In a conversation last night the words ‘quality should not be exclusive’ were said. We were talking good quality wine at affordable prices and without the heavy mark up found in some bars and restaurants.
It’s the second time I’d heard this sentiment in two days. The first time was from the mouth of Guy Lavayssiere – wine merchant turned pizza chef at Pizza & Wine in Heaton Mersey.
Pizza & Wine is a take away, with a difference. It’s grown up. It’s not stuffed crusts and pineapple. It’s not cheap mozzarella and frozen bases.
Everything on site is fresh – bought fresh, prepared fresh, there’s no freezer on site.
The dough is made fresh every morning, toppings either made on site, or sourced from the best suppliers.
And the wine? Guy hasn’t let his old profession slide. He still imports delicious wines from France to match with his pizzas, or for you to just buy a bottle to take home.
Keeley and I were invited by Guy to come and sample some of his pizzas for ourselves and given the reputation this little hideway in Didsbury Road has gained in a short space of time, we were more than happy to indulge ourselves.
After a small sample of the ‘test’ pizza Guy creates daily to ensure the oven is at the correct temperature, and a delicious glass of wine in hand – Keeley and I watched Guy prepare one of his business partner Henric’s specialties.
Buffalo mozzarella and French goat’s cheese sit atop the dough base and tomato sauce. Cooked to perfection in just two and a half minutes and topped with Parma ham.
Unsurprisingly, it was divine. The quality is unmistakable and the flavour and texture meld beautifully.
Keeley and I both sampled the pizza with different wines in hand, though both from the same vineyard. Given the delightfully sunny weather, Keeley had selected the rose, whereas I had opted for the more velvety rich red. At £8.99 a bottle, an absolute bargain for wines you’ll struggle to find anywhere else and yet are still the price of something lesser at your local supermarket.
Our next sampling was of a ‘white’ pizza. Instead of a tomato base, creme fraiche is smoothed over the dough, before the mozzarella and thick slices of smoked salmon. After the prerequisite two minutes in the pizza oven, fresh dill is placed on top.
Of course, my red wine would have clashed with the salmon, so it was a sample of the Sauvignon Blanc, again from Chateau Haut Pougnan that accompanied it. Lots of pears and a lick of lemon to cut through the richness of the salmon and creme fraiche.
But I know. You’re desperate to ask aren’t you? How much?
Prices run from £8 for a margarita pizza, through to £12 for the delightful sounding forestiere with wild mushrooms, Roquefort and truffle.
There is also a fabulous number of wines available to buy – above and beyond those that myself and Keeley sampled – some absolute stunners that I was keen to get my little fat fingers on.
So keen, that after a weekend of running and a sincere dearth of time spent with Mr GFB, the opportunity to order something to share with him with a good glass of wine was too good to miss.
The Sicilian called to me, with it’s French anchovies, as did the merguez with it’s spicy sausage, again both sourced from a quality supplier. Rather than choosing, I purchased both, along with a rather lovely bottle of Chateau Margaux 2009.
Was my pizza cold by the time I got it home and let my wine breathe? Well of course. Did it suffer for it? Not at all.
Picnic in the living room, with perfect pizza, glorious wine and restorative cuddles?
Don’t mind if I do.
