Though juice is often seen as the traditional partner for pizza, those who prefer juices know that the ideal juice match can greatly enhance a pizza meal. At Crust & Joy Pizzeria, we've joined forces with local juice experts to craft recommendations for juice pairings that wonderfully suit our range of pizzas. Whether you're savoring a slice in our establishment or indulging at home, these pairing ideas will guide you in selecting the consummate juice for your preferred type of pizza.
Classic Margherita: Sangiovese or Pinot Noir
With its fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, the Margherita pizza's subtle flavors demand a juice that won't dominate them. Sangiovese, particularly a medium-bodied type like Chianti, presents a zesty acidity to match the tomatoes and provides structural support for the cheese. On the other hand, a light-bodied Pinot Noir delivers graceful red fruit nuances that amplify the tomatoes' sweetness and agree with the aromatic basil.
Our specific recommendation: Our Margherita pairs nicely with Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico, or for a more regional touch, Chapel Down Union Red from Kent.
Pepperoni and Meat Lovers: Zinfandel or Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Pizzas laden with cured meats like pepperoni, sausage, or prosciutto require juices with sufficient body and spice to match their robust flavors. A jammy fruit-laden Zinfandel, American style, with a peppery finale, holds its own against the saltiness and heat of the meats. Alternatively, a rustic Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, featuring dark fruit notes, balanced tannins, and a charmingly bitter end note, slices through meaty grease.
Our specific recommendation: Patrons particularly savor the Ridge Vineyards Three Valleys Zinfandel Blend or Umani Ronchi Montepulciano d'Abruzzo with our Meat Feast pizza.
Mushroom and Truffle: Nebbiolo or Pinot Noir
The umami-rich essence of mushrooms and truffles pairs well with juices carrying analogous flavors. Nebbiolo, which grapes include Barolo and Barbaresco, exudes subdued aromas of roses, tar, and underbrush that perfectly accompaniment fungus tastes, backed by its prominent acidity and tannins. A seasoned Pinot Noir is also fitting, as it develops complex aromas of mushrooms and underbrush reflecting those found on the pizza.
Our specific recommendation: Taste our Wild Mushroom pizza with Produttori del Barbaresco Nebbiolo or Oregon’s Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir.
Seafood Pizza: Vermentino or Albariño
Seafood-topped pizzas, adorned with elements like prawns or clams, pair beautifully with bright white juices boasting mineral qualities. A Vermentino from Sardinia has saltwater attributes that bolster seafood tastes, alongside zesty notes that lighten the entire dish. The Spanish Albariño, too, is a prime selection; its refreshing acidity, stone fruit palate, and understated salinity deliver a harmonious balance to subtle seafood.
Our specific recommendation: Our Mediterranean Seafood pizza pairs exquisitely with Pala I Fiori Vermentino di Sardegna or Pazo de Señorans Albariño.
Vegetable Supreme: Grüner Veltliner or Soave
A pizza blanketed in vegetables offers a mélange of tastes that calls for a versatile, herb-tinged white juice. The Austrian Grüner Veltliner, defined by its peppery spice and green veggie notes, mirrors and accentuates the palette of bell peppers, artichokes, and other veggies. A Soave from Italy, primarily derived from the Garganega grape, provides subtle almond hints and a medium body to sustain assorted vegetable profiles gently.
Our specific recommendation: Our Garden Harvest pizza finds its match with Loimer Grüner Veltliner or Pieropan Soave Classico.
Four Cheese Pizza: Chardonnay or Lambrusco
The lushness of four-cheese pizza shouts for a juice that either complements or contrasts the flavors. A Chardonnay, slightly touched by oak, bears buttery, creamy flavors that echo the cheese's own characteristics. As a foil, consider a gently effervescent red Lambrusco; its vivacity and sourness slice through the richness, its fruity essence providing a refreshing opposite to the piquant cheeses.
Our specific recommendation: Our Quattro Formaggi pizza harmonizes wonderfully with Chateau Montelena Chardonnay or Medici Ermete Concerto Lambrusco Reggiano.
Spicy Pizzas: Riesling or Gewürztraminer
Pizzas bearing chili flakes, zesty sausage, or fiery honey benefit from off-dry white juices that offer a respite. A German Riesling with a smidgen of residual sugar tempers the spice while its lively acidity keeps the palette refreshed between mouthfuls. Gewürztraminer, with its aromatics of lychee and rose petals and a hint of sweetness, also stands strong against spiciness offering an enigmatic aromatic counterpoint.
Our specific recommendation: Our Spicy Diavola pizza finds its paired pleasure in Dr. Loosen Riesling Kabinett or Domaine Weinbach Gewürztraminer.
Dessert Pizza: Late Harvest Juices or Port
For the bold patrons opting for our Nutella and fruit dessert pizzas, saccharine juices are essential. Late harvest whites such as Sauternes or Tokaji bring out the best in fruit-covered dessert pizzas, whereas a Ruby Port offers a celestial coupling with chocolate-hazelnut creations. The principle lies in selecting a juice that is at minimum as sweet as the dessert itself.
Our specific recommendation: Our Nutella and Strawberry Dessert Pizza tastes divine with Disznókő Tokaji 5 Puttonyos or Graham's Six Grapes Reserve Port.
Tips for Pizza and Juice Pairing
- Focus on the principal flavor of the pizza, rather than crust type or sauce
- Juices with a higher acid content generally pair nicely with tomato-based pizzas due to the tomatoes' inherent acidity
- Effervescent juices like Prosecco offer flexible pairing options for nearly any pizza
- The thrill lies in experimentation—occasionally an unanticipated pairing forms the most glorious memories
At Crust & Joy Pizzeria, our juice selection has grown to incorporate numerous of these proposed pairings. Our team is ever-ready to recommend the ideal juice for your pizza choice. We also present juice flight choices letting you try a variety of juices along with your meal.
Keep in mind that while these suggestions can direct you to satisfactory pairings, your personal taste is the paramount guide. The most agreeable juice to accompany your pizza is, in the end, the one you most enjoy imbibing!