The slight chill in the air means more than just the arrival of fall. It signals the return of kids in school, hectic work schedules, holiday shopping (it seems to get earlier every year, doesn’t it?) and heavy rush-hour traffic. Planning weeknight dinners can take the planning and concentration skills usually reserved for air-traffic controls working the international runway at LAX.
Sometimes all you want to do is to come home, order a pizza and open a decent bottle of wine. And the wine has to do is satisfy two simple rules; be tasty and cost less than the pizza.
And while we may disagree (slightly) on the style of wine we want to unwind with, we both agree that a proper pizza wine should cost less than $20. So, in an attempt to help reduce the stress of having to make one more decision at the end of a busy day, we offer our picks for the perfect wine to go with pizza. Retail prices are approximate.
She Said
I like wines that I can either enjoy on their own or with food. Therefore, I want a wine that has lush flavors up front but features a mellow, well-rounded finish.
» 2006 Tahbilk Marsanne, Nagambie Lakes, Australia ($14)
Available at Schneider’s of Capitol Hill in DC
If you’re in the mood for white pizza, this succulent white Rhone varietal wine will fit in quite nicely. Floral scents of honeysuckle and orange blossoms are prominent in the nose, but it’s the lush flavors of apricot and peach — built on a citrusy frame — that keep my tongue captivated. The medium finish features just a hint of candied orange.
» 2003 Borgo di Colloredo, Aglianico, Terre degli Osci, Molise, Italy ($12)
Available at Schneider’s of Capitol Hill in DC
Made from 100 percent Aglianico grapes, this wine is both powerful and seductive at the same time and features scents of black currants, raisins and blackberries on the big nose. Flavors of ripe plums, Asian spices and mocha coat the palate on the medium frame and hints of chocolate are featured on the smooth finish.
» 2003 The Potts Family “Bleadsdale” Shiraz/Cabernet, Langhorne Creek, Australia ($15)
Available at Schneider’s of Capitol Hill and Paul’s of Chevy Chase, both in DC
Almost equal parts of shiraz and cabernet make up this rich, full red. Spicy aromas of raspberries and blueberries fill the nose while luscious flavors of dark plum, pepper and graphite play on the palate. Mild tannins hold up the structure nicely.
» 2005 West Cape Howe Shiraz, Western Australia ($15)
Available at The Vineyard in McLean, VA
A perennial favorite at our house, the chocolaty nose features hints of blackberries and raspberries. The smooth, opulent flavors of blackberry, black plums, roasted coffee and mocha are enhanced by the sweet tannins that provide backbone to the medium-structured wine. Notes of black pepper at the end remind you that you’re drinking a classic shiraz.
He Said
Me? I’m all about the pizza/wine pairing, so I’m going to look for wines that offer a good bit of acidity to keep the sauce in check and refresh my palate between bites of sausage and olives — thick crust, of course.
» 2006 Cline Cellars Los Carneros Viognier, Carneros, California ($15)
Available at Planet Wine & Gourmet inAlexandria, VA
If you’re looking for a white wine to break out of your chardonnay rut with, this is it. Pretty aromas of peaches and white nectarines grab your nose while lush flavors of apricot, nectarine, honeysuckle and clove make your mouth feel like a million buck. Ample acidity provides a clean and crisp finish. Try it with seafood pizza.
» 2005 Sipacha Granacha Calatayud, Spain ($9)
Available at Schneider’s of Capitol Hill in DC
Made from 100 percent grenache, this wine boasts tons of ripe black cherries and raspberry fruit on the aromatic nose. Abundant acidity keeps the fresh fruit flavors of black plum, blackberry and cherry bright and focused while the soft tannins give the wine balance and depth. Hints of exotic spices on the finish make you feel like you’re drinking a wine worth three times the price.
» 2005 Finca La Estacada Tempranillo, Spain ($15)
Available at Finewine.com in McLean, VA
This tempranillo was aged for only six months in used oak, so it’s fruit is not masked by wood. Notes of black cherries, violets and crème de cassis glide over the tongue. Pleasant hints of mushrooms and earth provide depth on the velvety finish. Try it with chorizo on your pizza for a spicy twist.
» 2005 d’Arenberg The Stump Jump Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvedre Blend, Australia ($14)
Available at Central Liquors in DC and Planet Wine and Gourmet in Alexandria, VA
Sweet scents of ripe red cherries, raspberries, kirsch and spices can be found in the nose of this big red blend. Substantial flavors of black cherry, cassis and pepper are kept inline with sweet tannins and great acidity. This is a great wine to enjoy with a meat lovers pizza – preferably steak pizza.
Do you have a favorite bottle of wine? E-mail me at [email protected].
