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.
Portal del Priorat - Gotes del Montsant 2022
A generous, mineral Priorat, where ripe fruit meets the freshness of schist.
Artadi - Viñas de Gain 2021
A Rioja Alavesa Tempranillo, at once juicy, fresh and finely spiced. Elegant fruit in the service of terroir.
Tyrrell's - Hunter Valley Shiraz 2021
A fresh, savoury Hunter Valley Shiraz, carried by vivid red fruit and a spicy structure.
Errázuriz - Don Maximiano 2020
A big Chilean red from the Aconcagua Valley, combining depth, finesse, and remarkable length.
Ridge Vineyards - Pagani Ranch Zinfandel 2023
A great old-vine Zinfandel, deep and vibrant. The freshness of Sonoma Valley balances its generous body.
Cristom - Estate Syrah 2014
A high-altitude Syrah with a fresh and spicy style, combining fruit depth with elegant texture.
Hahn - Smith & Hook Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
A Californian Cabernet Sauvignon that is generous and structured, combining intense fruit, spice, and elegant oak.
Escarpment - Noir Pinot Noir 2022
A fresh, supple and intensely fragrant Martinborough Pinot Noir. A lively, savoury expression of New Zealand terroir.
Escarpment - Pahi Pinot Noir 2022
A precise and profound Pinot Noir that elegantly expresses the freshness of Te Muna Road.
De Martino - Vigno 2021
A Chilean old-vine Carignan, combining freshness, depth, and remarkable energy.
Ravenswood - Zinfandel Lodi 2022
A generous, spicy Lodi Zinfandel, supported by a fine oaky structure.
Macán - Macán 2020
A great Rioja Tempranillo, deep and silky, where controlled power and freshness move forward together.
Giannikos Winery - Pegasus 2022
A Greek red from the Peloponnese, combining mature fruit, freshness, and elegant structure.
De Alcohuaz - GRUS 2020
A Chilean high-altitude red with vibrant freshness, where Andean power meets the elegance of great granitic terroirs.
Hahn - Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
A Californian Cabernet Sauvignon combining ripe dark fruit, elegant oak, and a velvety structure.
Hartenberg - The Megan 2018
A vintage with character, combining the freshness of Stellenbosch with a silky, deep texture.
Maverick - Twins Barrel Select GSM 2021
A generous, spicy Barossa GSM, between ripe black fruit and savoury elegance.
Escarpment - Kiwa Pinot Noir 2022
A precise and elegant Pinot Noir, expressing with intensity the freshness and depth of Te Muna Road.
Vega Sicilia - Valbuena 2020
A Ribera del Duero of great precision, combining aromatic depth, balance, and elegance.
Vega Sicilia - Unico Reserva Especial Venta 2025
Unico Reserva Especial, Vega Sicilia's most timeless and complex expression, born from the blending of great vintages from Ribera del Duero.
Hahn - Boneshaker 2020
A powerful and generous Californian Zinfandel, where rich fruit combines with a velvety and warm texture.
Dominio de Pingus - Psi 2022
A precise and harmonious Ribera del Duero, finely expressing the depth of old Castilian vines.
Clos Mogador - Com Tu 2022
A high-altitude Garnacha, precise and profound, delicately expressing the freshness of La Figuera's slopes.
Gaja - Ca'Marcanda Promis 2021
A modern and harmonious Tuscan red, combining gourmet fruit, spice, and coastal freshness.
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.