Sushi is the dish to have if you’re looking for something new. The nice part is that it goes well with wine. Sushi is rolled rice wrapped in seaweed and mixed with vinegar. The seafood inside the roll can be served raw or cooked. Depending on the ingredients and sauces used, they can be prepared in a variety of ways. Due to its delicate nature, pairing it with wine might be tricky. Sushi enthusiasts may suggest rice wine or beer. However, we can always experiment by trying other wines. We’re here to guide you in finding the perfect wine to combine with sushi, whether you’re dining at home or in a restaurant.
Best Red Wine to Pair with Sushi
Sushi is an excellent food as it goes with various types to choose from. Seafood with white wine is an evident pairing, but red wines can also be used to complement the dish. Light-bodied red wines are preferred since full-bodied wines dominate the flavor of the sushi. Pinot Noir and Gamay should suffice. In case of unavailability, try the ones with the lowest alcohol content.
It’s worth noting that adding soy sauce and wasabi to your sushi is not suggested because they’ll overpower the wine.
Best White Wine to Pair with Sushi
When it comes to seafood, white wine is the finest option because it has a rich taste. Sushi is traditionally served with rice wine. You can, of course, serve it with your favorite bottle of wine. Here is a selection of white wines to consider:
Riesling – is a great sweet wine to pair with spicy sushi because it balances out the heat.
Prosecco – is an excellent wine to match with chopped scallop roll because it’s fruity and slightly sweet.
Sauvignon Blanc – deep-fried sushi pairs well with Sauvignon Blanc to balance out the flavor.
Grüner Veltliner – this wine is ideal with sushi rolls that have eel or crab because it masks the fatty taste of the fish.
Albariño – tempura and Albariño are a great match since the high-acid wine balances out the sweetness of the shrimp.
Pairing Wine With Different Sushi Types
California Roll
The California roll, which is famous for its avocado, cucumber, and crab filling, pairs well with Rosé and Grüner Veltliner.
Crab roll
Pairing sweet crab with Grüner Veltliner is a wonderful combination.
Nigiri
Nigiri is a raw fish wrap with wasabi on top. The flavor of Nigiri is enhanced with Pinot Noir.
Philadelphia Roll
Cream cheese, salmon, and cucumber are served on a Philadelphia roll. The best wine to pair with this sushi is Viognier.
Rainbow Roll
Sushi with avocado, cucumber, crab stick, and tuna, known as a rainbow roll, is ideally eaten with Prosecco.
Sashimi
Sashimi is served with raw fish and excellent with Muscadet and Pinot Noir.
Spicy Tuna Roll
Dry Riesling will bring out the full flavor of the meaty fish in this spicy tuna roll.
Tempura
It is a traditional favorite seafood dish that pairs well with Gruner Veltliner and Albariño.
Uni
Uni, or sea urchin, is a delicious, fresh seafood that can be found on the ocean’s rocks. It has a sticky texture and a rich umami flavor. This dish is best enjoyed with a glass of champagne.
Veggie Roll
The veggie roll is the one to order if you’re looking for plant-based sushi. Cucumber, avocado, and asparagus make up this sushi. Choose Sauvignon Blanc to bring out the freshness of the vegetables.
