Ana Cahuas asked me if I would be interested in pairing wines from the Bread & Butter Winery in California with pizza. I have always been very interested not only in making and eating pizza but also the perfect wine to drink with it. In fact, Michele and I even wrote a pizza cookbook some years ago entitled Pizza Anyway You Slice It. I answered Ana with an enthusiastic “Yes!”
Linda Trotta, wine maker for the Bread & Butter Winery, was responsible for the pairing suggestions. Linda is a second generation Italian-American with a career in wine making spanning over 30 years and on four continents. The Bread & Butter winery is located on the Silverado Trail in Napa Valley.
Linda recommended 3 different wines paired with 3 different pizzas. I was particularly interested in her wine pairing suggestions as I have little experience with pizza and wine from California.
Bread & Butter 2023 California Chardonnay made from 100% Chardonnay. There is a partial malolactic fermentation and the wine is in American and French oak. The wine maker describes the wine as ”A rich and memorable Chardonnay with creamy notes of vanilla bean, almond and a touch of tropical fruit. Balanced acidity and savory oak lead to a long, smooth finish.” It is priced at $16
Linda suggests the wine with a classic Margherita pizza from a wood-fired oven. This combination worked because “La Margherita” goes well with almost any dry wine. I also like to drink Blanc de Blancs (Chardonnay) Champagnes with this pizza.
Bread & Butter 2023 California Pinot Noir 100% Pinot Noir aged in French and American oak. The wine has hints of cherries, raspberries and a touch of cassis. $16
Linda recommends trying it with “Classic pepperoni pizza from your favorite neighborhood slice shop.” My choice for this wine would be a sausage pizza, such as the one pictured above with peppers, artichokes and onions.
Bread & Butter 2023 California Cabernet Sauvignon aged in American and French oak. The wine has hints of red and black berries black currants, black pepper and a touch of spice. $16
Pair with a hearty meat-lovers’ pie, recommends Linda. My choice for this full bodied wine would be a sausage and broccoli rabe pizza.
If you are looking for California wines to go with your pizza Bread & Butter is good choice.