What wine goes with sushi? Crisp whites, bubbles and sake
188 wines and sakes to serve with sushiWith sushi, serve a dry, crisp white such as a Riesling or a Grüner Veltliner, a brut sparkling wine, or a Japanese sake. These drinks go with the vinegared rice, the delicacy of the raw fish and the umami flavour of soy sauce.
For an assortment of salmon and California rolls, a German Riesling with a touch of sweetness is a lovely choice. White fish sashimi prefers the purity of a sake. With tuna or glazed eel, a light Pinot Noir served chilled makes a surprising match.
Zaku - Saké Isenishiki Étude
A Junmai Daiginjo of great purity, where aromatic finesse meets a crystalline and deep texture.
Harugokoro - Saké Kenroku Zakura Hiru
A Junmai Ginjo from Ishikawa that is all about delicacy, where the purity of the rice meets a subtle and refined freshness.
Sakehitosuji - Saké Akaiwa Omachi
A precise and crystalline Junmai Daiginjo from Omachi d'Akaiwa, which finely expresses the purity of its Okayama terroir.
Zaku - Saké Kizui
A Junmai Daiginjo from Mie of great purity, combining aromatic finesse, silky texture and a clean, umami finish.
Nanclares y Prieto - Dandelion 2024
A precise and saline Atlantic Albariño, combining crisp freshness and gourmet depth.
Suginishiki - Saké Edo No Haruzake Nigori
A Yamahai junmai nigori from Shizuoka, at once velvety, milky and deeply umami.
Fukunishiki - Saké Harimaji
A precise and refined Junmai Ginjo, which highlights the purity of the rice and the freshness of Hyogo.
Sakehitosuji - Saké Kimoto
A precise and harmonious Kimoto Junmai Ginjo, where the purity of the rice meets a silky and deep texture.
Zaku - Saké Naguwashi Suzuka Kaminoho
A pure and precise Junmai Daiginjo, which finely expresses the character of Kaminoho rice and the freshness of the Suzuka terroir.
Zaku - Saké Concentration H
A precise and concentrated Junmai, which highlights the purity of the rice and the freshness of its Mie terroir.
Yarra Yering - Warramate Chardonnay 2020
A precise and elegant Chardonnay from the Yarra Valley, where freshness, fruit finesse and controlled oak are harmoniously balanced.
Otronia - Rugiente 45 Corte de Blancas 2019
A Patagonian white from an extreme climate, precise and vibrant, where southern freshness meets a beautiful aromatic complexity.
Zaku - Saké Impression H Genshu
A precise and vibrant Junmai Genshu, where the purity of the fruit meets a full and silky texture.
Bouchard Finlayson - Blanc de Mer 2024
A maritime and chiseled white wine, where oceanic freshness meets a generous and precise aromatic profile.
Tyrrell's - Winemakers Selection Vat 1 Semillon 2018
An iconic Semillon from the Hunter Valley, of great purity, built for aging and aromatic complexity.
Pewsey Vale Vineyard - The Contours 10 Year Museum Release Riesling 2012
A precise and mineral Australian high-altitude Riesling, patiently aged to reveal the complexity of its cool Eden Valley terroir.
Vasse Felix - Premier Chardonnay 2022
A precise and elegant Australian maritime Chardonnay, where freshness, finesse and complexity are harmoniously balanced.
Tyrrell's - Hunter Valley Semillon 2022
A precise and crystalline Semillon from Hunter Valley, combining crisp freshness and great aging potential.
Tyrrell's - Single Vineyard HVD Semillon 2017
A Semillon from Hunter Valley of great purity, taut and crystalline, made for aging.
Otronia - Block III & VI Chardonnay 2019
A high-latitude Patagonian Chardonnay, taut and precise, where extreme freshness meets a remarkable saline depth.
Colmant Cap Classique - Blanc de Blanc
A classic pure Chardonnay from Cap, combining maritime freshness, fine bubbles and elegant brioche complexity.
Innocent Bystander - Chardonnay 2021
An Australian Chardonnay from a cool climate, combining precise fruit, vibrant freshness and measured elegance.
Mount Horrocks - Watervale Riesling 2022
A precise and crystalline Riesling from Watervale, where the freshness of citrus fruits meets a marked minerality.
