Wines of the week to accompany pizza

Here are three wines that fit into the spirit of thirst-quenching wine – perfect to accompany pizza! But let’s talk price. I often hear consumers complain about the price of wines here. But Ariana Occhipinti’s wine, for example, sells for around forty dollars elsewhere in Canada, even more in New York! Even in Italy it costs around $24. Same for the Montesecondo, which retails for around $25 in Italy. We encourage winegrowers who contribute to the regeneration of soils and the preservation of the environment. And which therefore offers us living wines, which tell the story of a place. To travel cheaply!

Affordable: under the sign of authenticity

Austria’s flagship estate, and pioneer of biodynamics, the estate of Brigitte and Gerhard Pittnauer produces some of the country’s best wines. And they also make many affordable wines, with the same concern for transparency and authenticity, like this one. Made from a blend of zweigelt with 30% blaufränkisch, it offers a slightly tight nose, with aromas of black fruit, with notes of black earth, spices and flowers. The palate is fresh, tense and delicious. Very dry, light, it reveals fine tannins which provide chewiness. Praised by Eric Asimov in the New York Times, it sells for US$19 in New York. On the domain’s website, it costs 19.80 euros. I’ll let you make the conversions and rejoice at the price we pay here. It will be perfect with pizzas with tomatoes, sausage or green vegetables.

Keeping: 1 to 2 years

Weingut Pittnauer Pitti Burgenland 2022, $19.50, (14444201), 12.5%, organic

Consult the SAQ sheet

Classic: in the land of cypresses and olive trees

Silvio Messana cultivates his vines biodynamically in the hills southwest of Florence. He works with great gentleness, observation and reflection, and produces lively and unique wines. Rosso Toscana, a very refined expression of Sangiovese, transports us to this landscape of cypresses and olive trees. Pale in color, very fine on the nose, it develops melted aromas of undergrowth, morello cherry, tobacco and herbs. The palate is tasty and complex, carried by ripe fruit, and rather nourishing considering its low alcohol level. Lots of freshness and light tannins complete the picture and give a wine with strength and a certain depth, but above all very tasty. And of course, as a good Italian wine, it calls the table. Perfect for classic tomato-based pizzas, or even osso buco, sausage and rapini pasta, eggplant parmigiana.

Keeping: 3 to 5 years

Montesecondo Rosso Toscana 2022, $24.90, (13897574), 11%

Consult the SAQ sheet

Discovery: a unique wine by an exceptional winemaker

Arianna Occhipinti is an outstanding winemaker, who works with love and determination to offer us in bottle her corner of the country, in the south-east of Sicily. The SP68 vintage, made from Frapto and Nero d’Avola, is certainly a light wine. A glance at the comments on the SAQ website shows that not everyone likes it. And that’s normal! Thank goodness we are all different. But here I come to the defense of this wine, light yes, but invigorating and drinkable, with strength and chew and, above all, authentic and transparent. Pale, with a fine nose full of small red fruits, scrubland and anise, it charms with a tonic and lively palate. Gourmet and easy-drinking, with a hint of tannins, it calls for a second glass and the table. Garnish your pizzas with tomatoes, capers, olives and anchovies!

Keeping: 2 to 3 years

Occhipinti SP68 Rosso Terre Siciliane 2022, $34.00, (11811765), 11%, organic

Consult the SAQ sheet