Pizza and Wine: Perfect Pairings for Your Delivery Order

Pizza and wine – two of life's greatest pleasures that, when paired correctly, create a dining experience greater than the sum of its parts. While beer has traditionally been the go-to beverage for pizza night, more Americans are discovering the joy of matching their favorite pies with the perfect wine. In this guide, we'll explore how to elevate your Blaze Pizza delivery experience with expert wine pairings that complement our signature pizzas and enhance your at-home dining experience.

The Art and Science of Pizza-Wine Pairing

Pairing wine with pizza follows some of the same principles as traditional food and wine pairing, but with a few special considerations. The key elements to consider include:

• Acidity: Pizza sauce is naturally acidic due to tomatoes. Wines with good acidity can stand up to this and create balance.
• Fat content: The cheese and toppings on pizza contain fats that are beautifully balanced by wines with tannins or acidity.
• Flavor intensity: Bold toppings like pepperoni need equally bold wines, while lighter pizzas pair well with more delicate wines.
• Regional harmony: There's often wisdom in regional pairings – Italian wines frequently work well with pizza because they evolved alongside similar flavors.

With these principles in mind, let's explore perfect wine pairings for some of our most popular Blaze Pizza options.

Classic Cheese & Margherita Pizzas: Embracing Tradition

Our traditional cheese pizza and classic Margherita showcase the beautiful simplicity of quality ingredients. The clean flavors of tomato sauce, mozzarella, and our signature Fast-Fire'd crust call for wines that won't overwhelm these delicate flavors.

Recommended Pairings:

• Chianti Classico: The traditional Italian choice, with bright cherry notes, earthiness, and acidity that perfectly complement tomato sauce and don't overpower the delicate flavors.
• Pinot Noir: A light to medium-bodied red with low tannins that won't overwhelm the pizza, offering subtle red fruit notes and earthy undertones.
• Dry Rosé: For those who prefer something between red and white, a Provence-style rosé offers refreshing acidity and subtle berry notes that complement rather than compete with the pizza.

Meat Lover's Pizzas: Bold Flavors Need Bold Wines

Our meat-forward pizzas like the Meat Eater (pepperoni, crumbled meatballs, red onion, mozzarella) or BBQ Chicken pack intense flavors from savory proteins and bold sauces. These robust pizzas call for wines with enough character to stand up to these strong flavors.

Recommended Pairings:

• Zinfandel: America's bold red wine offers rich fruit flavors, spice notes, and enough body to match pepperoni and other cured meats. Look for options from California's Lodi or Paso Robles regions.
• Syrah/Shiraz: With its black pepper, dark fruit, and sometimes smoky notes, Syrah is particularly excellent with BBQ chicken pizza, echoing the smoky-sweet sauce.
• Montepulciano d'Abruzzo: This Italian red offers rustic charm with moderate tannins and juicy red fruit flavors that stand up to meaty toppings without overwhelming them.

Veggie Pizzas: Fresh and Vibrant Pairings

Our vegetable-forward pizzas like the Veg Out (mushrooms, red onions, green bell peppers, black olives) or Green Stripe (pesto drizzle, chicken, red peppers, chopped garlic, mozzarella, arugula) showcase fresh, vibrant flavors that pair beautifully with wines that offer herbal notes and crisp acidity.

Recommended Pairings:

• Sauvignon Blanc: The herbal, grassy notes and zippy acidity of this white wine make it an exceptional match for veggie pizzas, particularly those with green vegetables or pesto.
• Vermentino: This Mediterranean white has a subtle salinity and citrus notes that beautifully complement vegetables and herbs.
• Grüner Veltliner: An Austrian white with distinctive white pepper notes and green apple flavors that pair wonderfully with vegetable toppings.

Spicy Pizzas: Cooling the Heat

When you opt for pizzas with heat – like our Hot Link (spicy red sauce, jalapeños, spicy Italian sausage, red onions, mozzarella) or custom creations with hot pepper toppings – you'll want wines that either soothe the palate or complement the spice.

