WHICH WINES TO ENJOY WITH COUSCOUS?

Depending on the recipe, the choice of wine for couscous can vary widely. Discover our different pairings to best complement your couscous (classic, royal, fish).

1) With Classic Couscous

Semolina, meat, vegetables, spices... The composition of couscous is so rich that pairing it with a single wine can quickly become complex, especially since there are many variations of couscous. Here, we'll focus on the classic recipe: couscous with three meats, usually consisting of beef, chicken, and lamb. Since semolina is relatively bland, your attention should be more on the meat and spices. A fruity and spicy red wine with silky tannins is the ideal compromise to balance the spices and soften the palate while complementing the tender texture of the meat. Opt for a Côtes de Provence or a Corbières (Languedoc). If you prefer rosé, go for a Clairet (Bordeaux).

2) Which Wine to Pair with Royal Couscous?

Couscous is a dish full of spices, flavors, and sunshine. It pairs well with several wines, as long as you pay attention to your choice: the intensity of such a dish can easily overpower (or be overpowered by) a wine. The wine pairing for royal couscous is therefore very interesting and off the beaten path. Let's explore the ideal pairings to allow you to enjoy this sun-drenched dish with a well-chosen glass of wine.

The Rules for a Perfect Wine Pairing with Royal Couscous

Royal couscous is a dish made with cooked semolina, chickpeas, various vegetables (zucchini, eggplant, carrots, celery, turnips, onions, and tomatoes), spices (salt, saffron, paprika, ras el hanout, chili…), and meats (chicken, merguez, lamb).

Given such a complex combination, the pairing should follow a four-point logic:

• The dish is very spicy: the chosen wine should bring freshness to lighten the palate and counterbalance the dish's intensity. This can be achieved with a wine that has a light structure or a fresh and peppery aromatic profile.

• The dish contains many vegetables: the wine shouldn't be too tannic or full-bodied, as it might accentuate the bitterness of the vegetables.

• The texture and flavor of the different meats combined with the chickpeas: the wine should have soft tannins or none at all to pleasantly blend with the dish.

A well-chosen wine for royal couscous will therefore be fresh, rather light, and with soft tannins.

The Safe Bet: Rosé

While many naturally think of red wine, royal couscous is actually better paired with rosé. Naturally low in tannins, light, and fresh, it ensures a successful pairing. The rosés that will best echo the intensity of this Mediterranean dish will naturally be those from the Mediterranean basin. We recommend choosing a rosé from Provence or the Languedoc-Roussillon. Fresh and light in structure, they display aromatic power with floral and fruity notes. The only exception to this rule is rosés with good aging potential for more complexity. Couscous also pairs well with aged rosés from Bandol, Les Baux de Provence, as well as Tavel or Gigondas.

The Red Wine Pairing: Choose the Right AOC

Pairing with red wine is more complex but not impossible. Red wine lovers should choose a wine with fresh and spicy flavors and a supple structure.

These criteria initially lead us to wines based on Syrah or Mourvèdre from the Languedoc-Roussillon or the northern Côtes-du-Rhône. These wines have a peppery or even minty aromatic profile and, after a few years of aging, can develop softened tannins, making them well-suited for this pairing.

Another excellent red wine choice for royal couscous takes us away from the Mediterranean and closer to the Atlantic Ocean. In the Loire Valley, on the Saumur Champigny AOC, red wines are made from Cabernet Franc, sometimes blended with Cabernet Sauvignon. Their tannins are very supple, and these wines reveal fruit aromas enhanced with spices and minty notes.

3) With Fish Couscous

Fish couscous is also a popular recipe. With this dish, you should opt for a white wine with mineral aromas to echo the briny taste of the fish and a creamy structure to ensure aromatic persistence with the texture of the semolina and vegetables. Choose a dry white wine (not sweet) from the south, such as those from Côtes du Roussillon Villages or Corsica.

Now It's Your Turn!