Sushi Anyone? What wine to drink?

How do you pair wine and sushi you ask? It sounds like such a complicated process but it is not. Once you know the basics of wine tasting and how to balance and match the flavours of the wine and sushi, then you are good to go.

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This should not be an uphill task. However, accompaniments like wasabi and ginger make it difficult for people to decide on the wine pairings. Japanese-inspired cuisines like sushi continue to excite and intrigue many food lovers in Nairobi.

Some of the restaurants in Nairobi that serve sushi are Tokyo Japanese Restaurant, Ocean Basket and Furusato Japanese restaurant. Sushi is simple, light and sophisticated and people in Nairobi have embraced it. Some restaurants also have an extensive wine list and an in-house sommelier or wait staff will recommend an amazing pairing for you if you are ever confounded.

Regardless of where you are in the world, you can use this guide to have the best wine & sushi pairing.

Pinot Gris and Shrimp Nigiri

Pinot Gris is a wine with an interesting flavour profile. It displays flavours such as apple, stone fruit and other tropical fruits. These soft flavors complement the sweetness of the shrimp and the two balance well. Pinot Gris has such a refreshing acidity that it would also pair with other lighter foods like salads. This is a great pairing for beginners of wine and sushi pairings.
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Dry Rose and Salmon Roll

Coincidentally, these two have a pink hue. While the pink on pink combination may be fun, it is not the only basis for the amazing pairing. Salmon is very versatile and it can be served in so many ways. When it is raw in a sashimi, it can also be served with a rose or a dry wine. Dry roses have a mouthwatering, tart and fruity taste and this is perfect to pair with the salmon’s amazing and rich flavours.

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Riesling and Spicy Tuna Roll

When it comes to the world of food and wine pairings, spicy dishes need spicy and full-bodied wines. If you serve a spicy dish with a wine that is not flavourful, the food may overpower the wine. Because of how spicy and meaty the spicy tuna roll is, you need a wine that has character and the Riesling is a great example.Riesling is a white grape from Germany that has interesting flowery flavours and high acidity. The spicy tuna roll also goes well with a Chardonnay.

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Dry/ Sparkling wine with Sushi

Because of the flavour profiles of different types of sushi, sparkling wine is a great compliment. The bubbles and taste of the sparkling wine stimulate the palate after a bite of the sushi rice which has a mildly sweet vinegary taste. This is a very general pairing and it requires some trial and error before you find the perfect fit.

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