White Pizza Wines - Wine of the Week

by Kristine Hansen, Posted Mar 16th 2010 @ 5:00PM

Photo: Getty Images

With the spring season around the corner, we're already looking forward to more chilled whites. And as much as a Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel jazzes up pizza, so do some white varietals. In developing this list we looked for white wines with viscosity, complexity and legs – ones that aren't shy and can stand up to tomato-based sauces, rich mozzarella and an abundance of toppings, from spicy sausage to basil leaves.

After the jump, five of our favorites.

2008 Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio ($9)
This is such a right-on pizza pairing that California Pizza Kitchen pours glasses of this producer's Pinot Grigio. A floral nose is followed by a bright mid-palate of tropical fruits and an earthy finish -- which a slice of pizza helped lengthen.

2007 Helfrich Vin d'Alsace Riesling ($15)
A musty, herbaceous nose carries through to the mineral finish. This might be a nice white to pair with meat toppings. If you like drier Rieslings, this pick is a must.

2008 Paco & Lola Albariño Rias Baixas, Spain ($16)
There's a hint of basil on this fresh Albariño, which of course puts it in the running for pairing with pizza. A highly acidic palate tones down into a mellow, lingering finish that's ripe with lime and lemongrass flavors. This wine is a great candidate for pairing with pizzas that have a pesto sauce.

2008 Andrian Kellerei Cantina Terlano Alto Adige, Classico Pinot Bianco, Italy ($18)
A musty nose carries through to the finish of this oak-y wine with lots of viscosity. Yet even with all this aggression, there is little chance it can overpower the pizza.

Canaletto Prosecco Spumante Brut, Italy ($15)
No wonder many pizzerias offer Prosecco on their wine lists. While crisp at its core, Prosecco's profile softens with pizza – as this full-bodied, harmonious option does quite well. A floral aroma kicks off the sipping experience.

Filed Under: Reviews, Drinks
Tags: pinot grigio, pizza wines, riesling, wine, wine pairings, wine to drink with pizza, wines for pizza

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

3-17-2010 @2:00AM Wanda said... nice! really goof w/ the food. helps me with my diet. yum! yum! ;-)

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3-17-2010 @2:01AM Wanda said... nice! really goof w/ the food. helps me with my diet. yum! yum! ;-)

http://www.copywriter.com.au
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3-17-2010 @8:51AM Brandon said... Yeammy!! I am feeling appetite seeing this pizza. I am gonna order a pizza right now as I can't resist myself from eating it.
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/top-grade-acai-extreme-review-how-effective-it-is-2000622.html
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3-19-2010 @10:49PM Al Schrader said... Hold the bottle of wine up to a light source. If it's clear, it has been watered down. Real grape juice is very expensivbe....Chef Alfred Schrader-

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3-19-2010 @4:32PM Pete DeCarlo said... Also very good is actor Gianni Russo's Pinot Grigio or Prosecco, both under $15
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3-19-2010 @5:55PM Fred said... I'm no wine expert, not even close. But have never heard viscosity lauded as a favorable trait of wine. Motor oil, cough syrup both are generally a higher viscosity than water or grape juice but you'd really need to reduce wine down to measure. Is that really what was meant? Without checking, I believe, definition is 'resistance to flow' and typically measured in centipoise.
Regardless, I like your wine suggestions, especially the pinot gris and Prosecco.

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3-19-2010 @6:24PM ben bona said... Any well-meaning Italian is insulted by these absurd suggestions. First, find a good pizza. Then eat it and shutta you face.
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3-19-2010 @6:32PM John said... The heck with the wine a good old coke is much better
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3-19-2010 @6:57PM Karen & Andrew said...

We love this Helfrich Riesling, too!
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3-21-2010 @5:20AM TonydelBalzo said... Italian wine? No thanks, Not until Amanda Knox receives justice, is released from a Perugian prison and is home. In the mean time, Washington wines are fine for me. Enjoy.
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3-19-2010 @9:26PM David said... Yes a very well chilled white goes well with pizza. I choose Champagne!
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3-19-2010 @9:28PM David said... YAWN!
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3-21-2010 @8:45PM Australian Woman said... I agree that a good wine doesn't always have to go with fine dining. Pizza is fine. Also try the Domaine Serene Chardonnay with Pepperoni. Awesome!

http://martini-recipe.blogspot.com
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