grigio. In contrast, the meatiness of tenderloin strips goes better with Bordeaux or Cabernet Sauvignon.

Try the Best Pizza and Wine Pairings

The next time you’re heading out to grab some pizza, why not try some of these suggested pizza and wine pairings? At PRIME Steak & Seafood, you can find some of the absolute best freshly oven-baked pizzas in McAllen. Choose from our various flavors and toppings and pair them with a glass of refreshing wine. Visit us, try for yourselves, and we’re sure that the cheesy goodness of our pizzas will keep you coming back for more.