Lamb has a rich and distinctive flavour and is a very versatile meat that can be matched with many red wines from all over the world. The best pairing depends on the cut, how it’s cooked and what it’s served with, so in this guide we’ve selected our favourite wines for every lamb dish.
What is the best wine with lamb?
Lamb is rich and slightly fatty, so it loves red wines with good tannins. Tannins bind with the fat in the meat, which makes the lamb feel more tender and the wine taste smoother. Here are our top picks for each style:
- Best all-rounder: Cabernet Sauvignon or a Bordeaux blend, with cassis, spice and firm tannins
- Best for pink or spring lamb: Pinot Noir, light enough not to overpower the meat
- Best for slow-cooked lamb: Grenache-based reds or a Rioja Reserva, with ripe fruit and soft spice
- Best white: Sauvignon Blanc, especially with herby dishes
- Best rosé: a dry, structured rosé, perfect with grilled lamb in summer
What wine goes with roast lamb?
Roast lamb is the classic Sunday lunch and Easter centrepiece, and it calls for full-bodied red wines. Their tannins balance the richness of the meat, while their fruit and spice enhance the dish.
Roast leg of lamb
For a classic roast leg of lamb, especially with garlic or rosemary, try one of these:
- Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux blends: perfect for medium to well-done lamb. Left Bank Bordeaux wines offer cassis, spice and oak aromas.
- Syrah/Shiraz: a Northern Rhône Syrah adds a peppery spice that pairs beautifully with lamb, while a richer Australian Shiraz is a bold, fruit-forward alternative.
- Tempranillo: a Rioja Reserva brings depth and structure, especially if the lamb is served with a wine-based sauce or gravy.
Slow-roasted lamb shoulder
Slow-roasted shoulder, especially from an older animal, develops deep, gamey flavours and a rich, fatty texture. It calls for wines with balanced tannins, fresh acidity and ideally a little bottle age.
- Grenache and GSM blends: blends of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre (aka GSM), such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape, offer ripe fruit, spice and structure, as does a McLaren Vale Grenache. Languedoc blends are great value.
- Brunello di Montalcino and Rosso di Montalcino: Sangiovese’s bright red fruit, acidity and firm tannins cut through the richness and echo the lamb’s herbal notes.
- Ribera del Duero: a Spanish alternative with bold fruit, spice and well-integrated tannins that stand up to the deep flavours of the dish.
Rack of lamb
A herb-crusted rack of lamb needs a wine that enhances its savoury notes while balancing the richness of the meat.
- Pinot Noir: silky and vibrant, with bright fruit that complements the herbs.
- Rioja and Côtes du Rhône: medium-bodied, with earthy spice and acidity that work well with the herb crust.
- Chianti: a structured choice, with acidity and herbal undertones that mirror the flavours of the dish.
- Zinfandel: a bolder option, with rich fruit and spice to contrast the savoury crust.
What wine goes with spring lamb?
Young spring lamb, often served pink at Easter, has tender meat and subtle flavours, so stay away from big, full-bodied reds. Milk-fed lamb, an even younger and more delicate meat, follows the same rule. For an Easter spring lamb, try:
- Pinot Noir: a fresh Pinot Noir from Burgundy, Germany or Oregon brings red fruit aromas, a slight earthiness and gentle tannins.
- Beaujolais: light and juicy, with soft tannins. A Beaujolais cru such as Fleurie or Morgon adds a little more depth.
- Mature Bordeaux, Burgundy or Rioja: with age, these wines develop softer tannins and complex flavours that suit delicate lamb beautifully.
- Dry rosé: refreshing, with bright berry notes that balance the subtle richness of the meat.
What wine goes with lamb chops?
Grilled lamb chops have smoky, savoury flavours that pair best with medium to full-bodied reds, with plenty of fruit, spice and balanced acidity.
- Grenache and GSM blends: ripe fruit and savoury undertones that complement the smoky char.
