Sushi spot that actually thought about wine
Riverwalk · Milwaukee · Japanese sushi and Asian fusion · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 9, 2026
Wingman Metrics
Walking into Screaming Tuna, you expect the wine list to be an afterthought stapled onto a sake menu — and then it isn't. Someone here clearly put in the work to match the list to the food, leaning into aromatic whites and cool-climate reds that actually make sense next to raw fish. It's not a deep list, but it's a considered one.
The list runs 30-60 bottles and shows a clear point of view: Alsace, Oregon, Burgundy, and New Zealand anchor the selections, with dry Alsatian Riesling and Gewürztraminer doing the heavy lifting on the white side. Oregon and Burgundian Pinot Noir cover the red column without straying into overripe, tannic territory that would bulldoze delicate sushi. Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc shows up as the crowd-pleaser option, and it earns its spot here. The sake program adds genuine depth and gives the list a personality most Milwaukee restaurant wine lists completely lack.
The by-the-glass program runs 8-15 options, which is respectable for a sushi spot of this size. We'd want to see the Alsatian whites featured prominently by the glass — that's where this list shines and where most tables will be best served. Rotation appears limited, so don't expect a lot of movement on the BTG list between visits.
Dry Alsatian Riesling — $12–$15
Alsatian Riesling at a sushi restaurant is exactly the right call — bright acidity, zero residual sugar, and a mineral edge that plays off raw fish and rice vinegar without missing a beat. If it's on the glass list, order it immediately.
Junmai Daiginjo Sake
Most tables skip past the sake section and go straight for the Pinot Noir. That's a mistake. A junmai daiginjo — made with highly polished rice and no added alcohol — is as close to a fine wine experience as sake gets, and it bridges the gap between the kitchen and the glass in a way no Pinot Noir can.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
It's fine. It's just not interesting. Marlborough Sauv Blanc is the safe airport-wine pick on a list that has better options. With Alsatian whites available, there's no reason to default to grapefruit water.
Dry Alsatian Gewürztraminer + Dragon Roll
Gewürztraminer's lychee and rose notes and off-dry-leaning aromatics cut right through the richness of the Dragon Roll's avocado and tempura shrimp without overpowering the delicate fish underneath. It's the kind of pairing that makes you feel like you figured something out.
🎲 The Bottom Line
Screaming Tuna isn't a wine destination, but it's a sushi spot with a wine list that actually respects the food it's serving — and in Milwaukee, that's worth calling out. Take a chance on the Alsatian whites or the sake program and you'll leave happy.
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