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.
Paul Cluver - Pinot Noir Village 2023
A precise and elegant Pinot Noir from Elgin, combining freshness, fruit and a fine texture.
Benanti - Nerello Cappuccio 2020
A 100% Nerello Mascalese from the southwest slopes of Etna, combining harmony and accuracy.
Michelini i Mufatto - A Merced Mencía 2021
A precise and fresh expression of Mencía from Bierzo, combining fruit, tension and tannic finesse.
Domaine Nico - La Savante Pinot Noir 2022
An Argentinian high-altitude Pinot Noir that combines finesse, freshness and aromatic depth.
Ten Minutes by Tractor - Down the Hill Pinot Noir 2021
A Pinot Noir from a cool climate, precise and vibrant, which combines elegance of fruit and finesse of tannins.
Gómez Cruzado - Pancrudo Garnacha 2022
A high-altitude Garnacha, luminous and precise, which combines freshness, finesse and aromatic intensity.
Domaine Nico - Le Paradis Pinot Noir 2018
An Argentinian high-altitude Pinot Noir combining aromatic finesse, freshness and elegant texture.
Domaine Nico - Grand Mere Pinot Noir 2022
An Argentinian high-altitude Pinot Noir that combines finesse, freshness and aromatic depth.
Recaredo - Terrers 2020
A Corpinnat with long ageing potential, precise and intensely Mediterranean.
Weingut Bründlmayer - Ried Loiserberg Erste Lage 2024
A vibrant, mineral and chiselled hillside Riesling.
Joh Jos Prüm - Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Spätlese 2022
A great Mosel Riesling, pure and crystalline, where the finesse of the sugar is balanced by a vibrant minerality.
Joh Jos Prüm - Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spätlese 2022
A superb Mosel Riesling, pure and crystalline, where controlled sweetness meets vibrant freshness.
Schloss Johannisberg - Bronzelack Trocken 2021
A dry Riesling from the Rheingau, taut and luminous, where fruit meets saline minerality.
Oremus - Dry Petracs 2021
A dry Furmint from Tokaj, chiselled and saline, where freshness meets volcanic depth.
Joh Jos Prüm - Wehlener Sonnenuhr Kabinett 2022
A great Mosel Riesling, pure and crystalline, where the finesse of the sugar combines with vibrant mineral tension.
Dr Loosen - Graacher Domprobst Trocken GG 2023
A dry Moselle terroir Riesling, precise and mineral, combining aromatic intensity and great finesse on the palate.
Dr Loosen - Kinheimer Rosenberg Trocken GG 2023
A dry Mosel Riesling with precise minerality, combining aromatic purity and a mouth-watering finish.
Escarpment - Chardonnay 2020
A precise and vibrant New Zealand Chardonnay, where cool-climate freshness meets lovely textural depth.
Joh Jos Prüm - Graacher Himmelreich Kabinett 2023
A Mosel Riesling of great purity, combining crystalline freshness, controlled sweetness, and mineral depth.
Joh Jos Prüm - G. Himmelreich A. Goldkap 2022
A magnificent Moselle Riesling, pure and crystalline, where the finesse of the slate meets perfectly balanced sweetness.
Seresin Estate - Sauvignon Blanc 2023
A precise and vibrant Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, combining maritime freshness, aromatic purity, and a lingering saline finish.
Elizabeth Spencer - Sauvignon Blanc 2024
A precise and refreshing Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc, combining aromatic intensity and great drinkability.
Giribaldi - Langhe Arneis 2019
A bomb of fruit from an old Italian white grape variety!
Gritsch - Riesling Federspiel cru Setzberg 2017
An expressive, fine and mineral Austrian Riesling.
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.