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.
Castello di Volpaia - Coltassala Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2021
A great Chianti Classico Gran Selezione combining depth, freshness and Tuscan refinement.
Glenelly Estate - Lady May Cabernet Sauvignon
The estate's great vintage, a tribute to the great Bordeaux blends
Bodega Noemia - J. Alberto 2021
An exceptional Malbec from an old vineyard from 1955
Porseleinberg - Syrah 2021
Recognized worldwide as one of the most beautiful Syrahs in the world
Glenelly Estate - Estate Reserve Red 2017
The elegance of Stellenbosch terroir in every sip
Glenelly Estate - Glass Collection Syrah 2021
A South African Syrah between power and elegance
Domaine Edmond Monnot - Maranges 1er Cru Clos de la Boutière Rouge 2023
A Maranges premier cru where cherry and violet dominate the oak.
Domaine du Four Bassot - Mercurey 1er Cru Les Croichots Rouge 2022
A Côte Chalonnaise premier cru all in silk, redcurrant and liquorice on the finish.
Argiano - Solengo 2021
A dense Super Tuscan, blackcurrant and dark chocolate, built for the cellar.
Valdrinal - 24 Riserva 2019
Long-aged Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, blueberry, leather and cocoa.
Castellare Di Castellina - Coniale Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Cabernet Sauvignon as seen from Castellina: blackcurrant, graphite and black pepper.
Doña Paula - Alluvia Malbec 2019
A single-parcel Malbec from the Uco Valley: dense, floral and built to last.
Cayuse - God Only Knows 2018
Grenache planted on rolled pebbles, rose petal and garrigue, a voluptuous palate.
Dalla Valle - Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Blackcurrant, black cherry and cedar: a Napa Cabernet with dense, classy tannins.
Doña Paula - Seleccion De Bodega Malbec 2019
Doña Paula's bodega selection: deep Malbec, leather and violet.
Doña Paula - Los Indios Malbec 2018
Cool-climate Malbec from El Cepillo, pepper and violet on a firm frame.
Luna Sicana - Nero d'Avola "A Zita cu Zitu" 2021
A Nero d'Avola on the freshness and minerality of the Sicilian terroir
Tenuta San Guido - Sassicaia 2022
One of the most exceptional wine creations of the century
Catena - Malbec 2023
A high-altitude Malbec, deep and precise, between generous black fruit and mineral freshness.
Feudi Del Pisciotto - Cerasuolo Di Vittoria G.Valli Nero d’Avola 2020
Blackberry, pepper and cocoa: Sicilian Nero d'Avola at its most structured.
Altos las Hormigas - Malbec Reserva 2020
A terroir Malbec, precise and vibrant. Limestone freshness frames deep fruit.
Sine Qua Non - Distenta I Grenache 2019
A wine that surprises with its controlled power, its deep aromas of black fruits and spices, and its texture that combines opulence and elegance.
Sine Qua Non - The Hated Hunter Syrah 2017
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.