Best Wines with Lamb Curries and Tagines

Dishes like aromatic tagines—the traditional slow-cooked dish from Morocco—or curries, with a complex mix of spices, need wine pairings that are just as complex. Red wine is usually the first choice to go with them, but a white wine could be better for curries that have a noticeable heat.

A creamy lamb curry with a coconut milk or almond base needs a wine that can handle the rich, nutty taste of the dish. An off-dry Riesling could be the go-to choice. Its natural sweetness helps cool the spicy heat of the dish, while its sharp tartness balances out the creamy richness. An off-dry or dry Chenin Blanc can also work well.

If you like dishes like lamb Rogan Josh, try a glass of Gewürztraminer. This golden, slightly sweet white wine will cool the curry's heat and go well with its spices.

If you’d like to go for a red, choose a medium-bodied wine with notes of spice to complement the spices in your food, like a Zinfandel.

Choose a medium- to full-bodied red wine to serve alongside a spicy lamb tagine. A bold, peppery Syrah will do the trick—try River Rock Syrah 2019, with expressive fig and black currant aromas.