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.
Dr Loosen - Urziger Wurzgarten Kabinett 2024
An airy and precise Moselle Riesling, where the gourmet fruit meets vibrant minerality.
Dr Loosen - Urziger Wurzgarten Trocken GG AR 2022
A great dry Mosel Riesling, precise, spicy, and deeply mineral, from the spectacular Ürziger Würzgarten hillside.
Blank Canvas - Holdaway 2024
A precise and vibrant Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, where the ocean's freshness meets fruit purity.
Blank Canvas - Abstract Three Rows 2023
A precise and textured Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, where oceanic freshness meets aromatic depth.
Dr Loosen - Wehlener Sonnenuhr Trocken GG AR 2022
A great dry Mosel Riesling, precise, crystalline, and deeply mineral, from the mythical Wehlener Sonnenuhr hillside.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars - Aveta Sauvignon Blanc 2023
A precise and vibrant Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc, where freshness meets beautiful aromatic intensity.
Bodegas Menade - Sobrenatural 2016
A natural and unadulterated Verdejo that precisely expresses the freshness and minerality of the Rueda high plains.
Catena Zapata - Adrianna White Bones 2023
A great high-altitude Argentinian Chardonnay, taut, mineral, and deeply marked by its Gualtallary limestone terroir.
Blank Canvas - Reed Vineyard 2023
A precise and crystalline New Zealand white wine with a sense of place, where freshness highlights the purity of the fruit.
Catena Zapata - Adrianna White Stones 2023
A great Argentinian high-altitude Chardonnay, precise, mineral, and with remarkable tension.
Grosset - Springvale Riesling 2023
A chiseled and vibrant Clare Valley Riesling, where the purity of the fruit meets a precise minerality.
Barbeito - Sercial Old Reserve (dry) NV
A dry and vibrant Madeira, driven by a crystalline acidity and great saline and nutty complexity.
Felton Road - Bannockburn Riesling 2024
A precise and crystalline Bannockburn Riesling, where sharp freshness meets the purity of the Central Otago terroir.
Felton Road - Block 2 Chardonnay 2023
A Chardonnay with a precise and saline terroir, where the purity of the fruit meets the depth of Bannockburn.
Barbeito - Sercial Vinha Da Laje 2017
A straight and saline Sercial Madeira, driven by a sharp acidity and great aromatic precision.
Bodegas Tradición - Fino Viejo NV
A fine, old, dry and saline fino that precisely expresses the purity of the Jerez terroir.
Fernando de Castilla - Fino Classic
A classic Fino from Jerez, dry, saline and precise, which expresses with purity the character of the albariza and the aging under veil.
Ravines - Argetsinger Riesling 2020
A Riesling from the limestone slopes of the Finger Lakes, taut, precise and driven by a vibrant minerality.
Ott Estate - Der Ott 2023
A precise and saline Austrian white, which elegantly expresses the freshness and depth of Wagram.
Nanclares y Prieto - Tempus Vivendi 2024
A precise and saline Atlantic Albariño, where coastal freshness meets the granitic finesse of Rías Baixas.
Emmerich Knoll - Ried Loibenberg 2024
A terroir-driven Riesling, precise and mineral, which intensely expresses the luminous power of the Ried Loibenberg.
Emmerich Knoll - Loibner Riesling 2024
A precise and crystalline Wachau Riesling, where the purity of the fruit meets a chiseled minerality.
Nanclares y Prieto - Paraje Mina 2024
An Albariño from granite terroir, taut and saline, which precisely expresses the Galician Atlantic.
Suginishiki - Saké Bodaimoto 2023
A pure and flavorful junmai bodaimoto, where the traditional method exalts the depth of the rice and a subtly gastronomic acidity.
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.