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.
Quinta da Carolina - Xisto Amarelo 2021
An intense, mineral Douro red, between ripe black fruit and schist relief.
La Spinetta - Barbaresco Bordini 2022
A precise and elegant single-vineyard Barbaresco, where the finesse of Nebbiolo meets the depth of the Neive terroir.
Ink Grade - Andosol Red Blend 2018
A structured and elegant Californian mountain red, where high-altitude freshness meets the depth of volcanic soils.
Giacomo Fenocchio - Barolo Cannubi 2020
A precise, structured Barolo with a strong sense of place, finely expressing the legendary elegance of Cannubi.
Macán - Macán Clásico 2021
A precise, silky Rioja Tempranillo, where fresh fruit meets the elegance of spice and oak.
Gaja - Ca'Marcanda 2020
A great Tuscan red from the coast, combining depth, elegance and aromatic precision.
Giacomo Fenocchio - Barolo Riserva 90 di Bussia 2018
A deep and structured cru Barolo from Bussia, built for aging and fine dining.
Clos Mogador - Espectacle De Montsant 2022
A powerful Grenache from the Catalonian hillsides, at once robust, refined, and intensely expressive of the Montsant terroir.
Giuseppe Quintarelli - Rosso Ca del Merlo 2017
A big Valpolicella red, ample and deep, where aromatic finesse meets a velvety and persistent palate.
Ink Grade - Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
A structured and precise mountain Cabernet, intensely expressing the volcanic freshness of Howell Mountain.
Heitz Cellar - Martha's Vineyard 2018
An iconic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, combining menthol freshness, fruit depth, and elegant texture.
Christophe Abbet - Syrah 2020
A deep and spicy Valais Syrah, combining mountain freshness with a velvety texture.
Catena Zapata - Nicasia 2020
A high-altitude Malbec from Catena Zapata, combining aromatic intensity, Andean freshness, and textural depth.
Borgogno - Barolo Liste 2020
A single-vineyard Barolo with a strong character, where the finesse of Nebbiolo meets the depth of the Liste terroir.
Catena Zapata - Adrianna River 2022
A high-altitude Malbec, precise and profound, that brilliantly expresses the unique minerality of the Adrianna vineyard.
Bond - St Eden 2021
A single-vineyard Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon, marrying depth, precision and the sculpted elegance of the St. Eden terroir.
Heitz Cellar - Trailside Vineyard 2018
A precise and classic Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, combining freshness, structure, and aromatic depth.
Boekenhoutskloof - Cabernet Sauvignon Franschhoek 2021
A precise and structured Franschhoek Cabernet Sauvignon, where the freshness of the terroir meets the depth of the fruit.
Vega Sicilia - Único 2014
A Ribera del Duero of great depth, combining aromatic complexity, silky texture, and remarkable aging potential.
Giuseppe Quintarelli - Amarone della Valpolicella classico Riserva 2015
An Amarone of great depth, where the richness of the fruit combines with a rare elegance and an impressive length.
Castello Di Ama - Vigneto Bellavista 2019
A great cru Chianti Classico, combining aromatic depth, terroir precision, and textural elegance.
Borgogno - Barolo Cannubi 2019
A terroir-driven Barolo that combines the finesse of Cannubi with the classic depth of Nebbiolo in the Borgogno tradition.
Chiappini - Felciaino 2021
A structured and gourmet Bolgheri red, where the ripeness of the fruit meets the Mediterranean elegance of the coastal terroir.
Elizabeth Spencer - Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford 2019
A Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon combining aromatic depth, precise structure, and a lingering finish.
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.