7 Italian Wine and Pizza Pairings for National Pizza Month 2026

Americans eat roughly 3 billion pizzas a year, and industry figures widely cited by the pizza trade say about 93% of us have at least one slice every month. Yet on most pizza nights the wine question gets the least thought of anything on the table. October is National Pizza Month, a tradition Pizza Today publisher Gerry Durnell started back in 1984, and it is the perfect excuse to fix that.

The good news: Italy solved this pairing centuries ago. Piedmont's grapes, with their bright acidity and food-first build, handle tomato, cheese, cured meat and even dessert pizza better than almost anything else in the glass. Below are seven pizza styles and the Duchessa Lia bottle that makes each one better, with serving temperatures taken straight from the winery's official tech sheets.

Key Takeaways

• Acid beats tomato. Pick reds with lively acidity (Barbera, Nebbiolo) over big, oaky, low-acid reds.
• White pizza wants a white wine. Garlic, clams and pesto shine with a crisp Piedmont Gavi.
• Heat loves a little sweetness. Hot honey and spicy pepperoni meet their match in a lightly sparkling, low-alcohol red.
• Save the Barolo for truffle night. Earthy mushroom and truffle pies are where Nebbiolo's top wines earn their place.
• Serve reds slightly cool (64 to 68°F) and sparkling sweets well chilled (43 to 50°F).

Is Pizza Better With White or Red Wine?

Both work, and the topping decides, not the crust. Tomato sauce is high in acid, so the wine needs acidity of its own or it will taste flat and flabby next to it. That is why a tomato-based pie usually pairs best with a medium-bodied, high-acid red. Take the tomato away, as in a white pizza with ricotta, garlic or clams, and a crisp, mineral white becomes the smarter call.

What Do Italians Drink With Pizza?

In Naples, plenty of people drink beer or soda with a pizza. At the table in Piedmont, the everyday answer is the local red: Barbera, Dolcetto or a young Nebbiolo. These are wines built to drink with food on a Tuesday night, not to sit alone on a pedestal, and that everyday spirit is exactly what pizza night needs.

7 Pizza and Duchessa Lia Pairings for National Pizza Month

1. Classic Margherita + Barbera d'Asti DOCG

Tomato, fresh mozzarella and basil need a red with electric acidity and soft tannins, and that is Barbera's whole personality. The Duchessa Lia Barbera d'Asti (13.5% ABV) shows black cherry, wild berries and a touch of white pepper, and its official sheet lists it as "ideal with first courses and red meat dishes." If you only buy one pizza wine this month, make it this one. Serve at 64 to 68°F.

2. Sausage and Mushroom + Nebbiolo d'Alba DOC

Fennel sausage and roasted mushrooms bring savory depth that a lighter red cannot match. Nebbiolo d'Alba gives you Piedmont's noble grape without the wait: dried rose, red cherry and a whisper of truffle earthiness, framed by firm but never aggressive tannins. Give it a few minutes in a decanter or a wide glass. Serve at 64 to 68°F.

3. White Clam Pie or Garlic Bianca + Gavi DOCG

Fans of the New Haven clam pie already know this pizza needs something crisp. Gavi, made from the Cortese grape (12.5% ABV), is pale straw with green flecks, green apple and a saline, flinty finish. The winery calls it a natural companion to seafood, and it also stands up to pesto and fresh goat cheese, so it doubles for a pesto or veggie pizza. Serve at 50°F.

4. Hot Honey Pepperoni + Gala Rosé

This is the pairing that surprises people. Spicy pepperoni drizzled with hot honey has become a pizzeria favorite, and heat plus alcohol burns. Duchessa Lia Gala Rosé is a bright, lightly sparkling sweet red at just 5.5% ABV, with wild strawberry and raspberry notes. The official sheet recommends it with barbecue and spiced food, and a little sweetness cools the chili while the bubbles scrub the fat. Serve well chilled, 43 to 46°F.

5. Wild Mushroom and Truffle + Barolo DOCG

White truffle season in Alba runs through early December (see our truffle season pairing guide), and a truffle or porcini pizza is the one pie worthy of the "King of Wines." Duchessa Lia Barolo (Nebbiolo, 14% ABV) brings floral and fruity aromas with spice and hints of worked leather, full-bodied and properly tannic. Open it an hour ahead. Serve at 64°F.

