“Is there a wine varietal that’s a perfect match for pizza?”

Yes. Sangiovese based wines would have to be my first choice. These wines have good fruit, acid, and structure making them great food wines. There is a great range of wines to fit every budget and taste. The best known Sangiovese based wines are Brunello, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and Chianti Classico. Brunello di Montalcino (1998 Catelli Martinozzi $60.00), come from the Brunello clone and are the biggest and most expansive wines of the three. These wines are tannic, full bodied, dark red wines that mellow with age. The little brother of the Brunello is called Rosso di Montalcino (2004 Casanova di Neri $19.00) and can be a great way to enjoy this varietal without the big price tag. They can be drunk much younger and have great spice and fruit. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (2004 Dei $25.00) are the same clones as Chianti but are called Prugnolo by the locals and are a priced in the mid range. These wines are earthy and spicy with less tannin letting the fruit show its self on the finish. Chianti Classico (2004 Felsina $19.00) is the best known of the three. Chianti’s fame was earned years ago from being sold in a straw covered bottle and set on all the red checkered table cloths in every Italian pizza restaurant in America. The wine was undrinkable but the empty bottles made great candle holders. Today Chianti Classico is rich in texture and complexity. Ranging from the single vineyard riserva’s big robust tannic with massive fruit needing time to mature ($55-75), to the simple well made normali which is fruit driven with a touch of spice and is ready to drink ($15-20). There are other regions producing great Sangiovese based wines like Emilia-Romagna (2004 Zerbina, “Ceregio”$16.00), Chianti Rufina (Selvapiana $17.00), (2004 Chianti Colli Senesi, Castello di Farnetella $15.00).

There is no shortage of good wine to drink have fun and eat lots of pizza.

Marc Accuardi

Wine buyer for Nostrana and Gino’s Restaurant and Bar

Wine prices are retail and should be available in the market