What wine goes with sushi? Crisp whites, bubbles and sake
20 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.
Wildeberg - Coterie Semillon & Sauvignon 2021
A Sémillon-Sauvignon blanc marriage, round and complex
Elena Walch - Müller Thurgau 2025
A Müller-Thurgau from the hillsides of Tramin, aromatic and fresh, with notes of herbs, nutmeg and apricot.
Domaine Simon Gaudet - Beaune 1er Cru Les Champimonts 2022
A crystalline white Beaune premier cru, with yellow fruit, white flowers and a touch of star anise.
Domaine Julien Brocard - Les 7 Lieux Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses 2023
A biodynamic Les Preuses grand cru, precise and velvety, between brioche, orange, cinnamon and a saline finish.
Domaine Julien Brocard - Les 7 Lieux Chablis La Boissonneuse 2023
A biodynamic Chablis from the Boissonneuse vineyard, sunny, round, fruity and mineral.
Torresella - Prosecco Rosé Brut
A Prosecco rosé of Glera and Pinot Noir, with fine bubbles and notes of flowers, citrus and red fruit.
Chavin - Zéro Sauvignon Blanc 2023
An alcohol-free Sauvignon Blanc, lively and precise, with notes of blackcurrant bud, elderflower and citrus.
Thiénot - Champagne Brut Rosé
A tender, indulgent Champagne rosé with vibrant red fruit and lively, fresh bubbles.
Bruno Landauer - Welschriesling 2021
A dry, crunchy Welschriesling from the shores of Lake Neusiedl, between green apple and lemon zest.
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.
Folias de Baco - Uivo Curtido 2022
An orange wine from Alto Douro, fruity and mineral
Peregrine Estate - Pinot noir 2015
A Pinot Noir that combines purity and elegance, concentration and length.
Nik Weis - Urban Riesling 2019
A pure and crisp Riesling from the Moselle Valley
NZ WINERIES & Samantha Bailey - Cloud Factory Pinot Noir 2020
A fresh and delicious Pinot Noir, grown near the coastal areas of New Zealand
Paso Primero - Paso Primero Blanco 2019
A lovely white wine from Northern Spain, from vineyards at the foot of the Pyrenees
Karl Steininger - Grüner Veltliner «Grand Grü» Reserve 2018
A round, fine and complex white with intense flavors of yellow fruits
Giribaldi - Langhe Arneis 2019
A bomb of fruit from an old Italian white grape variety!
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.