If you’ve ever been to Italy you know the way we treat pizza in Canada is a crime. Over there the combination of dough, tomatoes, mozzarella and toppings is an art form. Here, with some notable exceptions, our attempt at a good pie is a bore that takes an hour to deliver.
It drives me crazy because I love pizza (especially my wife’s homemade creations) and there is nothing I enjoy more than a few slices washed down with a glass or two of vino.
The best pick is a red with low acidity because the tomato sauce will bring more than enough to the party. Wines made from the Sangiovese grape (like those from Italy’s Chianti region) are a classic match.
The 2007 Trapiche Malbec ($8.65 – $10.90) from Argentina is a nice alternative especially if you are looking to drink on the cheap. Though enjoyable now, its blueberry fruit and youthful tannins could still use some time in the bottle to mellow.
I’m partial to Spanish Rioja with my pie and the soft, wild cherry fruit with a touch of wood spice that is the 2006 Campo Viejo Crianza ($14.45 – $17.50) will have you reaching for another piece.
(Prices reflect the range across the country. Some products may not be available in all provinces.)
– Peter Rockwell is the everyman’s wine writer, working in the liquor industry for more than 25 years and travelling the globe looking for something to fill his glass and put into words.