- Malbec: bold and smooth, with ripe berry flavours that enhance the richness of the meat.
- Chianti and Mencía: medium-bodied, with bright acidity to balance grilled lamb and Mediterranean vegetables.
- Southern Rhône and Languedoc reds: rich, spicy and earthy, a great match for grilled meat.
- Zinfandel and Syrah: fuller-bodied options with bold fruit and spice.
What wine goes with barbecued lamb?
When you’re cooking lamb on the barbecue, the best wine depends on the marinade.
Spicy rubs
Wines with ripe, sweet fruit, like a Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon, a South African Pinotage or an Australian Shiraz, balance the heat of the spices.
Herb and lemon marinades
For Greek-style lamb with herbs and lemon, choose wines with higher acidity, such as Chianti, Barbera or Xinomavro. A crisp, dry rosé also pairs well with the smoky, herbal flavours.
What wine goes with lamb shank?
Braised lamb shank is slow-cooked until the meat falls off the bone, and it pairs best with full-bodied, structured reds that match its rich, savoury depth.
- Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec: bold flavours and velvety tannins complement the intensity of the dish.
- Rioja Reserva: earthy and refined, with balanced tannins that add elegance to the pairing.
What wine goes with lamb stew and shepherd’s pie?
Simple, slow-cooked lamb dishes need soft, approachable reds that don’t overpower them. A Rhône blend such as a Côtes du Rhône Villages is a great option, with ripe fruit and gentle spice. For more ideas, have a look at our guide to hearty winter dish pairings.
What wine goes with lamb tagine?
Lamb tagine, with its mix of warm spices, dried fruit and slow-cooked richness, pairs best with rustic, balanced reds:
- Côtes du Roussillon and Languedoc reds, with ripe fruit and a hint of spice
- Young Rioja (Crianza), for its bright fruit and soft tannins
- Grenache-based reds such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which echo the warm spices of the dish
What wine goes with lamb curry?
For a fragrant lamb curry such as Rogan Josh, you need a wine with fruitiness, acidity and ideally a touch of sweetness to offset the heat of the spices.
- Off-dry Riesling or Gewürztraminer: their slight sweetness calms the heat, while their refreshing acidity cleanses the palate.
- Chilled Beaujolais: fruity and low in tannin, so it won’t clash with the spices.
- Rosé: bright berry flavours that complement the complex layers of the curry.
Avoid very tannic or high-alcohol reds here, as spicy heat makes them taste harsher.
Can you drink white wine with lamb?
Red wine is the classic choice, but white wine can work very well with lighter or herby lamb dishes. The key is to choose a white with enough freshness or texture to stand up to the meat.
- Sauvignon Blanc: fresh and herbaceous, with crisp acidity that cuts through the richness of a herb-crusted rack of lamb.
- Unoaked Chardonnay: crisp and clean, letting the flavours of delicate spring or milk-fed lamb shine.
- Off-dry Riesling or Gewürztraminer: the best whites for spiced lamb dishes and curries.
FAQ
What wine goes with lamb and mint sauce?
Mint sauce is made with vinegar and sugar, so it can make many wines taste thin or sour. Choose a red with good acidity and plenty of fruit, such as a Chianti or a Pinot Noir, and serve the sauce sparingly.
Does Merlot go with lamb?
Yes, Merlot is a great match for roast or slow-cooked lamb, thanks to its soft tannins and plum flavours. A Right Bank Bordeaux, where Merlot is the main grape, is a classic choice.
What wine goes with lamb kofta or kebabs?
Spiced, grilled lamb kofta and kebabs pair well with juicy, medium-bodied reds like Grenache or Malbec. A dry rosé is a refreshing alternative in summer.
What’s a good budget wine for lamb?
A Côtes du Rhône, a Languedoc red or a Rioja Crianza all offer great value and work with most lamb dishes. A Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon is another reliable, affordable choice for roast lamb.