Huber - Alte Setzen Erste Lage Grüner Veltliner 2023
A terroir-driven Grüner Veltliner, precise and saline, which expresses all the limestone finesse of the Traisental.
Which wine for which type of sushi?
The fish, the sauce and the condiment guide the choice. Here are our pointers for putting together your platter.
| Piece | Wines to choose | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| White fish sashimi sea bream, sea bass, John Dory | Dry sake, Grüner Veltliner | A purity that respects the delicacy of raw fish. |
| Salmon nigiri and sashimi salmon nigiri, salmon sashimi | Dry or off-dry Riesling, lightly oaked Chardonnay | Acidity balances the richness of the salmon, and a touch of fruit softens the soy. |
| California rolls and avocado maki California, cucumber and avocado maki | Sauvignon Blanc, Albariño | Their green freshness answers the avocado, cucumber and sesame. |
| Bluefin tuna and toro tuna nigiri, toro sashimi | Light Pinot Noir, Etna Rosso served chilled | Silky tannins go with red, melting flesh. |
| Glazed eel and sweet sauces unagi, teriyaki rolls | Riesling with a touch of sweetness, sake | The sweetness of the wine answers the caramelised sauce. |
| Tempura and crunchy rolls ebi tempura, crunchy rolls | Extra brut Prosecco, brut sparkling wine | Bubbles cleanse the palate after light frying. |
| Mixed platter assortment of nigiri, maki and sashimi | Brut bubbles, Riesling, sake | Versatile profiles that follow every piece on the platter. |
Wasabi and pickled ginger are powerful: use them lightly to let the wine express itself.
Riesling and sake, our two allies
For sushi, we recommend Riesling first. German Riesling, like Wittmann's Riesling Trocken, combines tension, citrus notes and minerality: it pairs precisely with vinegared rice and salmon. Austrian Grüner Veltliner, with its peppery touch, gets on very well with ginger.
Sake, for its part, shares the same family of flavours as Japanese cuisine. Its soft texture and umami extend the taste of raw fish and soy sauce. For a festive meal, Italian bubbles work wonders: the Prosecco from Sutto or the Asolo Prosecco Extra Brut from Bresolin refresh a platter of tempura and maki. Finally, the Etna Bianco from Barone di Villagrande, made from Carricante, offers a volcanic salinity that is ideal with sashimi.
Three pairings to try
Sea bream sashimi and sake. Two expressions of purity that answer each other.
Salmon nigiri and Wittmann's Riesling Trocken. A lively acidity that balances the richness of the fish.
Prawn tempura and extra brut Prosecco. Fine bubbles for a crispy bite.
The Wine Wanderer Team
Your questions about wine and sushi
What white wine goes with sushi?
Riesling is sushi's best ally: dry or with a touch of sweetness, it balances the vinegared rice and the soy sauce. Grüner Veltliner, Albariño and Sauvignon Blanc are excellent alternatives, fresh and precise. Prefer lightly oaked whites, which leave plenty of room for the raw fish.
What red wine goes with sushi?
Choose a light red with fine tannins, served chilled: a Pinot Noir from New Zealand or an Etna Rosso. It goes especially well with tuna, toro and glazed eel. For white fish pieces, go back to a lively white or a sake, which are more delicate.
Sake or wine with sushi?
Both work, in different registers. Sake shares the umami of Japanese cuisine and gently accompanies raw fish. White wine brings more acidity, useful against the richness of salmon. Why choose? Serve a sake with the sashimi, then a Riesling with the maki.
What wine goes with maki and California rolls?
With maki and California rolls, serve a fresh, aromatic white: Sauvignon Blanc, Albariño or dry Riesling. Avocado, cucumber and sesame love their green liveliness. For rolls with spicy mayonnaise or cream cheese, a brut sparkling wine brings a lovely lightness.
What sparkling wine goes with sushi?
A brut or extra brut sparkling wine is a very good choice, especially with tempura and mixed platters. Fine bubbles refresh the palate and highlight the crunch. A Chardonnay-based blanc de blancs or an extra brut Prosecco goes perfectly with salmon and prawns. See our sparkling wines.
At what temperature should sake be served with sushi?
Serve most sakes chilled, between 8 and 12 °C, to reveal their delicate aromas of fruit and rice. Some richer sakes are also served warm, at around 40 °C, with cooked or grilled pieces. For white wines, allow 8 to 10 °C.