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.
Diemersfontein - Shiraz 2023
A fusion of cherries, spices and violet
460 Casina Bric - Ansi Langhe Rosso 2021
A superb blend of Nebbiolo and Barbera, mastered to perfection by Gianluca Viberti
Storm - Vrede Pinot noir 2018
A true local wine, this Pinot Noir expresses purity, elegance and aromatic depth
Etchart - Reserve Malbec 2024
A unique vintage of Malbec from vines planted at an altitude of 1750 meters!
Bodega Noemia - A Lisa Malbec 2021
A fresh and harmonious Malbec, the signature of the Patagonian terroir
Wildeberg - Coterie Grenache & Syrah 2022
The alliance of Grenache's richness and Syrah's spicy finesse, offering a generous, silky, and remarkably balanced wine
La Rural - Rutini Colección Cabernet, Malbec 2023
A very nice Malbec-Cabernet Sauvignon blend with flavors of black fruit spices
Santa Rita - Pewen Carmenere 2020
The noble and intense expression of Chilean Carménère
Thymiopoulos - Kayafas 2019
One of the Grands Crus plots of the Thymiopoulos estate
Occidental - Freestone Pinot Noir 2024
A Pinot Noir combining intensity and refinement, from the coastal vineyards of Sonoma
Tenuta Buon Tempo - Brunello di Montalcino 2018
A voluptuous Brunello di Montalcino with a persistent and tasty aromatic imprint.
Thymiopoulos - Aftorizo 2020
One of the estate's Grands Crus, produced from ungrafted vines
Savage Wines - Thief In The Night 2023
An intense and fragrant Grenache with Burgundian allure
Álvaro Palacios - Gratallops Vi de Vila 2023
A fresh, intense and mineral Grenache-Carignan duo from the slopes of Priorat.
Rijk's - Private Cellar Pinotage 2021
A rich and complex Pinotage produced by a specialist estate
Acústic Celler - Montsant Rouge 2022
Magnificent wine from Catalonia made with respect for its terroir based on old Carignan and Grenache vines.
Lantides - Little Ark Red 2020
A blend of 2 indigenous Greek grape varieties, with flavors of black fruits and spices
Koehler Ruprecht Saumagen - Spätburgunder Trocken 2020
A delicious and nervous German Pinot Noir, with notes of forest fruits
Matetic & Guillaume Letang - Sierra Grande Pinot Noir 2020
A delicate and elegant Pinot Noir with flavors of wild ripe fruit
Ritual - Alcaparral Block Syrah 2018
A high-end syrah with complex aromas of black fruits and spices.
Vinicola Aurora - Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2017
A lovely vintage for lovers of power with a balanced and persistent profile on the palate.
Crystallum - Mabalel 2024
Single-plot Pinot noir from the coolest place in Crystallum
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.