What wine goes with lamb? Pairings for leg, shoulder and chops
723 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.
Petrakopoulos - Mavro 2021
An island red from Cephalonia that combines maritime freshness, ripe fruit and fine tannins.
La Rioja Alta - Gran Reserva 904 2016
A great classic from Rioja Alta, combining finesse, aromatic complexity and remarkable aging potential.
Quinta da Romaneira - Sino da Romaneira 2020
A precise and harmonious Douro red, which combines the richness of indigenous grape varieties with contemporary elegance.
Juan Carlos Sancha - Cerro la Isa tinto 2019
A precise and fresh high-altitude Garnacha from Rioja Oriental, which finely expresses the unique character of the Cerro la Isa terroir.
Dominio de Es - Carravilla 2021
A high-altitude Ribera del Duero, combining aromatic depth, freshness and tannic elegance.
Quinta da Romaneira - Dona Clara 2019
A Douro red combining aromatic intensity, freshness and structure, true to the steep terroir of Quinta da Romaneira.
Tyrrell's - Old Winery Shiraz 2022
A juicy and spicy Australian Shiraz, combining luscious fruit and a supple structure for immediate enjoyment.
Seghesio Family Vineyards - Cortina Zinfandel 2019
A Zinfandel from the Russian River Valley combining fruity intensity, freshness and spicy depth.
Beaumont Family Wines - Far Side Mourvèdre 2021
A Mourvèdre from Bot River that is deep, spicy and remarkably balanced.
Ravines - Cabernet Franc 2022
A Cabernet Franc from a cool climate, precise and elegant, carried by the freshness of the Finger Lakes.
Stark-Conde - Three Pines Syrah 2018
A high-altitude Syrah combining aromatic depth, freshness and elegance, emblematic of the Jonkershoek valley.
Masintin - Carignan Truquilemu 2020
A Chilean Carignan from Truquilemu that combines freshness, depth of fruit and a tasty structure.
Viu Manent - Single Vineyard Loma Blanca Carmenère 2022
A precise and harmonious Carmenère from Colchagua, combining ripe fruit, sweet spices and a silky texture.
Quinta da Romaneira - Três Parcelas 2019
A precise and structured Douro red, which combines the freshness of the mountain terroir with the depth of indigenous grape varieties.
Kanonkop Wine Estate - Estate Pinotage 2023
A deep and structured Pinotage that accurately expresses the personality of Simonsberg.
Luca Wines - Beso de Dante 2019
An Argentinian red from high altitudes, combining Andean intensity, freshness and Bordeaux elegance.
Viu Manent - Secret Carmenère 2022
An expressive and velvety Chilean Carmenère, where the lusciousness of the fruit meets sweet spices and a harmonious finish.
Michelini i Mufatto - Motorpsico 2022
A Bierzo de Mencía full of freshness and energy, driven by vibrant fruit and remarkable drinkability.
Tyrrell's - Winemakers Selection Vat 9 Shiraz 2021
A classic and refined Shiraz from Hunter Valley, where elegance takes precedence over power.
Seghesio Family Vineyards - Home Ranch Zinfandel 2021
A Zinfandel from the Russian River Valley that is both generous and structured, combining aromatic intensity and balance on the palate.
Michelini i Mufatto - En el Camino Mencía 2022
A precise and vibrant Mencía de Bierzo, combining fruit purity, freshness and fine texture.
Gómez Cruzado - Vina Dorana Reserva 2017
A Rioja with character that elegantly combines fruit, spices and traditional farming.
Beeslaar - Beeslaar Pinotage 2021
A deep and structured Pinotage that accurately reveals the elegance of Simonsberg-Stellenbosch.
Sebestyen - Porkolab bikavér 2019
A Bikavér from Eger combining black fruits, spices and freshness, rooted in Hungarian tradition.
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.