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.
El Porvenir - Pequeñas Fermentaciones GSM 2022
A perfectly balanced GSM blend, revealing the imprint of the Andean terroir
Atamisque - Atamisque Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
A Cabernet from the Uco Valley, blackcurrant and graphite, structured without harshness.
460 Casina Bric - Barolo Bricco Delle Viole 2016
A single-plot Barolo from the highest altitudes of Barolo
Château Sainte Michelle - Syrah 2020
When Syrah meets Washington State
Atamisque - Serbal Malbec 2024
A juicy and floral Malbec, crafted with finesse and balance.
Vineka - Negroamaro 2023
An elegant and delicious red, symbol of Guglielmo Zito wines
Montecrocetta - Argione Appasimento 2015
An Amarone type wine made from 2 emblematic Bordeaux grape varieties
Primus - Carménère 2023
A complex and harmonious Carménère with notes of spices and very ripe fruit.
Tarapacá - Gran Reserva Organic 2024
An organic blended wine with multiple aromatic facets
Matías Riccitelli - Old Vine From Patagonia Malbec- 2022
Old ungrafted Malbec vines, planted in the heart of Patagonia
Dog Point - Pinot noir 2021
Concentration, silky texture, complex aromas: a high-flying Pinot Noir!
Dorrance - Cuvée Ameena 2022
A vintage worthy of the great wines of the Northern Rhône!
Acústic Celler - Braó 2019
Complexity, richness and elegance in this magnificent Catalan vintage.
Te Mata Estate - Merlot Cabernets 2022
Aromatic complexity and voluptuousness come together in this beautiful full-bodied wine from New Zealand.
Mount Langi Ghiran - Billi Billi 2022
A beautiful Syrah from Australia, rich in spices and very drinkable!
El Porvenir - Malbec Nuevos Suelos 2022
A Malbec crafted in the purity of its Alpine terroir
Crystallum - Cuvée Cinéma 2024
A haute couture Pinot Noir, with exceptional aromatic concentration rivaling the great wines of Burgundy.
Quinta do Crasto - Flor de Crasto Rouge 2021
A beautiful blend from the Douro Valley, with intense flavors of black fruits
Valenciso - Tinto Reserva 2014
A dense, deep and complex Rioja crafted with elegance
Mount Pleasant - Philip 2018
A Syravistant cuvée with beautiful aromatic power from the Hunter Valley.
Alamos - Bonarda 2020
The expression of the Bonarda grape variety which demonstrates all its potential
Poeira - Po de Poeira 2019
A surprising Douro red wine combining finesse and elegance.
Pittacum - Petit Pittacum 2020
A seductive and juicy expression of the Mencía grape
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.