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.
Felton Road - MacMuir Pinot Noir 2023
A precise and profound Pinot Noir from Central Otago, combining freshness, fine tannins and aromatic intensity.
Blank Canvas - Settlement Vineyard 2020
A precise and elegant Marlborough Pinot Noir, where maritime freshness meets fruit depth.
Bondar - Rayner Vineyard Grenache 2022
A precise and perfumed McLaren Vale Grenache, where coastal freshness meets the depth of the old-vine Rayner vineyard.
Benanti - Contrada Caldera Sottana Etna Rosso 2022
A high-altitude Etna Rosso, precise and vibrant, where the finesse of Nerello Mascalese meets the mineral energy of the volcano.
Michelini i Mufatto - A Merced Mencía 2021
A precise and fresh expression of Mencía from Bierzo, combining fruit, tension and tannic finesse.
Gómez Cruzado - Pancrudo Garnacha 2022
A high-altitude Garnacha, luminous and precise, which combines freshness, finesse and aromatic intensity.
Ridge Vineyards - Lytton Estate Petite Sirah 2021
An intense Californian Petite Sirah, built for the cellar. Depth of black fruit and controlled structure.
Ridge Vineyards - Geyserville 2023
A blend from old Californian vines: intense, fresh and deeply savoury.
Sara I René Barbier - Partida Bellvisos Red 2016
A deep, mineral single-plot Priorat, where Mediterranean power meets remarkable freshness.
Alto Horizonte - Altitud 2022
A Spanish high-altitude red that combines freshness, fruit and suppleness in a harmonious palate.
Giuseppe Quintarelli - Primofiore 2023
A vibrant and precise Valpolicella red, which marries the Quintarelli tradition with a gourmet and digestible freshness.
Yarra Yering - Dry Red N°2 2016
A Yarra Valley red, at once fragrant, spicy and deeply savoury.
Ridge Vineyards - Lytton Springs 2022
A great blend from old Californian vines, deep and structured. The power of black fruit meets spicy freshness.
La Rioja Alta - Viña Alberdi Reserva 2021
A classic and precise Rioja Reserva, combining fruit, freshness and woody elegance.
The Wine People - Miopasso Primitivo 2023
A generous and indulgent Primitivo from Puglia, combining ripe fruit and spices in a velvety texture.
La Spinetta - Il Nero di Casanova 2021
A precise and juicy Tuscan Sangiovese, combining freshness, fine tannins, and aromatic intensity.
De Martino - Las Olvidadas 2021
A Chilean red from old vines that combines freshness, finesse, and the authenticity of Itata's forgotten grape varieties.
La Rioja Alta - Finca San Martin Crianza 2022
A precise and delicious Rioja de finca, where the freshness of Tempranillo meets the elegance of wood.
Bodegas Olivares - Tinto 2022
A generous and spicy Spanish red, which combines the lusciousness of the fruit and the freshness of the Jumilla terroir.
Innocent Bystander - Syrah 2019
A juicy and spicy Australian Syrah, carried by the freshness of the Yarra Valley.
Juan Carlos Sancha - Ad Libitum tinto 2021
A precise and fresh Rioja Alta red, which highlights the uniqueness of the Maturana Tinta on a high-altitude terroir.
Álvaro Palacios - Les Aubaguetes 2023
One of Álvaro Palacios' jewels, combining intensity, elegance and complexity.
Dominio del Challao - Angelita 2021
A Mediterranean Spanish red wine combining fruit, suppleness and freshness for a convivial tasting experience.
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.