Recommended Pairings:

• Off-dry Riesling: The slight sweetness in this white wine helps tame heat while its acidity keeps the pairing refreshing. German Kabinett or Spätlese styles work beautifully.
• Lambrusco: This slightly sparkling Italian red has just enough sweetness and berry fruit to cool spice, while bubbles cleanse the palate.
• Gewürztraminer: With its lychee, rose, and spice notes, this aromatic white complements rather than fights with spicy flavors.

White Pizzas: Creamy Delights

For our white pizzas that skip the tomato sauce in favor of creamy, garlic-forward flavors – like the White Top (white cream sauce, mozzarella, bacon, chopped garlic, oregano, arugula) – rich, buttery wines create a luxurious pairing experience.

Recommended Pairings:

• Chardonnay: Particularly those with some oak influence, offering buttery notes that complement creamy sauces beautifully. California or warm-climate Australian options work well.
• Soave: This Italian white wine has enough body to stand up to creamy textures while offering almond and apple notes that complement garlic and herbs.
• Gavi: Another Italian white that offers mineral complexity alongside fresh citrus notes, cutting through richness while complementing the flavors.

Creating a Pizza and Wine Tasting Experience

Want to take your pizza night to the next level? Consider hosting a pizza and wine tasting with friends or family. Here's how to create a memorable experience:

1. Order a variety: Select 2-3 different Blaze Pizzas with contrasting flavors (perhaps a classic Margherita, a meat option, and a white pizza).
2. Choose corresponding wines: Based on our recommendations, select one wine to pair with each pizza style.
3. Serve in flights: Cut each pizza into small slices and pour modest wine samples so everyone can try each combination.
4. Take notes: Have guests jot down their favorite combinations and what they noticed about each pairing.
5. Discuss: Share observations about how the wines and pizzas interact—what works and why?

This approach turns a regular pizza delivery into an interactive, educational experience that creates lasting memories.

Affordable Finds: Great Pairings That Won't Break the Bank

Fine wine pairing doesn't need to be expensive. Here are some wallet-friendly options (typically under $15) that deliver excellent pizza pairing experiences:

• For red wine lovers: Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Spanish Garnacha, Chilean Carmenere
• For white wine enthusiasts: Portuguese Vinho Verde, Chilean Sauvignon Blanc, Italian Pinot Grigio
• For something different: Spanish Cava (sparkling), South African Chenin Blanc, Argentine Malbec

Seasonal Pairings: Adapting to the Calendar

Just as our menu features seasonal ingredients, your wine pairings can reflect the changing seasons:

Summer Pairings

When temperatures rise, lighter, chilled wines enhance the pizza experience. Consider:

• Chilled dry rosé with margherita pizza
• Crisp Pinot Grigio with seafood-topped pizzas
• Slightly chilled Beaujolais with lighter meat pizzas

Fall & Winter Pairings

As the weather cools, heartier wines match the season's mood:

• Robust Zinfandel with meat-topped pizzas
• Aged Chianti Classico with mushroom pizzas
• Full-bodied Malbec with BBQ chicken pizza

Beyond Wine: Other Sophisticated Pairings

While wine makes an excellent pizza companion, there are other elevated beverage options to consider:

• Craft Cider: Particularly dry versions offer a refreshing alternative that works well with most pizza styles.
• Vermouth Spritz: A low-alcohol option mixing sweet or dry vermouth with soda water and a citrus twist.
• Negroni or Americano: These Italian cocktails with bitter components work surprisingly well with pizza, as the bitterness balances rich, fatty flavors.
• Non-alcoholic options: Alcohol-free wines, complex craft sodas, or sparkling water with bitters can provide sophisticated non-alcoholic pairings.

The Perfect Setup: Enhancing Your Experience

To maximize your pizza and wine experience, consider these final tips:

• Serving temperature matters: Most red wines show best slightly cooler than room temperature (60-65°F), while whites should be chilled but not ice-cold (45-55°F).
• Glassware enhances flavor: While specialty glasses are nice, any wine glass with a bowl shape will enhance aromas and flavors compared to a regular cup.
• Decanting isn't just for fancy wines: Even affordable reds can benefit from 15-30 minutes of air exposure, which can be achieved by simply pouring into a carafe or pitcher.
• Order timing: When ordering delivery, open your wine when you place your order, so it has time to breathe before the pizza arrives.