Pizza, Wine, and Halloween Movie Pairings
October is National Pizza Month (but every month is National Pizza Month to us), and we’ll never turn down a bottle of wine to go with our ‘za. With the weather cooling off and classic Halloween movies on TV, we can’t imagine a more perfect evening. We’ve put together our favorite pizza and wine pairings, as well as a few popular Halloween movie quotes. Can you guess which quote belongs to which movie? You can find the answers at the end. Enjoy!
Classic Cheese and Red Zinfandel or Sauvignon Blanc
Sometimes a classic cheese pizza is best. No frills, nothing fancy, and always hits the spot! We suggest paring it with a bold Red Zinfandel. Red Zin (especially ones out of California) are highly acidic and will balance out the buttery mozzarella cheese. Feeling a white wine instead? A New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is perfect. Similar to a Red Zinfandel, the acid levels are high and pair perfectly with creamy cheese, especially a Quattro Formaggio pizza.
Movie Quote: “It’s a full moon tonight. That’s why all the weirdos are out.”
Cellar Collection Suggestions:
Between The Vines Red Zinfandel
Field Of Stones Sauvignon Blanc
William Knuttel Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc
Tussock Jumper Sauvignon Blanc
Meat Lovers and Cabernet or Sparkling Wine
Big, bold flavors require big, bold red wines. If you’re craving a pizza loaded with a mix of spicy sausage, bacon, pepperoni, or Canadian bacon, grab a hearty Cabernet. The spicy, peppery notes of a bold Cabernet will complement the meat(s) perfectly. Just like pairing a steak with a bold red, the fattiness in your pizza needs a heavier dose of tannins to create a smooth yet full bodied mouth feel. Similarly, Sparkling wine creates the same sensation. The crispness of the bubbles mellow out the heaviness of the pizza toppings. We recommend trying a drier wine for the best results!
Movie Quote: “Spengler! I’m with Venkman! He got slimed!”
Cellar Collection Suggestions:
Les Allies Brut Blanc De Blancs
Veggies Galore and Chardonnay or Rosé
Vegetable pizza has so many options; light, crisp veggies such as artichokes, zucchini and squash, or heftier veggies like mushrooms, onions, and olives. No matter which toppings you enjoy on your veggie pizza, a good Chardonnay or Rosé will always do the trick. Unoaked Chardonnay has more of a fruit forward flavor profile with hints of earthiness to balance out the vegetables. Fruity, floral Rosé has higher notes of acidity and lends a nice refreshing layer that won’t overpower tomato sauce and roasted tomatoes.
Movie Quote: “This is Halloween, this is Halloween! Pumpkins scream in the dead of night!”
Cellar Collection Suggestions:
4 Estaciones Spring Malbec Rosé
Pepperoni and Pinot Noir
Pepperoni is another classic pizza topping, and a fan favorite. We suggest avoiding white wine this time around- the spice and fattiness of pepperoni will overpower a delicate white. Instead, opt for a light bodied red such as Pinot Noir with a little bit of fruitiness, which will have a low tannin level. Pinot Noir is typically lower in acid, which will really highlight the sugar and acid from the tomato sauce. South American Pinots bring a whole new level or flavor to the traditional Italian herbs that are used on pizza.
Movie Quote: “You know, it’s Halloween. I guess everybody’s entitled to one good scare, huh?”
Cellar Collection Suggestions:
Schroeder Estate Patagonia Pinot Noir
Tomato Sauceless Pizza and Pinot Grigio
Pizza with no tomato sauce has gained popularity in the past few years. Ranging from olive oil and garlic to Alfredo or basil pesto, there’s a myriad of pizza ‘sauce’ bases everyone can enjoy. Pinot Grigio is the perfect pair for this kind of ‘za. Fruity and bursting with citrus notes, it complements the non-acidic and often creamy sauces. Typically, red sauce-based pizza will be too acidic for a Pinot Grigio and washes out the flavor, making it taste dull.
Movie Quote: “Go ahead, make my millennium.”
Cellar Collection Suggestions:
Between The Vines Pinot Grigio
What Cellar Collection wine are you currently drinking, and what Halloween movies are you watching? Share your photos with us! Tag @thewinecellargroup and use #TheWineCellarGroup for a chance to be featured on our page. Join our email list for more fun wine tips, deals, and upcoming events!
Movie Quote Answers:
Cheese Pizza- Hocus Pocus
Meat Lovers- Ghostbusters
Veggie- The Nightmare Before Christmas
Pepperoni- Halloween
Tomato Sauceless- Beetlejuice
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