Which Wine to Pair With Couscous?

WHICH RED WINE TO PAIR WITH COUSCOUS?

Although there are many versions of couscous, often depending on its origin, royal couscous is the most common recipe. This version of couscous naturally contains semolina, as in all recipes, as well as a good number of vegetables, but also pieces of meat. As for the meats, although these can also vary, it is rather common to find merguez, poultry, as well as lamb skewers. The presence of meat in this very aromatic dish allows it to be accompanied by a red wine. The tannins contained in red wines are integrated by the proteins in the meat, which makes the food and wine pairing quite possible.

FRESH AND FRUITY RED WINE WITH SUPPLE TANNINS

The perfect red wine for your traditional couscous is fresh, fruit-driven and has soft, very fine tannins. Although the presence of meat allows the wine to be paired with red wine, couscous is a very fragrant and often spicy dish! Spicy dishes do not go well with tannins. Moreover, the presence of vegetables in couscous, whether royal or completely vegetarian, justifies the choice of a wine with little tannin. The tannins accentuate the bitterness of the vegetables. This is why the ideal wine has well-integrated tannins. All in all, "wine with soft tannins" does not mean that the wine cannot have a spicy aromatic profile. On the contrary! With couscous one appreciates wines made from the Syrah and Mourvèdre grapes, known for their spicy aromas and crisp fruitiness. The Corbières and Saint-Chinian appellations in the Languedoc region express red and black fruits wonderfully, while revealing a nice spicy structure. These wines come from warm and sunny terroirs and are fleshy and pleasantly powerful.

TANDEM - DOMAINE DES OULED THALEB - ALAIN GRAILLOT & JACQUES POULAIN

Looking for exoticism, discovery and surprise? Dare to try a regional pairing with a Moroccan wine produced by the Ouled Thaleb estate. The Tandem cuvée will make you discover and appreciate the Moroccan Syrah. This single-variety wine reveals aromas of ripe black fruits that mingle with delicious spicy notes, typical of the Syrah grape. Its chocolate finish will go well with the smokiness of the meat, while bringing a certain freshness, due to the plots of land cultivated at altitude.

WHICH ROSÉ WINE TO PAIR WITH COUSCOUS?

It is very common to accompany a dish of couscous with a glass of rosé. Some would even say that it is an obvious and even traditional pairing! It is true that rosé goes perfectly with royal, seafood or vegetarian couscous! Indeed, the fruitiness, freshness and barely perceptible tannins of rosé wine mean that it goes just as well with poultry, lamb, shrimp or vegetables.

ROSÉ FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN

As couscous is a Mediterranean dish, originating in the Maghreb, rosés from the basin are perfect for all couscous dishes. Rosés from the Languedoc, or Costières de Nîmes AOC wines, for example, are very dry, delicate, with flowery aromas, which go very well with fragrant and slightly spicy dishes. A couscous with lamb skewers will be absolutely sublime with a wine from this appellation.

With its gourmet aromas of crushed strawberries and raspberries and its warm mouthfeel, Tavel rosés are highly appreciated as an accompaniment to couscous. This gastronomic rosé has a deep colour and a strong structure due to a skin maceration. This rosé therefore has more character and volume than a classic rosé. It is therefore ideal for the royal couscous with its pieces of meat. Still in the Provençal wine region, Bandol also offers rosés with character, rosés for meals, perfectly suited to support the intense aromatic palette of couscous.

WHICH WHITE WINE TO PAIR WITH COUSCOUS?

Of course, white wine also has its place with couscous! However, it is not recommended with royal couscous. The presence of the strong meat could bury the subtle aromas of the white wine. With your seafood, fish or vegetable couscous, white wine is more than welcome! Courgettes, onions, carrots, aubergines, tomatoes, parsley and chilli will be wonderfully framed by the freshness and aromas of white wine. White wine is the ideal solution for lovers of spicy dishes. So for your Tunisian couscous, you can get out the harissa!