Matching Wine With North African and Middle Eastern Food

This style of food is becoming increasingly popular, and is bringing a myriad of new flavours and ideas to our tables. Much of the tradition of this style of food, is based on sweet, rather than hot spices ( think cinnamon, allspice, cumin), and incorporates fruit in many of the dishes ( think tagines and couscous).

The best wines for this style of cuisine are very fruity dry and off-dry whites, such as South African Chenin blanc, and French or New World Viognier.

Fruity New World Shiraz Rose is another good option. For reds, to balance the sweet fruit and cinnamon spice, your best bet are soft, fruity reds, with a natural sweet spice of their own – Sicilian Nero d’Avola, Spanish Tempranillo, and juicy Merlot – Californian Zinfandel would also go well.