To many, eating a pizza laden with cheese and other goodness is seen as a lazy meal, the epitome of fast food. But to Italians, pizza is one of the most iconic family dishes – and served with a glass of wine in tow.

Yup, pizza and wine is really a thing – and, if you go to any restaurant serving the dish, you may be stumped on which wine to pair your pizza choice with.

Thankfully, there are people who know.

To start, you need to look at every aspect of the pizza. From the thickness of the crust, to the way it was cooked, you need to take note of the sauce, cheese, and toppings, too.

Take the Butler’s Pizza menu, for example. Just looking at the bases, they have a pumpkin base, a zucchini base, a standard, a gluten-free, and a thin base. Phew!

But for an easy hack, the people in the know suggest you just look at the toppings. Here are a few pointers to start with:

Cheese Pizza

Say you get a Margherita and laden it with feta, you best go for a blend. The tomato sauce is the main pairing opponent in this one so best go hearty and deep.

Pepperoni Pizza

Easy – hit up a bottle of Cabernet Franc. The Pepperoni Classic has a strong, delicious flavour which spreads through the cheese on every slice. Thus, an intense flavour to counterbalance this is imperative.

Margherita Pizza

The Margherita is simple at best and for its fresh ingredients, a rosé is the ideal match. If you’re not the type to drink the pink, a light red or white will suffice – anything that doesn’t overpower your senses and you’re good to go.

Meat Pizza

A pizza like the Meaty Foursome or Just Game has heavy, bold flavours of red meat which should point you immediately in the direction of a like-minded Pinotage. The spices in both the meats and the wines compliment each other with flavour intensities.

Hawaiian Pizza

Yup, the Hawaii gets a category all on its own, because, pineapple. For this, you want a little off-dry white, a palate cleanser in fact, and one that accentuates the sweet/salty taste of the ham/pineapple combo. Try a Riesling, a grape variety of Germany that is sure to accentuate your experience.

Barbecue Chicken Pizza

You would never think to pair a BBQ chicken with wine – but it’s a must. Either pop open a bottle of cab sav, or find an Argentinian Malbec for fruit-forward pairings for the sweeter-style sauce. Delicious.

Salad Pizza

Light, fresh and growing in popularity, if you get your hands on a Red Rocket be sure you pick up a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. It has tartness and offers more of the “green” flavours that will make your meal all the more enjoyable.

You think you can handle it? We’ve got you. Just remember, think of the toppings and you’re good to go.

Like always, try The Rotherham, get yourself a medium blend, and voila! Bon appetite!

[source:eater]