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.
Dario di Vaira - Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
A Tuscan Cabernet from the Maremma coast, combining concentration, marine freshness and elegant structure.
Autòcton Celler - El Mas Vilella 2015
A Catalan red with character, where Mediterranean freshness meets the depth of old vines.
Riglos - Gran Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
A high-altitude Cabernet Sauvignon, powerful and precise, revealing the freshness and depth of the Gualtallary terroir.
Dominio del Águila - Canta la Perdiz 2020
A great red wine from Ribera del Duero, deep and precise, made from very old Tempranillo vines.
Felsina - Castello di Farnetella 2023
A balanced and expressive Tuscan red, where the freshness of Sangiovese meets the roundness of international grape varieties.
Sottimano - Cottà Barbaresco 2020
A vintage Barbaresco combining aromatic finesse, precise structure and depth typical of the great hills of Neive.
Garganta del Diablo - Malbec 2024
A high-altitude Argentinian Malbec, combining intense fruit, Andean freshness and silky tannins.
Gini Scajari - Le Mattoline 2018
A Venetian red from volcanic hills, combining aromatic intensity and balance on the palate.
Gianni Brunelli - Brunello di Montalcino 2020
A Brunello of terroir, precise and profound, where the elegance of Sangiovese meets the power of the hills of Montalcino.
Cantine Lonardo - Vigne d'Alto Taurasi 2016
A high-altitude Taurasi, deep and structured, which accurately expresses the volcanic freshness of Irpinia.
La Rioja Alta - Gran Reserva Viña Arana 2017
A great Rioja Alta in classic style, combining aromatic finesse, elegant oakiness and remarkable aging potential.
Dominio de Es - Viñas Viejas de Soria 2021
A high-altitude Ribera del Duero, deep and precise, from very old Tempranillo vines from the Atauta Valley.
Schiavenza - Barolo Serralunga d'Alba 2022
A Barolo from Serralunga d'Alba that is deep, structured and precise, faithfully expressing the nobility of Nebbiolo and the strength of its terroir.
Sottimano - Pajoré Barbaresco 2020
A precise and profound Barbaresco vintage, combining the aromatic finesse of Nebbiolo with a slender and persistent structure.
Viu Manent - Viu 8 Cuvée Infinito 2018
A Chilean red from Colchagua that is both concentrated and elegant, where the ripeness of the fruit is combined with a refined structure.
Tyrrell's - Single Vineyard Old Hillside Shiraz 2018
A Shiraz from Hunter Valley combining depth of fruit, freshness and spicy elegance.
Yarra Yering - Dry Red N°1 2019
A great Bordeaux blend from the Yarra Valley, combining freshness, precision and aromatic depth.
Dominio de Es - La Diva 2021
An intense and precise Ribera del Duero from old vines, where concentration meets elegance.
Viu Manent - Single Vineyard San Carlos Malbec 2019
A precise and expressive Malbec from Colchagua, where the depth of the fruit combines with an elegant and fresh structure.
Gini Scajari - Scajari Riserva 2011
A Venetian red wine of terroir, ample and structured, where the depth of the fruit meets the elegance of the hills of eastern Valpolicella.
Viu Manent - Single Vineyard La Capilla Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
A precise and structured Cabernet Sauvignon from Colchagua, combining aromatic intensity and elegant texture.
Henschke - Hill of Grace Museum Release 2008
An icon of the Eden Valley, combining aromatic depth, elegance and great aging potential.
Henschke - Mount Edelstone Shiraz 2019
A deep and refined Eden Valley Shiraz, made from old vines, which combines aromatic intensity and elegant texture.
Quinta da Romaneira - Reserva 2017
A great red from the Douro, intense, structured and elegant, which accurately expresses the character of the valley and its native grape varieties.
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.