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.
Doña Paula - Estate Smoked Red Blend 2023
A wine made to accompany your wild barbecues!
Diemersfontein - The Original Pinotage 2023
A typical Wellington Pinotage with a rich and spicy profile
Matías Riccitelli - Republica del Malbec 2020
An exceptional wine, elegant and precise with round and silky tannins
Matías Riccitelli - The Apple doesn't fall far from the tree Malbec 2021
A full-bodied and intensely aromatic wine, made by a Malbec master!
Giménez Méndez - Viña Las Brujas 2024
The king grape variety of Uruguay, Tannat.
Henschke - Keyneton Euphonium 2018
An Australian red blend that marries the power of Barossa with the fresh elegance of Eden Valley.
E's Vino - Ello Malbec de Ánfora 2022
A top-class Malbec, vinified using traditional methods in amphorae, combining aromatic intensity and refined structure.
Domaine Dubois - Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Rouge Clos des Argilières 2020
Blackberry, violet and tobacco: a Nuits premier cru built for long ageing.
Ceretto - Langhe Rosso Mosordo 2023
Three international grape varieties united in the heart of the Langhe, with deep black fruit.
Rockford - Rod & Spur Shiraz Cabernet 2019
A sumptuous Syrah-Cabernet Sauvignon duo from the Barossa Valley
Erath - Pinot Noir 2019
An honest, fruity Oregon Pinot, made for the everyday table.
Vineka - Rosso Puglia 2024
2 indigenous grape varieties from Puglia blended to create a round and easy-drinking wine
The Sadie Family - Pofadder 2024
Old Cinsault vines on the Kasteelberg, aged in barrel then bottled unfiltered.
Tarapacá - Carménère Reserva 2024
The emblematic grape variety of Chile in a vintage that is both fleshy and intense.
Torres - Pago del Cielo Celeste Reserva 2018
The flagship of the estate, combining roundness and aromatic richness
Silver Oak - Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley
A legendary Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley
Bousquet - Gran Malbec 2024
An assembled Malbec, dense and complex, from the Gualtallary highlands
Goldeneye - Pinot Noir 2019
A precise and complex Pinot Noir from the Anderson Valley
Renzo Masi - Chianti Riserva 2022
A magnificent Chianti with nuances of spices and wild fruits.
Álvaro Palacios - Camins del Priorat 2024
A sophisticated blend made by Álvaro Palacios, surely the most talented winemaker in Spain.
Diemersfontein - Carpe Diem Malbec 2019
Malbec from Wellington, blackberry and violet carried by a generous structure.
Domaine de Tournon - Mathilda rouge 2018
A spicy and typical Australian Syrah
Stellenrust - Kleine Rust Red 2019
An astonishing blend of Pinotage and Syrah, with flavors of red fruits and smoky spices
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.