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.
Leze Herholdt Wines - Semillon Mirum 2023
An old-vine Sémillon from Franschhoek, dense and waxy, crafted by a passionate young winemaker.
Paul Cluver - Riesling WO Elgin 2024
A chiselled, mineral Riesling from Elgin, between lime and citrus blossom, with a touch of natural sugar.
Trossen - Trabener Riesling Spätlese Trocken 2022
A dry Moselle Riesling from very ripe berries: tension, finesse and a minerality that runs straight and true.
Jordan Estate - Sauvignon Blanc Chameleon WO Stellenbosch 2025
A lively, vibrant Stellenbosch Sauvignon Blanc, between tropical fruit and the freshness of cut grass.
Luna Sicana - Catarratto 2022
A beautiful expression of Catarratto, a native grape variety of Sicily
Luna Sicana - Grillo 2024
A mineral and racy Grillo, worked in purity
Wittmann - Riesling Trocken 2022
A high-class biodynamic Riesling for lovers of tense and complex wines!
Aneto - Aneto S Colheita Tardia 2014
A great liqueur that combines complexity, elegance and freshness.
Sakehitosuji - Saké Jidai Okure
A deep-seated yamahai junmai ginjo from Okayama, where umami richness meets elegant freshness.
Michelini i Mufatto - Motorpsico 2022
A Bierzo de Mencía full of freshness and energy, driven by vibrant fruit and remarkable drinkability.
Axel Pauly - Lieserer Niederburg-Helden Riesling Kabinett 2022
An airy, fruity and chiselled Mosel Kabinett. Fine sweetness meets the energy of slate.
Joh Jos Prüm - Graacher Himmelreich Spätlese 2022
A precise and crystalline Moselle Riesling, where controlled sweetness meets vibrant mineral freshness.
Errázuriz - Aconcagua Costa pinot noir 2022
A Chilean coastal Pinot Noir combining maritime freshness, aromatic finesse, and elegance on the palate.
Schloss Johannisberg - Gelblack Trocken 2024
A dry Rheingau Riesling, vibrant and mineral, with a freshness made for the table.
Nyetimber - Classic Cuvée NV
The elegance of English bubbles, between chalky freshness and toasty indulgence.
Suginishiki - Saké Tenpo 13 2023
A Yamahai Junmai from Shiga with a deep personality, where the richness of the rice meets a refined umami intensity.
Weingut Bründlmayer - G. V. Kamptal Terrassen 2024
A terrace-grown Grüner Veltliner, lively and peppery, where fruit meets fine mineral tension.
Blank Canvas - Settlement Vineyard 2020
A precise and elegant Marlborough Pinot Noir, where maritime freshness meets fruit depth.
Bondar - Rayner Vineyard Grenache 2022
A precise and perfumed McLaren Vale Grenache, where coastal freshness meets the depth of the old-vine Rayner vineyard.
Fukunishiki - Saké Junsei Yamada Nishiki Genshu
A characterful, ample and deep kimoto genshu that accurately expresses the nobility of Hyogo's Yamada Nishiki rice.
Cullen - Kevin John Chardonnay 2023
A precise and saline biodynamic Chardonnay from Margaret River, where the purity of the fruit meets an elegant woody complexity.
Innocent Bystander - Pinot Noir 2020
An elegant and juicy Pinot Noir from Yarra Valley, driven by freshness and aromatic finesse.
Elephant Hill - Reserve Chardonnay 2016
A Chardonnay from Hawke's Bay combining precision, maritime freshness and elegant woody richness.
Jordan Estate - Chardonnay Nine Yards 2023
A precise, ample and chiseled South African Chardonnay that finely expresses the best granite slopes of Stellenbosch.
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.