Sohm's Pizza Pairings

Sure, wine director Aldo Sohm can advise diners at the upscale New York City restaurants Blaue Gans, Cafe Sabarsky and Wallse on great bottles to open with duck and venison -- such as the 1995 Vega Sicilia "Unico" Ribera del Duero that tops his lists at $550.

But how would this wine expert respond when asked for a few tips for the rest of us -- say, pizza eaters who don't feel like shelling out more than 20 bucks to accompany a slice or two?

There was no stumping him: Sohm didn't even blink before sharing a few recommendations on what to drink with pizza and even tomato-sauced pastas:

2003 Lan Crianza Rioja (Spain), $11

2004 Falesco Vitiano (Umbria, Italy), $10

2004 Barbera d'Asti Prunotto (Piedmont, Italy), $14

2005 Zweigelt Hillinger (Burgenland, Austria), $17

Chianti Classico Vicchiomaggio Ripa delle Mandorle (Italy), $20