Pizza Diavola & Wine
Spicy Salami, Chili & Mozzarella
Pizza Diavola — the Devil's Pizza — is loaded with spicy Calabrian salami and fresh chili. Its bold, fiery character is the most demanding pizza for wine pairing. You need wines that cool the heat rather than amplify it: low tannin, high acidity, and ideally a touch of residual sweetness.
Best Wine Pairings
Barbera's low tannins, high acidity, and juicy berry fruit are ideal — the wine tames the chili heat without getting overwhelmed.
This deep rosé from Abruzzo has the fruit of red wine with the freshness of white — perfect with spicy pizza.
The light, slightly sparkling Lambrusco with its gentle fruitiness is a brilliant spicy food companion.
An off-dry Gewürztraminer's residual sweetness counterbalances the Diavola's heat — unexpectedly brilliant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What wine with spicy pizza?
Barbera d'Asti, Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo rosé, or a slightly sweet Lambrusco di Sorbara are the best choices. All have low tannins that don't amplify heat.
Does chili pizza ruin wine pairing?
Not if you choose correctly. Tannins amplify heat — avoid bold reds. Low-tannin reds, rosés, and off-dry whites are your friends with fiery pizza.
What's the best drink with Diavola pizza?
Wine: Barbera d'Asti or a dry rosé. Beer: a refreshing lager or wheat beer. The key is cooling the palate, not fighting the heat.