Honey Spencer x Crosta Mollica reveal the perfect Italian night-in pairings
Wine and pizza may be one of Italy’s most instinctive combinations, but choosing the right bottle is not always as simple as reaching for a big Italian red.
Award-winning sommelier, restaurateur and wine writer Honey Spencer has partnered with Crosta Mollica to create A Pairing Perfetto, a new guide exploring what happens when regionally-inspired Italian pizza is paired with wine from the same culinary landscape.
Inspired by Crosta Mollica’s Collezione Romana range, featuring thin, crisp, 24-hour slow-proved sourdough pizzas, the guide travels from the Mediterranean coastline to the Alpine vineyards of northern Italy, where regionally-inspired recipes and unique grape varieties come together to create something really special.
“Pizza and wine are two of Italy’s greatest pleasures, and what makes them so exciting is how the flavours change from region to region. Crosta Mollica’s Collezione Romana range was a delicious starting point to explore everything from crisp coastal whites to lesser-known Alpine reds. It’s been a joy discovering how the right glass can bring out something new in each pizza.”
– Honey Spencer, award-winning sommelier and restaurateur
From intimate dinner parties and romantic evenings to making an occasion of an otherwise ordinary Tuesday, A Pairing Perfetto is an invitation to slow down, pour generously, and discover the pleasures of exceptional Italian pizza and perfectly paired wine.
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Portofino Pizza x Vermentino
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Sweet yellow tomatoes, creamy buffalo mozzarella and fragrant basil meet a crisp, citrusy Vermentino for a taste of the Ligurian coast. Vermentino has note minerali to cut through the creamy mozzarella, pairing beautifully with the acidity of the pomodorini.
Honey’s tip: Serve chilled at 7–10°C, or try Pigato, a fuller-bodied Ligurian relative of Vermentino, for a more adventurous pairing.
Bolzano Pizza x Montepulciano
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Salsiccia sausage, balsamic red onion and fragrant rosemary meet their match in Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, a smooth, dark-fruited Italian red with easy-going tannins. It matches the richness of the salsiccia without overwhelming it, while the acidic, peppery accents complement the pomodoro.
Honey’s tip: Serve slightly chilled in a narrow-rimmed glass, or try Teroldego, a rare Alpine red rescued from the brink of extinction, for those who want to dial up the spice in the sausage.
Bosco di Alba Pizza x Barbera
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Earthy truffles, woodland mushrooms and roasted garlic crema pair beautifully with Barbera, a vibrant red from Piemonte. Its earthy, cherry profilo counters the rich funghi, and aromatic hints that echo the black pepper finish.
Honey’s tip: Serve at 13–16°C. Not a red wine drinker? Try Timorasso, a lesser-known Piemontese white that pairs beautifully with truffles.
Toscana Pizza x Sangiovese
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Red wine salami and fennel salami, pecorino cream, smoked provola, cavolo nero and sweet fig salsa meet a classic Sangiovese for the ultimate Tuscan pizza night. Its crisp acidity cuts through the creamy cheeses and sweet fig, while complementing the fennel salami’s subtle anise notes.
Honey’s tip: Serve Sangiovese at 15–18°C, or pop it in the fridge for ten minutes first. Try a Chianti, which brings lively acidity and savoury red fruit that stand up to the salami and fig.
“There’s something really special about the way Italians bring food and wine together, and we wanted to capture that feeling through this collaboration. Working with Honey has allowed us to further explore the flavours and stories behind our Collezione Romana pizzas and wine pairing, extending them beyond the plate and into the vineyards. We’ve created something that celebrates the joy of discovery, the richness of Italian food culture and the pleasure of elevating an ordinary evening at home.”
– Giacomo Coin, Senior Product Manager, Crosta Mollica
The full A Pairing Perfetto editorial guide is available here: https://tr.ee/sAUE4WJsxk
The perfect pizza and wine night is just a supermarket trip away. Crosta Mollica’s Collezione Romana range can be found at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Ocado and Waitrose, with Honey’s recommended wines stocked across major UK retailers and independent wine shops.
