The perfect sip for crispy dough
From Margherita to Quattro Stagioni
Pizza and wine – a combination that is often underestimated in everyday life. Yet the right wine can elevate the pizza experience to a whole new level. The topping decides: a classic Margherita calls for different wines than a spicy Diavola.
In short — which wine with pizza? For Margherita, fresh whites, rosé or a light red from Italy; for Diavola and ‘Nduja, fruit-driven reds; for truffle pizza, more refined notes. Lambrusco and Pét-Nat are the underrated pizza partners.
At lebendigeweine.de, we have selected our finest companions from over 70 wines recommended for pizza. As specialists in natural and biodynamic wines, we offer you recommendations that you will not find at other wine merchants.
The essentials at a glance: the topping determines the wine, not the dough. Fresh whites and rosés suit vegetarian pizzas. Spicy meat pizzas call for juicy red wines. And if you want to surprise? Reach for a frizzante – the gentle sparkle refreshes the palate between every bite.
Classics: Margherita & Quattro Formaggi
Pizza Margherita – tomato, mozzarella, basil – is the benchmark of Italian pizza-making. Its elegance lies in its simplicity. Wines should not overpower it: fresh whites, crisp rosés or an intriguing orange wine harmonise perfectly.
The acidity of the tomato and the creaminess of the mozzarella demand a wine with sufficient freshness. Heavy red wines would overwhelm the delicacy of the dish.
Vino Bianco
An uncomplicated white from Abruzzo for Margherita. Trebbiano with crisp acidity and citrus notes. From Francesco Cirelli, a pioneer of biodynamic viticulture.
Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC 2024
A robust Italian rosé for Pizza Capricciosa. Montepulciano with amarena aromas and the structure needed to accompany even richer toppings.
Sitta Maceracion 2021
Macerated Albariño with Quattro Formaggi. The tannins from the skin contact cut through the richness of the cheese. Apricot, chamomile and a fine texture.
Prosciutto & Ham
Pizza with prosciutto crudo, rocket and Parmesan – a classic of refined pizza making. The air-dried ham is added to the pizza only after baking, thus retaining its delicate aroma and silky texture.
Elegant, medium-bodied red wines are ideal here: a Valpolicella with its cherry fruit, a Dolcetto from Piedmont or a fruity Côtes du Rhône. The wine should complement the delicate ham aroma, not overpower it.
Côtes du Rhône Rouge AOC 2023
A juicy southern French wine for Pizza Diavola. Grenache-dominated with blackberry, thyme and soft tannins. The herbal spice complements the seasonings on the pizza.
Valpolicella Classico DOC 2024
A Venetian classic for pizza with prosciutto. Corvina blend with sour cherry and bitter almond notes. Served slightly chilled – perfect for a sociable pizza evening.
Dolcetto d’Alba “Bric Del Salto” 2024
An everyday Piedmontese wine for salami pizza. Sottimano is renowned for top Barbarescos – this Dolcetto shows that entry-level wines can shine too. Juicy, dark-fruited.
Spicy: Diavola & ‘Nduja
Pizza Diavola, ‘Nduja, peperoni – things get fiery here. The piccantezza of chilli and spicy salami calls for a special wine partner. The secret: fruit and residual sweetness balance out the heat.
A Mosel Kabinett works surprisingly well – the subtle sweetness of the Riesling cools the palate while the acidity refreshes. Alternatively: fruity, lightly chilled red wines such as Frappato from Sicily or a juicy Beaujolais.
Riesling Pünderich Kabinett 2024
A Mosel Kabinett with spicy pizza – a sommeliers’ insider tip! The subtle residual sweetness of Clemens Busch’s biodynamic Riesling cools the palate, while the acidity refreshes. Peach, slate, elegance.
SP68 Rosso 2024
Arianna Occhipinti’s cult wine with Pizza Diavola. Frappato and Nero d’Avola – juicy, fruity, with Mediterranean spice. The fruit balances the piccantezza, the freshness invigorates.
Rosso per tutti 2024
Lagrein and Vernatsch from Pranzegg, grown in the cool, steep vineyard sites above Bolzano: sour cherry, forest berries and violet, slender at 11.5 per cent alcohol, with finely structured acidity and silky tannins. Lightly chilled, it catches the piccantezza of the ’Nduja and stays fresh and juicy alongside tomato and cheese.
