A variety of sushi
The Absolute Worst Wine Pairing For Raw Fish

NEWS

By HENNA BAKSHI
Hand holding a glass of wine next to a platter of sushi
Sushi, sashimi, ceviche, crab salad, and tuna tartare are all stellar raw fish dishes, but they are also easy to overpower with an overly powerful wine pairing.
Hand pouring red wine into a glass
Wines with potent structures, such as heavy-bodied reds like cabernet sauvignon, malbec, and Syrah, or heavy-bodied whites like oaked chardonnays and white Riojas, must be avoided.
Three glasses of three different kinds of wine
When pairing wine with raw fish, you'll want to opt for light-bodied beverages, ensuring you’re also avoiding wines with heavy tannins, higher alcohol content, and too much sugar.
Glasses of red and white wine next to grapes
Tannins are natural compounds in wine that make our tongue scrubby. Salt in food softens tannins, but since raw fish is mildly seasoned, heavy tannins will overpower the palate.
Red wine being poured into a glass
Alcohol and sugar add body to wines. Heavier ABV wines (usually above 13%) or wines with a lot of residual sugar will have heavy bodies that don’t pair well with raw fish.
Bottle and glass of Sauvignon Blanc
Conversely, light-bodied white wines like sauvignon blanc, albariño, and gruner veltliner have high acidity and citrus notes that can be refreshing when served with raw seafood.