White Pizza Wines

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.

Highly recommended white wine varietals to match Pizzas are:

Alto Adige Pinot Grigio: 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.

Alsace Riesling: 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.

Albariño Rias Baixas: 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.