Fizzy: Lambrusco & Pét-Nat
Who says it has to be still wine? Fizzy wines are a revelation with pizza. The fine carbonation refreshes the palate between rich, fatty bites, while the light residual sweetness of many Lambruscos balances out the acidity of the tomatoes.
In Emilia-Romagna, home to many Lambrusco producers, pizza with frizzante is a matter of course. Try it – and you will understand why.
CinqueCampi Rosso Frizzante 2023
Authentic Lambrusco for any pizza. Lightly sparkling, vinified dry, with aromas of forest berries. Traditional bottle fermentation – as is customary in Emilia.
Fuorleggero Rosato Frizzante 2022
Zesty Lambrusco Rosato for summer pizzas. Strawberry, hibiscus and playful bubbles. Light-footed and irresistible – Italian joie de vivre.
Waz-K Pétillant Naturel Rosé 2023
Natural sparkling wine from Cahors, delicate salmon pink, fine natural bubbles: red berries, yeast, citrus freshness. A sparkling-dry counterpart to tomato, cheese and salami.
Gourmet: Truffle & Burrata
Pizza can be haute cuisine – when it comes from the right oven and is topped with first-class ingredients. Truffle pizza, burrata with San Marzano tomatoes or a pizza with Pata Negra deserve wines on an equal footing.
This is where matured wines from great vineyard sites come into play: a Barbaresco with its elegant tannin structure, a Burgundy 1er Cru or a matured Rioja – they all have the complexity to compete with refined pizza creations.
Escondite del Ardacho Veriquete 2019
A modern Rioja for pizza with Ibérico. Tempranillo from old vines, aged solely in cement – the fruit takes centre stage. Elegant, spicy, with fine maturity.
Savigny-Les-Beaune 1er Cru “Les Lavières” 2018
An elegant Burgundy for truffle pizza. Pinot Noir from Chandon de Briailles – biodynamic, with silky tannins and earthy undertones. Nobility alongside crispy dough.
Pajoré Barbaresco DOCG 2017
Piedmontese elegance for gourmet pizza. Nebbiolo from the single vineyard site Pajoré with rose, tar and fine tannins. A wine that proves pizza can be more than fast food.
Frequently asked questions
Which wine goes best with Pizza Margherita?
Pizza Margherita pairs beautifully with fresh white wines such as a simple Trebbiano or light rosés from Italy. The acidity of the tomato and the creaminess of the mozzarella harmonise with crisp, not overly heavy wines. If you enjoy experimenting, try an orange wine – its gentle tannins are a surprisingly good match.
Does red wine go with pizza?
Yes, but it depends on the toppings. Juicy, fruity red wines such as Valpolicella, Dolcetto or Côtes du Rhône complement meat pizzas (salami, prosciutto, salsiccia). For vegetarian pizzas like Margherita, we would rather recommend white or rosé wines – heavy reds would overpower the delicacy of the dish.
Why does Lambrusco pair so well with pizza?
Lambrusco and similar frizzante wines are classic pizza companions in Italy. The light sparkle refreshes the palate between rich, fatty bites, while the subtle residual sweetness of many examples balances the acidity of the tomato. Served well chilled (8–10 °C), a Lambrusco is the perfect refreshment alongside crispy dough.
Which wine goes with four-cheese pizza?
Pizza Quattro Formaggi is rich and intense – here you need a wine with structure. An orange wine, with its tannins, cuts through the opulence of the cheese. Alternatively, a powerful rosé from southern France or a lightly chilled light red wine such as Valpolicella works very well.
What is a good, affordable wine for pizza?
Italian house wines are ideal: a simple Trebbiano or Montepulciano from Abruzzo, a Valpolicella from Veneto or a Côtes du Rhône from France. Even on a modest budget, you will find wines that are perfectly suited to a sociable pizza evening – without any compromise on quality.
Discover all wines for pizza
This selection shows only a part of our recommendations. In our shop you will find over 70 wines that pair with pizza – from affordable everyday wines to exceptional cuvées for refined pizza creations.
All wines for pizza