Food & wine pairing: a Lamb Tajine

Lamb tagine combines sweet-savory flavors, spicy but not pungent, with a melt-in-the-mouth texture provided by the lamb meat. The contrast between dried fruits and spices offers a complex aromatic profile that calls for wines capable of standing up to this richness while offering a certain freshness to balance the generosity of the dish. Supple, spicy red wines or certain complex, fruity whites are excellent choices.

A Rhône Valley wine, such as a Côtes-du-Rhône des Vignerons d'Estezargues, is a perfect match for a lamb tagine. With its aromas of black fruits (blackcurrant, blackberry), spices (pepper, licorice), and supple tannins, this wine offers the structure needed to accompany the richness of the dish without overpowering the subtle flavors of spices and dried fruits. The typical blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre brings beautiful aromatic depth while remaining harmonious and generous, balancing the sweet and spicy notes of the tagine.

The Châteauneuf-du-Pape du domaine Usseglio is a fuller-bodied, opulent option that pairs very well with a lamb tagine, especially one rich in dried fruit and spices. This powerful yet elegant wine, with aromas of ripe red and black fruits, garrigue, and sweet spices, has a silky texture and mellow tannins that perfectly accompany the lamb's tenderness and the dish's sweet-salty notes.

Another Rhône Valley wine, the Gigondas bio, is an excellent choice to accompany a lamb tagine. More powerful than the Côtes-du-Rhône, it offers intense aromas of black fruits, spices (pepper, licorice), with a tannic structure that is present but supple. This robust wine perfectly complements the richness of the dish and matches the spicy notes of the tajine, while bringing a beautiful complexity.

Californian Zinfandel, with its aromas of jammy black fruits, black pepper and cinnamon, is another ideal red wine to accompany a lamb tagine. Its soft tannins and spicy, fruity profile blend well with the sweet, spicy flavors of the dish. Its roundness on the palate and warmth offer a beautiful harmony with the lamb meat and dried fruits of the tagine.

Although red wines are often favored with a lamb tagine, some rich, aromatic white wines can also go very well with the dish's complex flavors. Viognier, with its floral and fruity aromas (apricot, peach, white flowers), and slightly oily texture, is a white wine that goes very well with lamb tagine. The wine's roundness and low acidity make it an ideal choice to accompany the dish's sweet spices and dried fruits. Its aromatic richness and depth add a touch of freshness while complementing the complex flavors of the tagine. The cuvée les Contours de Deponcins from domaine François Villard is a superb discovery with this dish.