Pineapple Pizza and Prosecco Cocktails
11th March 2021
Pineapple on Pizza is always going to start a debate about whether the sweet fruit should be placed onto the savoury pizza, everyone has their own opinion on this subject, whether it be in favour, against or simply don’t mind, it’s a pizza that everyone should try once to form their own opinion.
The Hawaiian Pizza
This Hawaiian pizza contains cheese, tomato sauce, pineapple and ham, the origins of this pizza start all the way back in 1957.
The first reported time Pineapple was served as a topping on a pizza was at Francine’s Pizza Jungle in Portland, Oregon in early 1957, but it is Sam Panopoulos who claimed to create and is credited for the first Hawaiian Pizza at the Satellite Restaurant in Chatham, Ontario, Canada in 1962.
During his time working with Chinese dishes, he saw that they mixed sweet and savoury flavours together, this inspired him to experiment with adding pineapple, ham and bacon onto his pizza.
At first, his pizza topping choice wasn’t very popular, but over time it gained popularity and is still around and enjoyed today, it’s interesting to know that when he first put pineapple on pizza, it was canned pineapple instead of fresh pineapple.
Sam Panopoulos was born in Greece on the 20th of August of 1934 and sadly died on the 8th of June 2017 in Canada.
Sam Panopoulos – “Nobody liked it at first. But after that, they went crazy about it.”
The Proseccos
Villa Sandi
Villa Sandi produces what seems to be like an endless supply of Prosecco, but without ever compromising on quality, located in the picturesque region of Prosecco, Villa Sandi has a history dating back to 1622.
Villa Sandi – Prosecco DOC Brut Il Fresco Biologico Organic Tasting Notes
Aromas – “Smooth, creamy, green fruit aromas.”
Flavours – “Green fruits, fresh green apple juice and freshly cut grass flavours.”
This Prosecco from Villa Sandi Won a Gold Medal in the Gastronomic Category at The World’s Finest Glass of Bubbly Awards 2020.
Montelvini
Montelvini has been around for 135 years, owned by the Serena family, the current owner, Armando Serena has been President of Montelvini since 1968, located in a small region in Montello in Italy, the Serena family has dedicated themselves to producing wine with skill and passion.
Montelvini – Serenitatis Asolo Prosecco Superiore Extra Brut 2019 Tasting Notes
Aromas – “Fresh orchid and yellow fruits on the aroma.”
Flavours – “Fizzy green citrus, green apples and minerals on the palate.”
This Prosecco from Montelvini Won a Gold Medal in the Gastronomic Category at The World’s Finest Glass of Bubbly Awards 2020.
Casa Gheller
The vineyards of Casa Gheller are located in the Trevisan hills in the classic Valdobbiadene DOC area, which is well known for the production of Prosecco.
Casa Gheller – Valdobbiadene Prosecco Extra Dry Tasting Notes
Aromas – “Delicate orchid fruits, freshly cut grass and green apples on the aroma.”
Flavours – “Green herbs, green citrus and green apples on the palate.”
This Prosecco from Casa Gheller Won a Bronze Medal in the Gastronomic Category at The World’s Finest Glass of Bubbly Awards 2020.
The Pineapple Prosecco Cocktails
As you’re delving deep into the flavours of pineapple, I thought it a good idea to create a lovely pineapple cocktail to enjoy before or with your Hawaiian Pizza.
Ingredients
- Prosecco
- Pineapple Juice
- Coconut Milk
- Dark Rum
- Lime Juice
- Pineapple Chunk
How To Make
- Start off with 5mls of Lime Juice
- Add 20mls of Rum
- Pour in 75mls of Pineapple Juice
- Add 40mls of Coconut Milk
- Top up with your Prosecco
- Add a Pineapple Chunk on the rim of your glass to finish.
Villa Sandi Cocktail Tasting Notes
Aromas – “Creamy Pineapple aromas.”
Flavours – “Creamy green notes with milky coconut and pineapple flavours.”
Montelvini Cocktail Tasting Notes
Aromas – “Creamy coconut and pineapple aromas.”
Flavours – “Smooth and easy to drink, a perfect blend of coconut and pineapple with that little fizz that reminds you there’s alcohol in this symphony of a Cocktail.”
Casa Gheller Tasting Notes
Aromas – “Coconut and pineapples on the aroma.”
Flavours – “More fizz on the tongue with your coconut and Pineapple flavour, this time with a strong prea2of green fruits and apple skins.”
Pineapple Pizza and Prosecco Pairings
Villa Sandi
“Green fruits overlay the sweetness from the Pineapple and ham, but don’t overpower, the pizza shines through just enough to keep you engaged and interested while still enjoying the green fruits. A really nice combination.”
Montelvini
“The fizz takes control at the beginning, leading the charge, but then allows the sweet Pineapple and ham flavours to shine brighter, although the fizz comes in heavy the final result works, but only if you have a piece of sweet pineapple on the slice as it neutralises the strength of the Prosecco.”
Casa Gheller
“This Prosecco comes in strong with green fruits and green citrus, the Prosecco leaves a green hint all the way through the bite, with the ham and Pineapple working with the green citrus.”
Oliver Walkey
WSET 2 Journalist focused on sharing Champagne and Sparkling Wine reviews and cocktails to the world.