When it comes to pairing wine with couscous, a light rosé or a fruity red wine are perfect choices that will enhance the flavors of the dish. Couscous, a traditional dish from the Maghreb region, is a flavorful and hearty meal that has been enjoyed by French families and friends for decades. It is a mixture of spices, vegetables and meats, cooked in a broth and served with semolina. The variations of this dish are many, but they all offer the sun-kissed flavors that are expected. The choice of wine is crucial to not disrupt the taste symphony.
Couscous served with a rose wine
For the perfect pairing between couscous and wine, rosé is an excellent choice. Here is a selection of wines to consider:
- Faugères from Languedoc-Roussillon offers delicate red fruit and licorice aromas. Its slightly smoky flavor will enhance the spices in the couscous;
- Sidi Brahim rosé is very fruity and ideal with a well-seasoned couscous royal. Its grilled bread flavor and woody finish blend harmoniously with the harissa;
- Boulaouane rosé is a wine from Morocco. Its sweet flavor softens spicy dishes and its acidity awakens the taste buds. Best enjoyed very cold to fully appreciate its white peach notes;
- Côtes-du-rhône rosé is a rather dry wine that will enhance the flavors of your couscous. Its flavors of currant and raspberry are complemented by a hint of pear and pineapple, giving it a refreshing edge;
- Tavel is a great cru from the Rhône Valley, very round and long on the palate. It unfolds rich aromas of red fruits, particularly strawberry and raspberry. As it ages, its pale pink color turns golden and amber, and its flavor becomes richer with notes of toasted almond, while the fruity taste intensifies;
- Bandol AOC is a light wine that brings a refreshing note to spicy dishes like couscous. In addition to red fruit, it has a pleasant note of peach and apricot, tinted with fennel or mint depending on the terroir.
Couscous served with a red wine
If you prefer to serve red wine with your couscous, it is important to select a wine that is young, light, and fruity. A rich tannic wine would clash unpleasantly with the spices in the couscous. Here is a selection of red wines to consider:
- Côtes de Provence is a sweet and fruity wine that exudes aromas of red or black berries, which perfectly enhance the spices in the couscous;
- Corbières, like Côte de Provence or Saint-Chinian, offers pronounced flavors of small berries that awaken the Mediterranean accents of couscous;
- Coteaux-du-loir is a wine with a light color that is rather deceiving. It develops spicy and subtly peppery aromas that pair very well with the oriental flavors of couscous. As it ages, the clove note intensifies and the Gamay-based crus become richer with a cherry fragrance;
- Coteaux du Vendômois has a beautiful deep garnet, almost violet color. It is a smooth and well-structured wine, which unfolds a clever mixture of spices, blackcurrant and cherry;
- Guerrouane, from Morocco, is a round and velvety wine that cleverly complements dishes with Mediterranean or oriental flavors. Light and fruity, it offers a beautiful palette of red fruit aromas.
Couscous is a delicious dish that can be enjoyed in many variations, such as royal couscous, chicken couscous or lamb couscous. To perfect your culinary masterpiece, don’t overlook the importance of wine. The ideal food and wine pairing allows the Mediterranean and oriental flavors of couscous to be brought out without weighing them down. The wine and couscous should enhance and complement each other. That’s why it’s important to carefully select the beverage you will serve to your guests.