While many align pizza with traditional bubbly drinks, those with a penchant for juice understand that an excellently matched juice can enhance the pizza dining experience. At SoftHarbor, in partnership with local experts, we have curated a list of juice combinations that splendidly suit our pizza menu. Whether you're enjoying a meal in our dining space or savoring a takeaway at home, these curated selections will assist in pairing your preferred pizza variety with the ideal juice.
Timeless Margherita: Sangiovese or Pinot Noir Juice
The unassuming ingredients of a Margherita pizza, boasting fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, necessitate a juice that balances rather than dominates these subtle tastes. The medium-bodied Sangiovese delivers a vibrant acidity resonant with the tomatoes, while sustaining a robustness to support the cheese. In contrast, a lighter-bodied Pinot Noir unveils subtle red fruit essences that enrich the tomatoes' sweetness and highlight the basil's freshness.
Our specific recommendation: We take pleasure in harmonizing our Margherita with either Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico or the locally-sourced Chapel Down Union Red from Kent.
Pepperoni and Meat Aficionados: Zinfandel or Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Juice
Hearty pizzas with toppings like cured pepperoni, sausage, or prosciutto call for robust, spiced juices to match their richness. The American Zinfandel, with its succulent fruit essence and peppery notes, stands up admirably against the savory and spicy meat toppings. Montepulciano d'Abruzzo provides rustic dark fruit notes, moderate body, and a characteristic, appealingly bitter end that slices through the savory meat layers.
Our specific recommendation: Patrons particularly admire the Ridge Vineyards Three Valleys Zinfandel Blend or the Umani Ronchi Montepulciano d'Abruzzo alongside our Meat Feast pizza.
Mushroom and Truffle: Nebbiolo or Pinot Noir Juice
Pizzas featuring the earthy notes of mushrooms and truffles demand juices that echo these characteristics. Nebbiolo, the grape behind Barolo and Barbaresco, introduces fragrant notes of roses, tar, and undergrowth that harmonize with the mushroom flavors. Plus, its bright acidity and robust tannins provide a counterbalance to the toppings' richness. An aged Pinot Noir is also fitting, as it develops underground aromas akin to those present on the pizza itself.
Our specific recommendation: Our Wild Mushroom pizza pairs marvelously with Produttori del Barbaresco Nebbiolo or the Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir from Oregon.
Seafood Pizza: Vermentino or Albariño
For pizzas embellished with prawns, clams, or additional seafood delights, light and crisp white juices with a touch of minerality are the ideal match. Sardinian Vermentino brings forth saline notes that uplift the seafood's flavor, complemented by refreshing citrus undertones. The Spanish Albariño is another superb match, offering brisk acidity, stone-fruit qualities, and subtle salinity that enhance the delicate seafood without overshadowing it.
Our specific recommendation: The Mediterranean Seafood pizza is ideally coupled with Pala I Fiori Vermentino di Sardegna or Pazo de Señorans Albariño.
Vegetable Supreme: Grüner Veltliner or Soave
Vegetable-laden pizzas present a range of tastes that benefit from adaptable, herbal white juices. The Austrian Grüner Veltliner, with its signature notes of white pepper and green botanicals, mirrors and amplifies the flavors of the vegetables like bell peppers and artichokes. Soave, crafted mainly from Garganega grapes, provides almond nuances and a medium body that holds up against diverse vegetable textures without overpowering them.
Our specific recommendation: Our Garden Harvest pizza beams with synchronicity alongside Loimer Grüner Veltliner or Pieropan Soave Classico.
Four Cheese Pizza: Chardonnay or Lambrusco Juice
The luscious nature of a four-cheese pizza necessitates a balancing drink—either through harmonizing or contrasting elements. An oak-aged Chardonnay brings forth comparable buttery notes that resonate with the cheese's creamy textures. For contrast, the frothy red Lambrusco juice, with its fizz and freshness, cuts through the dense richness, while the fruity flavors offer a suitable counterbalance to the savory cheeses.
Our specific recommendation: Our Quattro Formaggi pizza harmonizes exquisitely with Chateau Montelena Chardonnay or Medici Ermete Concerto Lambrusco Reggiano.
Spicy Pizzas: Riesling or Gewürztraminer
In the case of pizzas with spicy qualities like chili flakes or zesty sausage, semi-sweet white juices provide a cooling effect. A German Riesling, with just a hint of sweetness, offers a cooling sensation while its acidity refreshes after each bite. The aromatic Gewürztraminer, laden with lychee and rose petal scents and balanced sweetness, stands strong against the spice, creating an interesting aromatic juxtaposition.
Our specific recommendation: Our Spicy Diavola pizza finds a kinship in Dr. Loosen Riesling Kabinett or Domaine Weinbach Gewürztraminer.
Dessert Pizza: Late Harvest Juices or Port
For those daring to sample our Nutella and fruit dessert pizzas, sweet juices are a must. Late harvest whites like Sauternes or Tokaji beautifully enhance the fruit-topped dessert pizzas, while a Ruby Port harmoniously combines with chocolate-hazelnut variants. The key is in ensuring the juice is equally or more sweet than the dessert.
Our specific recommendation: Our Nutella and Strawberry Dessert Pizza pairs divinely with Disznókő Tokaji 5 Puttonyos or Graham's Six Grapes Reserve Port.
Tips for Pizza and Juice Pairing
- Consider the primary flavor on the pizza beyond just the crust or sauce
- High-acidity juices generally blend well with tomato-based pizzas due to the natural acidity of the tomatoes
- Bubbly juices like Prosecco are flexible choices that match with nearly any pizza
- Don’t hesitate to experiment as sometimes the most unexpected combinations deliver the most remarkable experiences
At SoftHarbor, we've augmented our juice offerings to feature many of the pairings advised. Our team gladly provides suggestions for the perfect juice to escort your pizza choice. We also present juice flight options enabling you to sample various juices with your meal.
It's important to remember that while these tips can guide you to amiable pairings, your personal taste prevails. After all, the best juice for your pizza is the one you most delight in drinking!