What wine goes with lamb? Pairings for leg, shoulder and chops
168 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.
Giannikos Winery - Lion 2024
An organic Agiorgitiko from Nemea, opulent and spicy, a tribute to the lion of Heracles' first labour.
Planeta - La Segreta Nero d'Avola 2024
An organic Nero d'Avola from Menfi, juicy and indulgent, between ripe plum, cocoa and sweet spices.
Monte Santoccio - Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2020
A classic Amarone from Fumane, dried on racks until January, dense, velvety and balanced.
Monte Santoccio - Santocciorosso 2023
A red from Fumane off the beaten track, blending dried Corvina with international grape varieties.
Monte Santoccio - Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso 2022
A Ripasso from Fumane refermented on Amarone pomace, full-bodied, velvety and beautifully fresh.
La Spinetta - Barbera d'Alba Gallina 2023
A single-plot Barbera d'Alba from the Gallina cru in Neive, juicy, lively and highly precise.
La Spinetta - Langhe Nebbiolo 2023
The Nebbiolo from the hills of Neive by La Spinetta, elegant, fresh and with velvety tannins.
Agriverde - Riseis Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2023
An organic Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, dark and generous, aged in stainless steel and concrete without oak.
Terroir Al Limit - Les Tosses 2021
The grand cru Les Tosses: a century-old Carignan from the scorched hills of Torroja, powerful and luminous.
Terroir Al Limit - Les Manyes 2023
The grand cru Les Manyes: a Garnacha Peluda perched at 800 m above Scala Dei, airy and intense.
Terroir Al Limit - Dits del Terra 2023
A nearly century-old, south-facing Carignan from Torroja, elegant, floral and spicy, with a vertical character.
Terroir Al Limit - Terra de Cuques Negre 2022
Grenache and Carignan on the llicorella of Torroja: a juicy, precise and vibrant Priorat.
Terroir Al Limit - Arbossar 2023
A century-old Carignan from a north-facing slope in Torroja, dense, taut and marked by llicorella.
Terroir Al Limit - Terroir Històric Negre 2023
A red from the historic villages of Priorat, juicy and vibrant, with the smoky minerality of llicorella.
Pegaso - Arrebatacapas 2022
A plot of Grenache planted in 1953 on the schist of Cebreros, at the heart of the Sierra de Gredos.
Bodega Lanzaga - Tabuérniga 2022
A valley of terraces in Labastida cultivated for 1,300 years, for a vertical, pure and mineral Rioja.
Bodega Lanzaga - Corriente 2021
A Rioja from Rioja Alavesa grown on high-altitude limestone, aged in barrels and large oak vats for precise fruit.
Telmo Rodriguez - Al-Muvedre 2025
An old bush-vine Monastrell from Villena, generous, fresh and true to the Mediterranean spirit.
Bodega Lanzaga - LZ 2024
The village wine of Lanziego, fermented in small concrete vats in the spirit of 1920s Riojas.
Sara I René Barbier - Sindicat La Figuera 2024
A high-altitude Grenache from La Figuera, fresh and floral, carried by the village's old vines.
Huber - Pinot Noir Alte Reben 2025
An organic Pinot Noir from the Traisental, concentrated and clean, with notes of raspberry, thyme and black tea.
Te Mata Estate - Coleraine 2021
Te Mata's emblematic Bordeaux blend, from the oldest vines in the Havelock Hills.
Te Mata Estate - Bullnose Syrah 2019
A Syrah from Hawke's Bay grown on old iron-rich soils, floral, spicy and velvety.
Boekenhoutskloof - The Chocolate Block 2023
A Syrah-led blend from the Swartland, dense and velvety, now a South African classic.
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.