Solid Sips to Match Serious Sushi
Downtown · Salt Lake City · Japanese and Sushi · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 13, 2026
Wingman Metrics
Takashi is one of SLC's most respected sushi spots, and the wine list knows it — it carries itself with quiet confidence without doing anything to earn it. You get a tidy, approachable list that won't embarrass anyone, but it's not here to impress the wine crowd either. Think crowd-pleasers in a room full of omakase devotees.
The list leans heavily on California and New Zealand with a nod toward Oregon and Burgundy, but don't expect any deep cuts — this is greatest hits territory. Cloudy Bay, Rombauer, and A to Z Wineworks are the marquee names, which tells you everything you need to know: safe, recognizable, reliable. The Burgundy presence suggests someone at least tried to angle the list toward sushi-friendly wines, but there's not much depth behind the gesture. Gaps in grower Champagne, Alsatian whites, and lighter reds leave real opportunity on the table for a restaurant of this caliber.
Eight to fourteen pours by the glass is a decent spread for a sushi restaurant, and the rotation covers the bases — a couple whites, probably a rosé, a Pinot or two. That said, don't expect anything rotating seasonally or off the beaten path; what's on the list tonight is likely what's been on the list for a while. It gets the job done, but you won't be discovering anything new.
A to Z Wineworks Pinot Noir — null
Oregon Pinot and raw fish are a natural match — earthy, light, and low enough in tannin to stay out of the way. A to Z is widely distributed but reliably well-made, and it's the most food-friendly red on a list that doesn't offer many red options worth ordering.
Burgundy (by the glass, if available)
If Takashi is pouring any Burgundy by the glass — and the list hints at some Burgundy presence — that's your move. Classic Chardonnay or Pinot from Burgundy alongside nigiri is one of the great underrated wine-and-food combinations, and most tables here are ordering sake or sticking to California. Be the one who orders the Bourgogne.
Rombauer Chardonnay
Rombauer is a perfectly fine wine that restaurants charge a perfectly unreasonable premium for. It's the most-recognized Chardonnay label in America, which means the markup is baked in and you're paying for the name. The butter-bomb style also doesn't do delicate sushi any favors — save it for a steakhouse.
Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc + Fresh sashimi platter
Cloudy Bay's bright citrus and clean acidity cut through the richness of raw fish and reset the palate between bites. It's not a complicated pairing, but it's one that actually works — the wine's herbal edge plays off the wasabi and the oceanic flavors of fresh sashimi without fighting for attention.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Takashi is a great restaurant with a wine list that's just along for the ride — functional, safe, and a little overpriced relative to what you get. Go for the sushi, order the Cloudy Bay or the Oregon Pinot, and don't expect the wine program to keep pace with the kitchen.
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