When it comes to pairing wine with pizza, there’s a notable consensus among experts: sparkling wine is the ultimate companion for this beloved dish.

Pizza is undoubtedly a favorite worldwide, whether enjoyed as delivery, crafted in an artisan pizzeria, made at home, or even from a freezer. The delicious combination of crust and toppings is hard to beat. To enhance the experience, I consulted a variety of wine professionals including sommeliers and chefs about their ideal wine pairings, and they all gravitated towards one category: sparkling.

Why Sparkling Wine?

Tim Bodell, an executive chef at Rustic at Francis Ford Coppola Winery, emphasizes sparkling wine’s versatility. He notes that its fruitiness and slight sweetness perfectly balance the acidity and sweetness found in tomato sauce, which can conflict with many other wines. Additionally, chef Pablo Ranea explains that the effervescence of bubbly helps cut through the richness of cheese and refreshes the palate with each bite.

Top Sparkling Recommendations

The experts consistently favor Italian or Italian-style sparkling wines when it comes to pizza. Some standout selections include:

• Lambrusco: A red sparkling wine from the Emilia-Romagna region, praised by both Ranea and wine expert Wanda Mann. Its acidity and fruit character complement bold toppings like pepperoni or truffle oil mushrooms.

• Prosecco: With its lively bubbles, Prosecco is another favorite. Mann encourages its use, noting that its lightness pairs well with hearty slices. She also recommends trying rosé Prosecco for its red fruit flavors that enhance both tomato-based and white pizzas.

• Franciacorta: This Italian bubbly, made similarly to Champagne, is Bodell’s choice for Margherita or cheese pizzas due to its refreshing qualities.

• Sparkling Rosé: Belinda Chang, a celebrated sommelier, suggests sparkling rosé for pizzas with meats or briny toppings, balancing the bitter elements with its fruit flavors.

For those who might not prefer bubbly, several alternative wine pairings come highly recommended:

• Trivento’s White Malbec: An Argentinian wine that offers freshness and acidity, ideal for pizzas topped with fresh tomatoes and basil.

• Côtes du Rhône: A lighter French red that pairs well with pizza featuring more robust ingredients like gamey sausage.

For a delightful pizza night, the choice of sparkling wine stands out as the top recommendation from experts, showcasing a perfect blend of flavors that elevate the dining experience.