What wine goes with lamb? Pairings for leg, shoulder and chops
713 wines to serve with lambWith lamb, choose a spicy, sun-drenched red: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, or a Cabernet Sauvignon with notes of blackcurrant and mint. The fragrant, slightly fatty meat loves silky tannins and aromas of garrigue.
Leg of lamb with herbs calls for a Rioja or a Tuscan Sangiovese, slow-cooked shoulder for a generous Grenache, grilled chops for a Malbec or an Australian Shiraz. Our selection covers Italy, Spain, South Africa and Argentina to go with every way of cooking it.
Atamisque - Atamisque Malbec 2023
Atamisque's high-altitude Malbec, black fruit, leather and chocolate in the background.
Groot Constantia - Lady of Abundance 2021
An astonishing blend with flavors of black fruits and spices
Southern Right - Pinotage 2023
An intense and complex Pinotage, grown on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean
Tenet Wines - Syrah The Pundit 2020
The expression of Washington's terroirs expressed through Syrah
Zeni - Amarone della Valpolicella Classico "Vigne Alte" 2019
A haute couture Amarone with a seductive and intense aromatic palette
Domaine des Tourelles - Rouge 2022
A high-altitude red of great character, coming from one of the founding areas of Lebanese viticulture.
460 Casina Bric - Barolo 2018
An intense Barolo deeply imbued with its high altitude terroir
San Marzano - Negroamaro Puglia 2024
A sublime Negroamaro, an indigenous grape variety from Puglia.
Riebeek Cellars & Ryno Booysen - Percheron Shiraz-Mourvèdre 2025
A generous blend in the “Languedocian” style but with a resolutely South African identity
Groot Constantia - Shiraz 2021
A magnificent Syrah with a fine and elegant structure
Tricerchi - Rosso di Montalcino 2024
A Rosso di Montalcino made with elegance and freshness
Tetramythos - Agiorgitiko nature 2025
A resurrected variety from the slopes of Mount Helmos
Veramonte - Pinot Noir 2024
A typical Chilean Pinot Noir, well structured, delicious and organic!
Bear Creek & Samantha Bailey - Rib Tickler Shiraz 2023
A suave and gourmet expression of Syrah
Torbreck - Old Vines 2021
A GSM assembly with mastery and harmony
Wildeberg - Coterie Cabernet Franc & Malbec 2020
A superb blend of Cabernet Franc and Malbec
Quinta Das Maias - Tinto 2023
An organic red with character and typical of the Dão region
Tarapacá - Carménère 2024
The emblematic grape variety of Chile in a light and expressive cuvée at the same time.
Shaw & Smith - Shiraz 2021
High-altitude Syrah from the Adelaide Hills: blackberry and pepper, power held in check by freshness.
Valdrinal - Crianza Tradicion 2021
A tasty Ribera del Duero with notes of forest fruits and oriental spices
Tetramythos - Mavro Kalavrytino nature 2024
Mavro Kalavrytino, a rare grape variety from the Peloponnese
Arewine - Karmir Rouge 2022
Ripe cherry, vanilla and sweet spice, a barrel-aged Armenian red that embraces its depth.
Listening Station - Shiraz 2023
A Syrah from Victoria, supple and with peppery notes
El Porvenir - Amauta Malbec 2023
A sunny wine expressing the typicality of Malbec from Cafayate
Which wine for which lamb recipe?
Pink, slow-cooked or spiced, lamb changes character with the recipe. The wine follows the same path.
| Dish | Wines to choose | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Roast leg of lamb with garlic seven-hour leg of lamb, pink leg of lamb | Rioja (Tempranillo), Chianti, Cabernet Sauvignon | Fine tannins frame the pink meat, and the garrigue notes answer the thyme. |
| Slow-cooked shoulder shoulder, lamb shank | Grenache, Spanish Garnacha, Mourvèdre | Melting meat with concentrated juices calls for a warm, round wine with ripe fruit. |
| Grilled chops chops, barbecue skewers | Malbec, Shiraz, Syrah | Grilled fat and herbs find their echo in dark fruit and pepper. |
| Tagine and couscous tagine with prunes, couscous royal | Primitivo from Puglia, Grenache, Pinotage | Dried fruit and sweet spices go well with a generous red with supple tannins. |
| Spring navarin navarin with spring vegetables, stew | Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc | A light stew calls for a fresh, easy-drinking red with red fruit aromas. |
| Méchoui and kefta méchoui, cumin skewers | South African Syrah, Negroamaro | Cumin and flame call for a spicy, fleshy, generous wine. |
| Herb-crusted rack rack, lamb noisettes | Barolo, Langhe Nebbiolo, Brunello di Montalcino | A noble cut deserves a great red with finely chiselled tannins and aromas of rose. |
With mint sauce or a tangy marinade, prefer a livelier red served at around 15 °C.
Syrah, lamb's ideal travelling companion
If only one grape variety could go with lamb, it would be Syrah. Its notes of pepper, black olive and violet extend the rosemary and garlic. In the Swartland or Constantia, in South Africa, it keeps a lovely freshness; under the name Shiraz, in Australia, it gains roundness and sweet spice, perfect for barbecued chops.
Grenache is the other great ally. In Spain, Garnacha gives warm wines with jammy fruit that melt into a shoulder slow-cooked for hours. In Italy, the Sangiovese of a Chianti Rufina from Fattoria di Basciano brings acidity and tart cherry, enough to lighten a Sunday leg of lamb. Choose according to the season: fresh Syrah in spring, sun-drenched Grenache when the days grow shorter.
Three pairings to try
Easter leg of lamb and Chianti Rufina. The cherry and acidity of Sangiovese liven up the pink meat.
Slow-cooked shoulder and Garnacha. Two melting textures that answer each other, with a touch of spice.
Tagine with prunes and Primitivo. The ripe fruit of Puglia embraces the sweet and savoury.
The Wine Wanderer Team
Your questions about wine and lamb
What red wine goes with leg of lamb?
With a leg of lamb, serve an elegant red with fine tannins: a Tempranillo-based Rioja, a Chianti, or a South African Cabernet Sauvignon. For a meltingly tender seven-hour leg of lamb, a Grenache is a better fit. Our detailed pairings are gathered in our guide what wine goes with leg of lamb.
What wine goes with slow-cooked shoulder of lamb?
For a slow-cooked shoulder of lamb, choose a round, warm red such as a Grenache, a Spanish Garnacha or a blend with Mourvèdre. The melting meat and its caramelised juices call for ripe fruit and enveloping tannins. An Australian Syrah also works very well.
White or red wine with lamb?
Red is usually the best choice with lamb, thanks to its tannins and spicy aromas. A rich white, such as a Viognier or a barrel-aged Chenin, can however go with milk-fed lamb or a shank with citrus. A more structured orange wine also makes an original pairing.
What wine goes with lamb tagine?
With a lamb tagine, serve a fruity red with supple tannins: Primitivo from Puglia, Grenache or South African Pinotage. Dried fruit and sweet spices love a generous wine served slightly chilled. Discover more ideas in our article what wine goes with couscous or tagine.
What wine to serve with Easter lamb?
For Easter lamb, go for an elegant, springlike red: Pinot Noir from New Zealand, Sangiovese from Tuscany or Cabernet Franc. These fresh wines go with the tender meat of milk-fed lamb and spring vegetables. For a big family meal, a Brunello di Montalcino marks the occasion.
At what temperature should wine be served with lamb?
Serve wine with lamb between 15 and 17 °C. A Grenache or a Shiraz benefits from being slightly chilled to keep its brightness. Great young reds, such as a Barolo, open up better after an hour in a decanter.