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Pair Wine with Pizza

Seriously, is there anybody out there that doesn't like pizza? If there is, please introduce this person to us because if there's a food that is universally enjoyed, pizza has got to be the top candidate. From basic cheese to a Chicago-style stuffed monster, pizza always aims to please with its combination of flavors.

For some reason, most people think that beer is the alcoholic beverage of choice to drink with pizza, but we're here to dispel this crazy idea. Of course it's wine that pairs perfectly with pizza! What better to match up with the vibrant tomato sauce and rich cheese of a pizza than a stout, delicious wine?

The question is: what sort of wine works best with pizza? Given the heft of the tomato sauce and the usual presence of meats such as pepperoni and sausage, we're looking at reds. You could go with a white such as a Chardonnay if you're eating one of those lighter style pizzas like margherita, but for the most part you'll need a red to match up to the vast majority of pizzas being devoured at restaurants or delivered to houses everywhere.

Before we discuss specific wines, we do want to mention that you'll want to shy away from drinking expensive bottles or wines of significant complexity with pizza. The taste of pizza will not be improved by wine, so it's unnecessary and silly to drink anything costly or more worthy of a multi-course meal. The wine you drink with pizza should be easily drinkable and serve as a companion to the pie.

Since pizza originated in Italy, it's only natural that we recommend some Italian wines right off the bat. We'd suggest Chianti, Barbera and Primitivo, all terrific, affordable Italian reds that are medium-bodied and very easy drinking. Chianti is the easiest of these wines to find, but Barbera and Primitivo are actually more interesting wines that offer up an even better compliment to pizza.

Outside of Italy, we'd suggest trying tasty blends such as Chateauneuf-du-Pape from France or a GSM (Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre) from Australia. These wines offer up a nice combination of spice and relaxed fruit to pair up with the pizza. If you're looking for an American wine, you can find blends similar to GSM, or you can go with Zinfandel or Syrah. A Pinot Noir will work as well since it goes well with practically anything, though we'd suggest the California variety (or a Burgundy from France) over those made in Oregon for a bit more earth and spice.

So, the next time you pick up that phone to order a couple of medium supremes to be delivered, forget the beer and pull out a bottle of wine. You'll be glad that you did!

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