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Best Wine With Sushi: Our 16 Favorite Wine Pairings!
- Last Updated - 3/31/23
Quick Answer: So many good wine pairing choices, but I'm going with Sancerre! For a red wine pairing, choose a Pinot Noir. And you can never go wrong by pairing sushi with Champagne, especially if you're celebrating something.
Sushi is one of the most popular dishes in the world, and for good reason – it’s delicious!
When considering what goes best with sushi, the first thing that comes to mind is most likely Japanese sake, which is right!
Sake is a Japanese rice wine that is traditionally served with sushi. The national beverage of Japan, sake is a fermented rice wine that has been enjoyed for hundreds of years. Sake is a great option to drink with raw fish, as it is light and has a similar flavor profile.
But what wines should you drink with sushi? In this fun guide, we will explore the best wine with sushi for every type of wine. So whether you’re a sushi lover, wine lover, or just looking to expand your knowledge of food and wine pairings, read on!
Table of Contents
Best White Wines Pairings With Sushi
1) Sancerre
A dry, crisp white wine, Sancerre is made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes grown in the Loire Valley of France.
It has a zippy acidity that pairs well with sushi’s vinegar-based rice and most seafood dishes. The citrus and mineral notes in Sancerre will also complement the fish taste. While the salinity of the wine brings out the flavor of the fish. This is one of my favorite food and wine pairings!
- Pair it with: Saba (mackerel), Sake (salmon), Tuna, Hamachi (yellowtail), Rainbow rolls
- Suggested producers: Pascal Jolivet, Domaine Vacheron, Henri Bourgeois
- Retail price range: $20 – $50
2) Gruner Veltliner
A white wine grape originating in Austria, Gruner Veltliner is known for its refreshing, zesty flavor.
It has a sharp acidity that can stand up to sushi’s vinegar-based rice, as well as the fish itself. Gruner Veltliner’s herbal and green notes will also go well with the cucumber and avocado in the sushi rolls.
- Pair it with: California roll, Rainbow Roll, Salmon Avocado Rolls, Saba
- Suggested producers: Schloss Gobelsburg, Hirsch, Domäne Wachau
- Retail price range: $15 – $30
3) Sauvignon Blanc
A dry white wine, Sauvignon Blanc is made from the Sauvignon Blanc grape. It is a versatile wine that pairs well with many different types of sushi.
The acidity in Sauvignon Blanc will cut through the richness of the fish and rice, while the fruity notes will complement the sweetness of the sushi. Therefore another good wine option if the sushi restaurant doesn’t have Sauvignon Blanc is a Pinot Grigio.
- Pair it with: Hamachi, Hotate (scallop), Kanpachi (amberjack)
- Suggested producers: Cloudy Bay, Kim Crawford, Oyster Bay
- Retail price range: $15 – $30
4) Riesling
A white wine grape originating in Germany, Riesling is known for its sweetness. It’s a versatile wine that can be made in a dry or off-dry Riesling style.
An off-dry Riesling has sweetness that will pair well with the sushi rolls that contain fruits or vegetables. The sweetness will also help offset the element of heat from the wasabi.
And the acidity in a Dry Riesling will also cut through the richness of the fish and rice.
- Pair it with: Spicy tuna roll, Hamachi Jalapeno maki, Mango sushi
- Suggested producers: Dr. Loosen, Dr Frank Konstantin, Chateau Ste Michelle
- Retail price range: $15 – $30
5) Chablis
A white wine made from the Chardonnay grape, Chablis is a dry, crisp wine with high acidity.
It pairs well with sushi because it can stand up to the vinegar-based rice. The mineral notes in Chablis will also complement the fish taste. A lighter white fish, such as snapper, is beautiful with a crisp Chablis from Burgundy.
- Pair it with: Snapper, other white fish
- Suggested producers: William Fevre, Domaine Laroche, Jean-Marc Brocard
- Retail price range: $25 – $40
6) Muscadet
A white wine made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape, Muscadet is a bone dry wine with high refreshing acidity.