6. Meat Lover's or Chicago Deep Dish + Barbaresco DOCG

Layers of sausage, pepperoni and a thick blanket of cheese call for structure. Barbaresco, Nebbiolo from the hills just north of Alba (14% ABV), offers a vinous, spicy bouquet and a pleasantly tannic grip that cuts through a deep-dish slice without getting lost in it. Serve at 64 to 68°F.

7. Dessert Pizza + Moscato d'Asti DOCG

Nutella with strawberries, a cinnamon apple pie, or a ricotta and honey finish: dessert pizza needs a wine at least as sweet as the plate. Duchessa Lia Moscato d'Asti was awarded a Gold Medal and 95 points at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2026. Wisteria, acacia and fresh fruit at 5.5% ABV make it the lightest way to end the night. Serve at 46 to 50°F.

What Red Wine Is Best With Pizza?

For most tomato-based pizzas, Barbera is the safest red on the shelf: high acidity, low tannin and generous fruit. Step up to Nebbiolo d'Alba when the toppings get meatier or earthier, and keep Barolo and Barbaresco for the special pies. Avoid heavily oaked, high-alcohol reds with spicy toppings, since oak and alcohol amplify the heat.

A Spanish Detour for BBQ Chicken Pizza

Not every pizza is Italian, and neither is every pairing. Smoky BBQ chicken pizza is a natural for Tempranillo from Rioja, where our family has made wine for five generations since 1890. The Manzanos Reserva Rioja 2018 earned 93 points from Wine Enthusiast, and the Manzanos Gran Reserva Rioja 2015 scored 95 points. Browse the full lineup on our wines page.

For Pizzerias, Restaurants and Retailers: Make October Count

Pizzerias make up a big slice of American restaurants, and pizza night is one of the easiest moments to trade a guest up from a soda to a glass or a bottle. A few moves that work this month:

• Print one pairing per pie on the menu or a table card. A single line ("Margherita + Barbera d'Asti") sells more wine than a long list.
• Pour a "pizza flight" of Gavi, Barbera and Gala Rosé so guests can taste white, red and sweet sparkling in one order.
• Build a take-home bundle in retail: a pizza kit or a frozen premium pie next to a Barbera and a Moscato for dessert.
• Use the low-alcohol angle. Gala Rosé and Moscato d'Asti sit at 5.5% ABV, a strong answer for guests who want to drink less without skipping the glass.

Manzanos Wines USA keeps the portfolio in stock in the U.S., ready to ship to all 50 states, with more than 600 wines rated 90 points or higher across our brands. Retailers, restaurants and distributors can source through us here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What wine goes with pizza?

A medium-bodied Italian red with high acidity, such as Barbera d'Asti, is the most versatile choice for tomato-based pizza. For white pizzas with garlic, seafood or pesto, a crisp white like Gavi works better, and dessert pizzas pair best with a sweet sparkling Moscato d'Asti.

Why is October National Pizza Month?

National Pizza Month was started in October 1984 by Gerry Durnell, the publisher of Pizza Today magazine, to celebrate one of America's favorite foods. Pizzerias, restaurants and retailers now use the month for specials and promotions.

Should red wine be chilled for pizza night?

Slightly. The Duchessa Lia tech sheets recommend 64 to 68°F for Barbera, Nebbiolo d'Alba and Barbaresco, which is cooler than most rooms. Fifteen minutes in the fridge before opening brings a red close to that range and keeps it fresh next to hot, cheesy food.

What is a good low-alcohol wine for pizza?

Gala Rosé and Moscato d'Asti from Duchessa Lia are both 5.5% ABV. Gala Rosé fits spicy and barbecue-style pizzas, while Moscato d'Asti is the classic match for dessert pizza.

Find Your Pizza Night Bottle

Our wines are available across the country at retailers including Total Wine & More, Costco, Spec's, Binny's, Hy-Vee and Albertsons. Use Find Our Wines to see what is stocked near you, then order the pie, pull the cork and celebrate National Pizza Month the Piedmont way. For more Italian table ideas, see our Italian-American Heritage Month pairings.

Manzanos Wines USA is the premier importer of premium wines from Spain, Italy, Chile, South Africa, and France, serving all 50 US states through our nationwide distributor network. Learn more at manzanoswinesusa.com.

Please enjoy responsibly. Must be 21+.