What wine goes with lamb? Pairings for leg, shoulder and chops
580 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.
Clos Henri Vineyard - Waimaunga Pinot Noir
Cherry, plum and fine minerality: a Marlborough Pinot Noir with silky tannins.
Torres - Grans Muralles 2019
A red from Conca de Barberà built on almost forgotten Catalan grape varieties.
Charles Melton - Nine Popes 2018
A blend in the style of the great wines of the southern Rhône, combining richness, spices and balance typical of the Barossa Valley.
Valdrinal - Quinq 2016
Old Castilian vines at 900 metres, eighteen months in new oak barrels.
Zeni - Cruino Rosso Veronese 2022
Coming from pure Venetian tradition, an Amarone that doesn't say its name!
Castello Di Ama - L'Apparita 2019
A high-altitude Tuscan Merlot, combining aromatic depth, velvety texture, and great aging potential.
Le Crocine - 57022 Bolgheri 2019
A Bolgheri red with character, combining ripe fruit, fine tannins and maritime elegance.
Schiavenza - Prapo Barolo 2018
A vintage Barolo that is both deep and precise, where the power of Serralunga meets a long-lasting elegance.
Schiavenza - Broglio Riserva Barolo 2015
A deep and structured Barolo from Serralunga d'Alba, which precisely expresses the nobility of Nebbiolo and the personality of the Broglio vintage.
Sine Qua Non - Distenta III Grenache 2021
An explosive and complex blend where Grenache plays the leading role
Atamisque - Atamisque Assemblage 2021
Atamisque's blend, black fruit and tobacco, with a decade ahead of it.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars - Cask 23 2020
Stag's Leap's top wine: a Cabernet made for twenty years in the cellar.
Col Solare - Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Antinori in partnership with Château Ste. Michelle on Red Mountain: power and length.
Kusuda - Syrah 2022
A Martinborough Syrah of great precision, combining freshness, finesse and aromatic depth.
Damascene - Syrah Stellenbosch 2022
A precise and fresh Stellenbosch syrah, where the purity of the fruit meets the elegance of the coastal terroir.
David & Nadia - Grenache 2022
The finesse of South African granite in an ethereal Grenache
Errázuriz - Kai 2019
A high-precision Chilean Carmenère, where the depth of fruit meets the elegance of the Andes.
Ata Rangi - Mc Crone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2020
A precise and refined Pinot Noir from Martinborough, where the elegance of the fruit meets the depth of the McCrone terroir.
Felton Road - Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2024
A precise and harmonious Pinot Noir from Bannockburn, where the purity of the fruit meets the elegance of the Central Otago terroir.
Damascene - Syrah Swartland 2022
A precise and profound Swartland Syrah, where the freshness of the terroir enhances the concentration of the fruit.
Santa Rita - 120 Reserva Especial Syrah 2022
Blackberry, pepper and smoke, a full-bodied Chilean Syrah without heaviness.
Campagnola - Piuma Valpolicella Ripasso 2019
A round and charming Valpolicella Ripasso
Sine Qua Non - Distenta III White 2021
An exceptional white wine that unfolds an aromatic richness, combining intensity, silky texture and an elegance of rare precision
Sine Qua Non - Distenta I 2019
An exquisite wine that captivates the senses with its unique taste profile
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.