Wine Pairings with Sushi

Sushi is a refined, delicate dish, characterised by fresh flavours and a perfect harmony between raw fish, rice and condiments such as soy sauce and wasabi. Pairing with the right wine should enhance the lightness of the sushi without overpowering its aromas. Let’s discover the best wines to pair with sushi.

Characteristics of Sushi and General Pairings

The choice of wine depends on several factors:

• Type of sushi: nigiri, sashimi, uramaki or tempura affect the choice of wine.
• Main ingredients: white fish calls for more delicate wines, while salmon and tuna go with more structured wines.
• Seasonings: the presence of soy, wasabi or ginger can change the ideal pairing.

Best Wine and Food Pairings for Sushi

Recommended White Wines

• Sauvignon Blanc – Perfect for sashimi and white fish nigiri, thanks to its acidity and freshness.
• Alsace Riesling – Excellent with salmon sushi, for its minerality and slightly sweet note.
• Vermentino di Gallura DOCG – Ideal for uramaki with prawns and avocado, thanks to its salinity and structure.

Recommended Sparkling Wines

• Champagne Blanc de Blancs – Perfect for elegant pairings with sushi and sashimi.
• Franciacorta Brut – Excellent for accompanying tempura and rolls with creamy ingredients.

Recommended Rosé Wines

• Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo DOC – An excellent choice for sushi with tuna or eel, for its freshness and light tannic structure.
• Provence Rosé – Ideal for rolls with raw fish and light sauces.

Mistakes to Avoid in Pairing

Avoid tannic red wines (e.g. Barolo, Amarone) because they overpower the delicacy of raw fish. Watch out for overly aromatic wines (e.g.: Gewürztraminer) which can mask the delicate flavour of sushi. Avoid wines that are too soft if the sushi is served with soy sauce or wasabi.

Specific Pairings for Some Types of Sushi

White fish sashimi → Sauvignon Blanc, Champagne Blanc de Blancs Salmon nigiri → Alsace Riesling, Franciacorta Brut Uramaki with prawns and avocado → Vermentino di Gallura, Provence Rosé Prawn tempura → Franciacorta Brut, Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo