The best white wine with couscous

Couscous, this emblematic dish rich in spices, vegetables, and proteins, finds an ideal pairing in white wines from the Rhône Valley. Indeed, these wines stand out for their rich aromatic palette and well-defined structure, capable of harmonizing perfectly with the complexity of couscous flavors. By choosing the best white wine for couscous, you can not only balance the spicy flavors of the dish but also bring a touch of freshness, complexity, or even additional richness. Each selection of white wine from the Rhône Valley can transform your culinary experience of couscous by subtly and effectively complementing its flavors.

Martin's Tips

To enhance a couscous dish, choosing the best white wine to accompany couscous is essential. White wines from the Rhône Valley, with their diversity and aromatic richness, are particularly well-suited to this dish. An elegant and complex white wine, such as a Côtes du Rhône Blanc like our Esprit Blanc 2022, can truly enhance the spices of couscous.

This wine from our terroir is ideal as it has elegant notes of white fruits and spices (Cumin, Turmeric). These spicy notes perfectly complement the dish, which also contains these ingredients.

You can also opt for Viognier grape varieties, producing wines that combine aromatic richness and freshness, a good choice to balance the richness of couscous.

In conclusion

The ideal white wine for couscous is not easy to find; it must be complex enough to balance with the spice aromas of couscous while maintaining sufficient freshness to counterbalance the richness of the dish. The 2022 white wine from the Terra estate perfectly meets these requirements!

You can find it on our online store now, with free delivery!

The couscous recipe with fish recommended by Terra 6840:

You will need:

  • 500g of couscous
  • 1 white fish such as "gurnard"
  • 100g of cooked chickpeas
  • 4 red bell peppers
  • 4 fresh tomatoes
  • 6 onions
  • 1/2 tablespoon of tomato paste
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • Spices: a pinch of cumin, saffron
  • Salt, pepper


For the marinade:

  • 1 clove of garlic
  • olive oil
  • Spices: a pinch of cumin, saffron
  • Salt, pepper

The fish couscous recipe

 

  1. Preparing the couscous:

    • In a dish, mix the couscous with olive oil and salt.
    • Moisten your hands and gradually sprinkle water over the couscous, repeating until the couscous thickens.

  2. Cooking the couscous:

    • Fill the bottom of the couscous pot with water and bring to a boil.
    • Once the water is boiling, place the couscous in the top basket and steam for 30 minutes.

  3. Preparing the fish:

    • Cut the fish into four slices.
    • Peel and chop the garlic.
    • In a dish, combine the fish with chopped garlic, salt, pepper, saffron, cumin, and a little olive oil. Let it marinate for 10 minutes.

  4. Preparing the sauce:

    • Peel six onions, chop four of them, and cut the remaining two into quarters.
    • In a pan, sauté the chopped onions in oil until golden brown.
    • Blend tomatoes with tomato paste and pour the mixture over the onions. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes.
    • Add 2 liters of water, cumin, saffron, the remaining chopped garlic, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for 10 minutes.

  5. Cooking the ingredients:

    • Add the marinated fish, onion quarters, bell peppers cut into strips, chickpeas, and raisins to the sauce.
    • Continue cooking for an additional 10 minutes.
    • Remove the cooked fish from the sauce and set aside the raisins and chickpeas.

  6. Finishing and serving:

    • Pour the remaining sauce over the couscous and return to low heat.
    • Stir for about 5 minutes until the couscous has absorbed all the juice.
    • Place the couscous in a serving dish and serve with a white wine from the Terra estate.

 

Remember that the choice of wine also depends on the type of couscous you are preparing, especially on the choice of proteins (lamb, beef meatballs, merguez, fish, shellfish...).

 

If you or your guests enjoy red wine and are looking for the perfect red wine for your couscous, we have already written an article with a recipe to accompany you!