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.
Colmant Cap Classique - Brut Reserve
A precise and elegant Cap Classique from Franschhoek, combining freshness, fine bubbles and aromatic complexity.
Huber - Terrassen Riesling 2019
A precise and crystalline Austrian Riesling, where freshness combines with a chiseled minerality.
Henschke - Peggy's Hill Riesling 2024
A chiseled and vibrant Riesling from Eden Valley, combining aromatic purity and refreshing tension.
Viu Manent - Estate Reserva Malbec Rosé 2024
A pure Chilean Malbec rosé, lively and delicious, carried by the freshness of the Colchagua valley.
Dreissigacker - Organic Riesling 2022
An organic Riesling from Rheinhessen, pure and crystalline, where freshness combines with remarkable mineral precision.
Henschke - Julius Riesling 2024
A Riesling from Eden Valley of great purity, taut and crystalline, marked by freshness and aromatic precision.
House of Arras - Grand Vintage 2013
A great sparkling wine from Tasmania, combining maritime freshness, complexity and depth.
Arcana - Arcana Semillon 2021
A precise and luminous Chilean Sémillon, where freshness meets a beautiful aromatic depth.
Axel Pauly - Weissburgunder Pinot Blanc 2021
A precise and vibrant Pinot Blanc from Mosel, where the freshness of the fruit meets a chiseled minerality.
Winery of Good Hope - Chardonnay Unoaked 2024
A pure, unoaked South African Chardonnay, combining coastal freshness, vibrant fruit and crystalline precision.
Axel Pauly - Lieserer Niederberg-Helden Riesling Kabinett 2022
A precise and crystalline Kabinett de Mosel, where the freshness of Riesling meets the indulgence of a gentle lightness.
Axel Pauly - Purist Riesling 2024
A crystalline, straightforward and saline Moselle Riesling, which expresses the purity of the schist and the freshness of the Moselle.
House of Arras - A by Arras Premium Cuvée
A precise and elegant Tasmanian sparkling wine, combining maritime freshness and the complexity of a great vintage.
Axel Pauly - Generations Riesling 2022
A precise and crystalline Moselle Riesling, where freshness combines with a beautiful mineral intensity.
Holdvölgy - Expression 2019
A 100% Hárslevelű from the historic Betsek vintage in Tokaji
Axel Pauly - Helden Riesling 2022
A precise and taut Moselle Riesling, where the minerality of the schist meets the purity of the fruit.
Holdvölgy - Vision 2019
A wine that embodies the purity and finesse of the dry Tokaji style.
Caelum - Eclat Extra Brut- 2017
A refined high-altitude sparkling wine, combining freshness, complexity and elegance in an ethereal harmony
Holdvölgy - Meditation 2021
A 100% Furmint from the historic Király vintage in Tokaji
Cave Saint-Pierre - Petite Arvine Réserve Des Administrateurs 2022
Grapefruit, lime and that salty touch that is the signature of Valais Petite Arvine.
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.