It pairs well with sushi because it can stand up to the vinegar-based rice. The citrus and mineral notes in Muscadet will also complement the fish taste.
- Pair it with: Ikura (salmon roe), Sake, Tuna, Saba
- Suggested producers: Domaine de la Quilla, Marcel Martin, Chateau de la Chesnaie
- Retail price range: $15 – $30
7) Vouvray
A white wine made from the Chenin Blanc grape, Vouvray is a versatile wine that can be made in a dry or off-dry style.
The off-dry style pairs well with sushi because of its acidity and sweetness. In fact, this slightly sweet wine has a residual sugar which adds a beautiful texture and helps to temper the heat. Sweet and spicy is always a great food and wine pairing!
- Pair it with: Spicy Tuna maki, Hamachi Jalapeno, Toro (fatty tuna), Spicy mayo
- Suggested producers: Domaine Huet, Chateau Gaudrelle, Philippe Foreau
- Retail price range: $20 – $40
8) Chardonnay
A white wine grape originating in France, Chardonnay is a versatile wine that can be made in a dry or off-dry style.
It pairs well with sushi because of its acidity and sweetness. The buttery notes in Chardonnay will also complement the fatty fish or avocado in the sushi rolls.
- Pair it with: Toro (fatty tuna), Sake Toro (fatty salmon), sea urchin, avocado rolls
- Suggested producers: Far Niente, Rombauer, Cakebread Cellars
- Retail price range: $20 – $80
9) Albariño
Sushi is often served with soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger, all of which can be quite intense flavors. Therefore, Albariño’s high acidity helps bring out the spiciness of the wasabi, while its citrus notes complement the delicate flavors of the fish.
Plus, the wine’s salinity and minerality also enhances the umami flavors of the sushi.
- Pair it with: Amaebi (raw shrimp), Toro, Hamachi Toro (fatty yellowtail), California rolls
- Suggested producers: Fento, Ethereo
- Retail price range: $20 – $30
10) Provence Rosé
It’s also possible to try a Provençal Rosé wine, which comes from the Provence region of France. The area surrounding the Mediterranean Sea is well-known for its closeness to the sea and traditional cuisine, which is heavy in fish.
And it’s also a great wine pairing with sushi. This dry wine has sharp acidity and mineral notes to accentuate the flavors of the raw fish.
- Pair it with: Sake, Tuna, Saba, Ikura, Kanpachi, Salmon Avocado maki
- Suggested producers: Whispering Angel, Miraval
- Retail price range: $20 – $30
Best Red Wines Pairings With Sushi
White wines are not the only options when it comes to pairing wine with sushi. There are a few red wines that can also pair well with raw fish or a sushi dish.
Some may think pairing red wines with raw fish may not be a good idea. And its because high tannins and strong fruit flavors will completely wipe out the fish flavors. While the high alcohol levels of red wine may intensify the heat of wasabi.
As a result, you should search for red wines with less tannin and lower alcohol levels when pairing sushi.
Below are a few recommendations we have for red wine lovers:
11) Pinot Noir
I love to pair a red Burgundy, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, or Sonoma Pinot Noir with a fattier, more protein-rich fish such as O Toro or Bonito. These fish can handle a red wine so long as it is lighter and more elegant in body with easy tannins and bright acidity.
The best sushi restaurants will have a nice selection of high-quality Pinot Noirs to choose from.
- Pair it with: Sushi with Caviar, Uni, Toro, Baked Salmon maki
- Suggested producers: Kistler, Kosta Browne, Belle Glos
- Retail price range: $30 – $80
12) Beaujolais
A light-bodied red wine from the Beaujolais region of France, this wine is made from the Gamay grape. It pairs well with sushi because it is lower in tannins and alcohol. The fruity notes in Beaujolais will also complement the fruits or vegetables in the sushi rolls.
