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.
Ziereisen - Gutedel 2022
A straight and saline Gutedel from the Markgräflerland, combining crystalline freshness and mineral finesse.
Yoshimura - Saké Kurumazaka 2021
A Kimoto Junmai from Nara that is at once expansive, precise, and deeply umami.
Zaku - Saké Megumi No Tomo
A Junmai Ginjo de Mie of great finesse, where the purity of the rice and aromatic freshness are expressed with balance and precision.
Fukunishiki - Saké Fu Junmai
A fine sake from Hyōgo Prefecture: a terroir rich in rice-growing tradition.
Gonzalo Guzmán - Cinsault Oriundo de Itata 2023
A juicy and vibrant Cinsault, reflecting the terroir of Itata
Zaku - Saké Impression M Genshu
A precise and expressive Junmai Ginjo Genshu, which combines aromatic intensity and crystalline freshness.
Caelum - Fiano Gran Reserva 2020
Mediterranean brilliance in Andean terroir, combining freshness, complexity and timeless refinement
Sakehitosuji - Saké Kinrei
A delicate and pure Junmai Ginjo, which combines aromatic finesse and silky texture to enhance Japanese cuisine and seafood dishes.
Tyrrell's - Winemakers Selection Vat 1 Semillon Landmark Release 2009
An emblematic Semillon from Hunter Valley, of great purity, combining chiseled freshness and remarkable aging potential.
Idee Fixe - Premier Brut Blanc de Blancs 2021
A precise and vibrant Australian blanc de blancs, which combines oceanic freshness and elegant effervescence.
Savage Wines - Never been asked to Danced 2024
A superb Chenin Blanc from old vines planted in 1956
Santa Margherita - Prosecco Rive di Refrontolo Extra-Brut Superiore DOCG 2025
An extra-brut Prosecco from the Rive di Refrontolo: green apple, fine, taut bubbles.
Duckhorn - Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Grapefruit, lime and herbaceous notes, a taut white balanced by its roundness.
Barco Del Corneta - Barco Del Corneta Verdejo 2021
A wine full of talent filtered by minimalism and the pure expression of the terroir.
Yarra Yering - Chardonnay 2021
An Australian Chardonnay of great precision, where freshness, mineral tension and elegance come together to reveal all the finesse of the Yarra Valley's cool terroirs.
Tenuta Monte Ilice - Etna Bianco 2019
A white wine whose vines grow around an extinct crater of Etna
Equinox Wines - To Maike and the Rest 2022
A Chenin Blanc with short maceration which brings texture, complexity and freshness
Groot Constantia - Methode Cap Classique Brut
A sparkling wine from the Cape using the Champagne method, with exotic and brioche notes
Paso Primero - Paso Primero Blanco 2019
A lovely white wine from Northern Spain, from vineyards at the foot of the Pyrenees
Emmerich Knoll - Grüner Veltliner Loibner Federspiel 2024
A white wine of great finesse from steep vineyards over 40 degrees!
Gritsch - Grüner Veltliner cru Setzberg 2017
An elegant white with a perfect balance between tension and minerality
Karl Steininger - Grüner Veltliner «Grand Grü» Reserve 2018
A round, fine and complex white with intense flavors of yellow fruits
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.