Top 5 Wine Pairings for a Pizza Night

There’s something timeless about a good pizza night—easy, satisfying, and always a crowd-pleaser. But if you’re still cracking open a beer or reaching for that generic red from the back of the cupboard, it’s time for an upgrade. At The Daily Pour, we believe pizza night can (and should) be a flavour adventure. With the right wine pairing, even a classic margherita can become a moment worth savouring. Whether you’re hosting friends in Toronto or curating a wine list for your Ottawa trattoria, here are five perfect wine pairings to elevate your next pizza night.

1. Margherita Pizza & Chianti Classico

Margherita pizza is all about balance—bright tomato sauce, creamy mozzarella, and aromatic basil. A medium-bodied Chianti Classico from Tuscany, made predominantly with Sangiovese grapes, mirrors that harmony. Its vibrant acidity cuts through the cheese, while its herbal notes echo the basil beautifully.

Why it works: High acidity + tomato = perfect pairing.

Try this: Look for small-production Chiantis that showcase a rustic edge and minimal oak aging. A perfect example is The Daily Pour’s Casa Al Vento Chianti Classico “Aria”

2. Pepperoni Pizza & a Côtes du Rhône Red

Pepperoni brings bold, spicy, and slightly fatty flavours to the table. A Côtes du Rhône red—typically a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre—offers juicy red and black fruit, a hint of pepper spice, and enough body to stand up to the richness of the meat.

Why it works: The blend’s spice and fruitiness balance pepperoni’s heat and salt, while moderate tannins cut through the fat.

Try this: Choose a small-scale Côtes du Rhône producer who focuses on organic or biodynamic practices for added character. a food-friendly and versatile red wine from the Southern Rhône Valley. This is a perfect example: Domaine Galévan Côtes du Rhône red, a food-friendly and versatile red wine from the Southern Rhône Valley. Available for delivery through The Daily Pour, right to your home!

3. Mushroom Pizza & Gamay Noir

Earthy toppings like mushrooms demand a wine with freshness, finesse, and a hint of forest floor charm. Enter Gamay Noir—especially from Beaujolais, where the grape shines with juicy red fruit and gentle minerality. Its light body and bright acidity make it an excellent partner to the umami depth of mushrooms.

Why it works: Gamay’s earthy undertones and low tannin allow mushroom flavours to shine, while its acidity keeps each bite lifted.

Try this: Look for a Beaujolais-Villages or a cru like Morgon or Fleurie from a boutique, terroir-driven producer. At the Daily Pour, we carry Cru Beaujolais from Domaine de Leyre-Loup. Check out their Morgon, or their Morgon Réserve for a fantastic partner to funghi pizza! Both are available for delivery right to your front door.

 

4. White Pizza (Bianca) & Chardonnay

White pizzas—often layered with garlic, ricotta, mozzarella, and sometimes mushrooms or spinach—call for a white wine with body and complexity. A Chardonnay, particularly one with a touch of oak and a creamy mouthfeel, is just the thing.

Why it works: Chardonnay complements the richness of white sauces while maintaining enough acidity to refresh the palate.

Try this: Explore barrel-aged Chardonnays from Niagara or Sonoma with balanced minerality and ripe stone fruit.

 

5. Spicy Sausage Pizza & Lambrusco

Spice, fat, and saltiness need a wine that’s playful, refreshing, and able to cleanse the palate. Lambrusco, the slightly sparkling red from Emilia-Romagna, Italy, does just that. Its bubbles and slight sweetness tame the heat and enhance the savoury bits.

Why it works: Lambrusco is fizzy, fruit-forward, and has just enough grip to tango with spicy sausage.

Try this: Choose a dry or off-dry Lambrusco from a boutique producer, preferably one practicing organic viticulture. The next pizza night you have, you’ve got to try L’Acino Lambrusco from the winery, Corte Manzini in Emilia-Romagna! Available for delivery right to your doorstep anywhere across Ontario.

Here’s an amazing clip of the ‘Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy’ show where he visits Bologna, and pairs his meal with L’Acino Lambrusco!

 

Elevate Your Pizza Night with The Daily Pour

Pizza night doesn’t have to be basic. With the right wine, it becomes a curated tasting experience. At The Daily Pour, we source boutique wines that bring out the best in every bite, whether you’re popping a cork in your condo or building a pizza-and-wine flight for your restaurant patrons. Ready to explore your own perfect pairings? Check out the selection of wines in our shop:  The Daily Pour