- Pair it with: Dragon Maki (shrimp tempura, BBQ, eel, avocado), Toro, Mango/Fruit rolls
- Suggested producers: Georges Duboeuf, Louis Jadot
- Retail price range: $15 – $30
13) Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo is a red wine grape from the Piedmont region of Italy. And as a Barolo, its known for its high acidity and tannins. So for most this may not be a good wine pairing, however I quite enjoyed this very much!
Nebbiolo pairs well with sushi because it can stand up to the vinegar-based rice. The fruity notes in Nebbiolo will also complement the fruits or vegetables in the sushi rolls.
- Pair it with: Dragon maki, California roll, Rainbow roll, Baked salmon, Unagi
- Suggested producers: Gaja, Bruno Giacosa, Cavallotto
- Retail price range: $40 – $80
14) Zinfandel
A red wine from California, Zinfandel is a fruity red wine with high acidity. It pairs well with sushi because it can stand up to the vinegar-based rice. The spice/peppery notes of the Zinfandel will complement the spicy sushi rolls well.
- Pair it with: Spicy tuna roll, Jalapeno and Hamachi, Scallops and Jalapeno
- Suggested producers: Ridge Vineyards, Turley Wine Cellars, The Prisoner Saldo
- Retail price range: $15 – $30
Best Sparkling Wine Pairings With Sushi
15) Champagne
Champagne is a sparkling wine from the Champagne region of France. It pairs well with sushi because it is light and refreshing. And the acidity in Champagne will cut through the richness of the fish. And it cleanses the palate after each sip.
- Pair it with: Tuna, Sake, Ikura, Suzuki (Sea bass), Rainbow roll, Amaebi (prawn), Hamachi
- Suggested producers: Veuve Clicquot, Ruinart, Dom Perignon
- Retail price range: $50 – $200
16) Prosecco
Prosecco is a sparkling wine from the Veneto region of Italy. It also pairs well with sushi because it is light and refreshing. And the Prosecco’s low residual sugar, gives it a slightly sweet flavor that goes well with spicy sushi, eel sauce, and accentuates the sushi’s delicious tastes.
- Pair it with: Spicy tuna roll, Rainbow roll, Freshwater eel sushi, Hamachi and jalapeno
- Suggested producers: Zonin, Mionetto, La Marca
- Retail price range: $15 – $30
FAQs
What Drink Goes Well with Sushi?
The best wine pairings with sushi really depends on your personal preference.
- If you like white wines, then go for a Sancerre, Dry Riesling, or Sauvignon Blanc.
- If you prefer red wines, then a Pinot Noir or Beaujolais would be a good choice.
- And if you want a sparkling wine, then Champagne or Prosecco would be a great option.
- But if you’d like a beer, then choose a beer!
- Lastly if you prefer a regional pairing, Sake would be the best!
Whatever you choose, just make sure that it is a light-bodied wine with high acidity to best complement the sushi. Cheers!
What Kind of Red Wine Goes With Sushi?
Traditionally, sushi is best paired with white wine, but if you prefer red wine, there are definitely some options that can complement the flavors of sushi.
One good red wine pairing choice is Pinot Noir, which is a light red wine with a bright acidity and fruit-forward flavors such as red cherry, raspberry, and cranberry. Plus, its acidity and fruitiness can help balance the umami flavors of the sushi, while its light body won’t overwhelm the delicate flavors of the fish.
Another red wine pairing option is Beaujolais, which is a red wine made from the Gamay grape variety. Beaujolais wines are known for their bright acidity, low tannins, and fruitiness with flavors of strawberry and cherry. So like Pinot Noir, Beaujolais has a light to medium body, making it a good match for sushi.
Does Sushi Go With Red or White wine?
Yes! It goes well with both!
Ultimately, the choice of wine to pair with sushi comes down to personal preference. It’s worth trying both white and red wines to see which works best with the type of sushi you are eating and your own tastes.
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