Oroya White Sushi Wine Sequra Viudas Brut Rose

Just in case you're brave enough to make your own sushi at home (or perhaps you'll order takeout from a local sushi bar), this month we introduce you to one wine with exotic flavors that was made with sushi in mind, and another that provides a crisp flavor and proves to be an ideal complement to the Japanese staple.

Sushi dates back in history to Southeast Asia during the seventh century. Sushi is a low-fat meal that is quick and delicious to make with lots of nutrients. Years ago, the beverage selection for sushi was restricted to beer and sake, but consumers now have a choice in selecting a wine like Oroya (or-oh-yah) over beer or sake.

Made by Japanese winemaker Yoko Sato, Oroya pairs very well with sushi. It is a white wine blend of the following: 60 percent Airen grapes, featuring bold flavors with nice fruit characteristics; 30 percent Macabeo grapes to add crispness; and 10 percent Muscat grapes to provide a touch of sweetness that tempers the heat found in wasabi. Oroya is a wine that is crisp and fruit forward, two characteristics you need to deal with the complex flavors of sushi.

Another sushi wine paring would be Sequra Viudas Brut Rosé. This sparkling wine is produced in the old world traditional methode champenoise process. Sequra Viudas Brut Rosé is a well-made cava balanced with crisp fresh fruit flavors of raspberry, and has a nice cherry finish that adds to the touch of sweetness on the palate. Sequra Viudas Brut Rosé is crisp and has that hint of fruit that matches very well with sushi.

Look for these wines for sushi at your local fine-wine retailers. Oroya white sushi wine retails for $9, and you can find Sequra Viudas Brut Rosé Sparkling for $10.—Rick Rodger, Heidelberg Distributing Co.