There are so many delicious ways to prepare sushi and equally as many sushi and wine pairings. Personally, the thing I miss most about living in the US is access to great sushi…and wine, so when I do finally get a chance to have sushi, I make sure the wine pairing is on point. So whether you’re going out for sushi or making sushi at home, this sushi wine pairing guide will help you find the perfect match. What wine goes with sushi? Read on and find out!
- What elements to consider for sushi and wine pairing
- White wine to pair with sushi
- Does red wine go with sushi???
- Sushi wine pairing by sushi style
- Sparkling wine and sushi
- White wines that pair with sushi
- A few rosé wines and sushi
- Even fewer red wines that pair with sushi
- Sushi and Wine FAQ
Elements to Consider for Sushi and Wine Pairing
Sushi is technically vinegared rice usually with a seaweed wrap and raw fish but has come to broadly refer to all rolls, maki, and sashimi. When pairing wine with sushi, consider that sushi is delicate and the flavors are nuanced. Following the wine and food pairing secrets I reveal in my ebook, the best wines with sushi will be light to medium-bodied wines with medium to high acid and lower alcohol; this is so the sushi and wine are in balance and one is not overpowering the other. Furthermore, the preparation, specific fish used, other ingredients, and sauces will also play a factor in sushi wine pairing so it’s not as limiting as you may think.
Red or White Wine with Sushi?
The best sushi and wine matches tend to be with unoaked white wine. The weight of the wine (low to medium) matches the weight of the sushi (also low to medium). White wine also has low to no tannins whereas red wines do have tannins. In my experience, a wine with a lot of tannins makes fish taste a bit like biting into aluminum foil. Even some tannic white wines paired with sushi leave this weird metal after taste. However, a very light red wine with medium acidity and low tannins will also pair with some sushi options especially cooked fish rolls. There are options for white, rose, sparkling, and red wine with sushi below. Keep reading!
13 Most Popular Sushi Dishes with Wine Pairing
California Roll
Basic roll deserves a basic wine- Chardonnay for you. Didn’t think this sushi and wine pairing list would be savage from the start, eh?
Rainbow Roll
A rainbow roll has it all so it needs a wine that is universally paired with sushi. Opt for a Prosecco.
Spicy Tuna Roll
An off dry Riesling will pair nicely with a spicy tuna roll. That touch of heat is calmed by a slight sweetness.
Sweet Potato Roll
I’m a big fan of sweet potato rolls paired with Gewurztraminer.
Philadelphia Roll
The cream cheese in a Philadelphia roll can handle a bit more of a wine, go for a Viognier for a lovely sushi and wine pairing.
Nigiri
Nigiri needs an all around wine like Pinot Grigio to create the right sushi and wine balance.
Hotate Sashimi (Scallop)
I love scallops, I’m a New England girl after all. Albariño would be amazing with scallop sashimi.
Saba Sashimi (Mackerel)
This oily fish needs a wine with extra acidity. Pair saba sashimi with a Chenin Blanc.
Tuna Sashimi
Tuna has a little more weight to it than the average raw fish so can take on a wine with a bit more power. A good Chardonnay is a great option with raw tuna whether nigiri or sashimi.
Salmon Sashimi
Salmon is a fattier fish than most. I can see a crisp Provence rosé being perfect or a Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc.
Uni Sashimi (Sea Urchin)
Assyrtiko from Santorini is awesome with sea urchin though not super great with other raw fish. I hesitate to include it as to not screw up the rest of the sushi on your plate, but the world needs to know about Assyrtiko and sea urchin together.
Tempura
I love Gruner Veltliner with any type of sushi that has tempura batter especially when served with spicy mayo.
Temaki
The extra nori (seaweed wrap) is a great pairing with the green flavors of Sauvignon Blanc or Vinho Verde.
Sushi Wine Pairing by Grape Variety and Wine Style
Below I’ve taken the most common white wine and even some red wine grape varieties that I believe pair best with sushi. I’ve also included which types of fish and which preparation is the best with each wine.
Sushi and Sparkling Wine
Sparkling wine is a great option for pairing with sushi. Bubbles hit all the wine pairing elements- lighter body, good acid, lower alcohol, but the effervescence is also a great palate cleanser.
Champagne is a great pairing with sushi. I would stick to non-Vintage Champagne as to not overwhelm the palate. Pair Champagne with sushi served with ikura (salmon roe) or tobiko (flying fish roe). I’m a little obsessed with the Champagne bubbles popping along with the roe popping with each bite.
Prosecco might just be my favorite wine with sushi. Prosecco is relatively simple, has great acidity, cleanses the palate after each bit of sushi. An extra-dry Prosecco with that added touch of sweetness really brings out the flavors of sushi. Prosecco is a great all-around sushi wine pairing. Choose Prosecco with a mix plate of sashimi.
Best White Wines with Sushi
Below find the best white wines with sushi.
- Riesling
- Gruner Veltliner
- Pinot Grigio
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Albariño
- Txakoli
- Chenin Blanc
- Vihno Verde
- Greek Wines Moschofilero and Vidiano
- Hungarian Wine Furmint
- Viognier
- Gewurztraminer
Sushi and Rosé
Rosé wine is a great option for sushi lovers. Its bright and fruity which will bring out some of the sweeter flavors of the fish. Rosé can be made from any red grape variety so it may be a good compromise if you tend to drink red wine.
- Provence Rosé
- Rosé of Pinot Noir
- A lighter style Rosato from Italy
Best Red Wine for Sushi
If you are a red wine lover but want sushi, there are still options. The key is to have red wine with low tannins and light body. Otherwise, it’ll overwhelm the fish entirely. Cooked sushi rolls fare better with red wines than with raw fish, so keep that in mind.
- Pinot Noir
- Gamay
- Zweigelt
Sushi and Wine FAQ
Below find your most pressing questions about sushi and wine pairings.
Does sushi and wine go together?
Yes! Of course the traditional pairing with sushi is sake but sushi and wine is just as good, and dare I say, even better. You just have to strike the harmony between the two and you can have delightful sushi wine pairings.
What red wine goes with red sushi?
While red wine is not the preferred wine with sushi, if you’re a red wine lover, there are still some options. A red wine with low tannins and medium acidity will complement sushi. A young, fruity Pinot Noir will do the trick. The Gamay grape of Beaujolais fame is also a nice red wine with sushi. Aim for a less complex fruitier style. You could also try an unoaked Zweigelt from Austria.
What white wine goes with sushi?
The better question is what wine wine DOESN’T go with sushi. White wine is the preferred wine with sushi because the light body of the wine with the delicate flavors of the fish are in balance. White wines to avoid with sushi are Assyrtiko from Santorini (too tannic and overpowering), oaked Chardonnays (again, too overpowering), and
Oh my goodness. This is so helpful. I just want to dive into a plate of tempura with a scrumptious Gruner Veltliner right now!